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Introduction
This Article takes an In-depth look at Environmental Test
Chambers
You will learn more about topics such as:
What is an Environmental Test Chamber?
How Does an Environmental Test Chamber Work?
Applications of Environmental Testing Chambers
Types of Environmental Testing Chambers
Components of an Environmental Test Chamber
Benefits of an Environmental Testing Chamber
What is an Environmental Test Chamber?
An environmental test chamber is a chamber that creates
atmospheric conditions that can influence the performance,
function, and capabilities of assemblies and components. It is a
sophisticated instrument that provides data in regard to how a
product will react under normal and extraordinary use.
Researchers use environmental test chambers to create
conditions, such as high humidity, temperature variances, and
high or low pressure, to closely examine the reaction of a
product.
Environmental testing
ensures companies of the quality of their products. Samples are
subjected to various tests to measure their reliability and
performance. Results can determine if a product has the
potential of corroding and rusting or if it produces some form
of emissions.
Data accumulated from an environmental test chamber can help:
Analyze the strengths and limitations of a product.
Estimate the lifespan of a product.
Evaluate how a product will react in specific conditions
through minute control.
Determine viability materials for manufacturing a product.
How Does an Environmental Test Chamber Work?
To create a range of conditions,
test chambers
use heaters and refrigerator systems to increase or decrease
temperatures. Humidity is created by steam generators to either
add or remove moisture. Air dryers can add to humidity ranges to
significantly lower the humidity range. Salt water environments
are created with a salt spray solution that is forced into the
chamber from a
compressed air
tank.
There are multiple types of temperature testing with a different
chamber for each type. Steady testing chambers maintain the same
conditions over a long period of time. They have precise
temperature control to ensure accuracy of the final readings.
Thermal cycling chambers cycle through preset temperatures to
test an item at a number of different temperatures. The cycling
process eliminates the need for an operator to adjust and change
temperatures as well as prevents any uncertainty in the test
results. Since the rate of change is crucial, thermal cycling
chambers give researchers the ability to design temperature
gradients.
A key feature for
environmental test chambers
is the range of temperatures they can create. Most chambers have
temperatures that range from -80°C or -112°F to
+300°C or +672°F. Precision and accuracy in temperature
settings is important and has to closely approximate the desired
testing temperature.
Applications of Environmental Test Chambers
Environmental test chambers test products for a variety of
industries including the auto, electronics, medical,
construction, cosmetics, and many others. They are essential to
the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industry since those
industries are required to abide by FDA regulations.
In microbiology and biology, chambers enable researchers to
monitor the effects of humidity, light, heat, and other
conditions on plants, insects, bacteria, and other
microorganisms. Cells, tissues, organs, and plant growth can be
closely examined for climatic influences.
Aerospace uses chambers to test products in a thermal vacuum and
create conditions to approximate outer space. This allows
producers and scientists to know whether instruments can
withstand the absence of an environment and extreme pressure. A
critical part of aerospace testing is astronaut support systems
such as oxygen supply. Cryogenic equipment can test the effects
of extreme low pressure and great heights.
The auto industry tests the effects of hot roads and extreme
exposure to the sun. They use driven chambers to create real
world conditions of humidity, wind speed, and temperature to
check cars under normal and extreme conditions.
A key factor for food products is their shelf life.
Test chambers
are able to accelerate shelf life conditions by simulating
degradation rates and stability changes that are typical in
storage conditions. Chemical, microbiological, and physical
changes are measured at time intervals until the product
degrades. Test chambers can identify food safety and storage
conditions to eliminate problems in product development and the
viability of
packaging.
Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers
Types of Environmental Testing Chambers
There is a wide range of testing chambers that are designed to
create the requirements of specific environments. The most
common types of test chambers are humidity and temperature,
which can be separate or combined. Some of the other types of
chambers are altitude, climate, cryogenic, Halt and Hass,
pressure, remote, spray, vacuum, and stability to name a few.
Agree Chambers
Agree chambers
combine temperature and humidity testing with vibration testing.
They create rapid temperature changes with varying humidity. The
vibration test measures a product's reaction when being shipped
or moved to determine if a product can endure being transported.
Altitude Chambers
The aircraft industry uses
altitude chambers
to train pilots and give them the experience of oxygen
deprivation or hypoxia. The chambers help improve training
sessions since protective attire is not required and removes the
need to take trainees to high altitudes, which saves money on
training. Altitude chambers, hypobaric chambers, can create
pressure and gas conditions at different altitudes to determine
adjustments and changes to a product’s design.
