Abstract: A thermal shock insert or adaptor is used with an environmental chamber to provide a facility for conducting thermal shock testing. The thermal shock adaptor has a cabinet defining an interior specimen chamber. A chamber opening is provided through the cabinet and a specimen platform which is movable relative to the cabinet is provided to receive and support a test specimen and to move the specimen through the chamber opening, between a first position in which the specimen is contained within the specimen chamber and a second position in which the specimen is contained within the environmental chamber with which the thermal shock adaptor is used. The thermal shock adaptor is also provided with a high temperature plenum, heating coils, and a high temperature controller, all operatively connected with the specimen chamber to maintain the specimen chamber at a selected temperature in accordance with predetermined specifications.