Climate Chambers
Climate chambers
create different climatic conditions to see the effects on
products. They can prepare a product for further testing or do
the test. Climate chambers create conditions such as thermal
shock, extreme temperatures, altitude, humidity, radiation,
corrosion, and many others. They can be small enough to sit on a
counter or large enough to walk in and use video feeds to
observe the test sample during the testing process.
Cryogenic Chambers
As the name cryogenic implies,
cryogenic chambers
create conditions with extremely low temperatures. Using liquid
nitrogen or helium, a normal cryogenic chamber can reach
temperatures as low as -238°F or -150°C. Use of a
cryogenic chamber is time consuming and costly since the
temperature has to be lowered very slowly to avoid products
experiencing thermal shock.
Dry Rooms
Dry rooms, sometimes called dehumidification dry rooms or are a type of
environmental test chamber. Inside dry rooms, humidity levels do
not rise above a dew point of 14? (-10?), or humidity levels
down to less than 1% relative humidity. They are insulated,
hermetically sealed and do not allow for any leaks. Because they
are hermetically sealed, they consistently maintain not only a
low humidity but also good particle filtration. Dry rooms are
most commonly used in: the fabrication of medical devices,
lithium battery manufacturing, automotive hybrid manufacturing
and pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging.
Environmental Chambers
Environmental chambers, also frequently called environmental test chambers and
sometimes called climatic or climate chambers, are test chambers
that assess product quality and reliability. In order to do so,
chambers replicate certain environmental conditions within an
enclosed space, where they monitor and evaluate the long term
impact of these conditions on the product inside. Common
environmental conditions that chambers simulate include normal
and extreme pressures, altitudes, temperatures and humidities.
By subjecting products and equipment to extreme environmental
conditions and changes, manufacturers are able to catch and
correct weaknesses and flaws before they are sent on to their
chosen markets.
Environmental Testing
Environmental testing
is the measurement of the performance of equipment under
specified environmental conditions. The chambers simulate a full
range of temperature testing and humidity testing conditions.
Some chambers even account for corrosion through the
introduction of salt spray into the chamber. Environmental
testing chambers include salt spray test chamber, high and
low-temperature test chamber, constant temperature and humidity
test chamber, ultraviolet aging test chamber, xenon lamp aging
test chamber, ozone aging test chamber and ovens. The main
function of an environmental test chamber is to see how products
handle operating in various environments.
HALT and HASS Testing Chambers
HALT and HASS testing
is performed to determine design weaknesses, improve product
reliability, and reduce life cycle costs. The names of the
testings are anagrams for Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT)
and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS). During a HALT
test, a product is stressed beyond its design parameters to
identify weaknesses and flaws during the design phase. It is
normally repeated several times and the product is exposed to a
wide assortment of environments. HASS testing is done during the
production phase to determine flaws in manufacturing methods
using the same stress tests that are used during HALT testing.
Humidity Chambers
Humidity chambers
create humid conditions to determine a product's possible
corrosion, warping, biological growths, and cracking potential.
The data gained from the tests allows designers to develop
reliable and cost effective solutions. A wide range of humid
conditions can be created from 10% to 100%.
Pressure Chambers
Pressure chambers
test products under varying forms of extreme pressure and are
able to withstand high and low pressure conditions. The
operation of the chamber has to be monitored carefully to avoid
explosions and malfunctions. They can simulate static and
changing pressures at high altitudes and pressure at various
ocean depths. Atmospheric pressures in the chamber can reach as
high as 60,000 psi or be reduced to create a vacuum.
Refurbished Chambers
Since test chambers are a long way from a used car, they require
a meticulously detailed process to make them sufficiently
capable of performing their functions. When a chamber is
refurbished, it is cleansed of any chemicals, liquids, and
hardware, actions that are designed to guarantee safe transport
and provide a first assessment for the refurbishing team. The
data collected is helpful in determining the viability of the
used chamber. A
refurbished test chamber
is much less than a new one and provides the same type of data.
Remote Conditioners
Remote conditioners
are designed to reach large products or ones that are hard to
reach. They have flexible temperature settings for use in
secluded locations. As with many chambers, remote conditioners
can create temperature variations and humid conditions as well
as cost effective testing solutions.
Salt Spray Chambers
Salt spray chambers, known as salt fog testing, test the corrosion resistance of
the sample. A test item is placed in the test chamber and
subjected to highly corrosive solutions applied by a pressure
nozzle. The purpose of the testing is to provide data regarding
the durability of a surface or a product’s coating. The longer a
product lasts without corroding, the more durable it is.
Regardless of the severity of salt spray testing, the results of
testing cannot be used to predict a product's reaction to an
actual environment.
Stability Chambers
Stability chambers
provide a stable, controlled environment where all variables are
held constant as others are modified to test specific effects.
They are primarily used to test temperature and humidity ranges.
One important function of stability chambers is determining
shelf life, which is essential to the pharmaceutical industry.
Stability test chambers maintain a set controlled temperature
and humidity using heat, cooling, and water to imitate the
conditions within a specific space.
Heated air and steam are sent into a stability chamber at a
constant and continuous rate. The quality and efficiency of the
chamber determines how long it takes to reach the desired
conditions. Once the levels are reached, they are maintained for
extended periods of time, which can vary from days to weeks to
months.
Aside from hot conditions, stability chambers can create cold
conditions using fans and cold air.
The International Council of Harmonization of Technical
Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) has
developed guidelines for stability testing that all
manufacturers closely follow. Guidelines Q1A through Q1F give
specific detailed standards for stability testing, which are
followed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European
Commission (EC), and Health Canada.
Photostability Chambers
Photostability chambers are used mainly for the testing of drugs
when they are exposed to white and ultraviolet light. They are a
type of stability chamber that creates lighting emissions that
meet ICH Q1B standards, which requires that light exposure must
be maintained for 1.2 million lux hours, the standard
illumination or brightness of light. Unlike normal stability
chambers that will test a material for long periods of time,
photostability chambers tests are completed in one week.
Temperature Chambers
Temperature chamber
are the most common type of environmental testing chamber. They
create various temperatures to simulate the types of
temperatures a product will encounter as well as gauge and
evaluate the product’s reaction to different temperatures. A
temperature chamber may also be used for storage for products
that require a stable environment.
Test Chamber Repair
A testing chamber, regardless of its size, is a very precise and
delicate piece of equipment that needs to be maintained and
repaired
in order to provide accurate and complete data. A purchase
agreement for most testing chambers includes a schedule for
regular maintenance and upkeep. During each cycle, a trained
technician does a full assessment of the chamber as well as an
evaluation of its components and readings. These timed repairs
enable the technician to assess the need for upgrades or
replacement of components.
Test Chambers
The term "test chamber" refers to any type of contained space within which
different products are placed and tested for their responses to
and the long-term effects of any number of changes. Generally,
test chambers replicate environmental conditions that a product
will likely encounter at some point while working in its
intended setting. In this way, they allow a manufacturer to
evaluate the product’s durability and general quality, and to
recognize and correct potential malfunctions and flaws before
the product reaches the consumer market. In addition, through
the use of test chambers, manufacturers can gauge and increase
the lifespan of their products. Test chambers are popular in a
number of industries, including, but not limited to: aerospace,
automotives, consumer products, electronics, packaging,
pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.
Thermal Shock Chambers
Thermal chambers
are a form of temperature chamber. Their purpose is to simulate
conditions that have sudden or drastic changes in temperature
and measure the amount of stress and strain such conditions
produce on a product. Liquid or air are used to create
temperature variances. Test items can be immersed in non-toxic,
noncombustible, and low viscosity liquids or placed between
compartments to produce temperature variations. The three zone
method returns the item to room temperature between testings.
The type of method depends on the product.
Vacuum Chambers
Vacuum chambers
remove air and pressure from a sealed compartment to evaluate
the effects of a vacuum on materials. The testing of products in
a vacuum is a requirement of regulations related to aerospace
and defense industries. Spacecraft engineers use vacuum testing
for the electronics, circuits, lenses, filters, and structural
materials of a spacecraft. Vacuum chambers are also used to
remove air bubbles from plastic resin that is about to be
inserted into a mold.
Walk in Chambers
Walk in test chambers
are designed for the testing and storing of large products. They
are large enough for a person to walk inside and vary
significantly in size with some being the size of a small closet
while others can be as big as a
room. Walk in chambers can perform any of the functions of other
environmental testing chambers from thermal shock and salt spray
to humidity and temperature testing.
Welded Chambers
Welded chambers are welded together to provide a better seal and
be able to withstand higher humidity and temperature ranges and
high altitude conditions. They are more expensive than typical
chambers because of the extra construction. Welded chambers are
used for conditions that require extreme temperatures up to
93°C with high humidity and rapid temperature fluctuations.
The strength and durability of welded environmental chambers
makes it possible to use them for high altitude testing. They
are constructed as one piece to form a hermetically sealed
enclosure with a heavy duty steel structural frame. Regardless
of their advanced construction, welded chambers can be adapted
to meet the needs of specific testing processes.
Reach in Chambers
Reach in chambers are larger than benchtop test chambers and are
normally mobile with casters or wheels. Like benchtop test
chambers, reach in chambers have a small footprint and take up
less space than larger environmental test chambers with sizes
varying from 10 cubic feet up to over 60 cubic feet.
Regardless of their smaller size, reach in chambers can create
conditions with a temperature range of -68°C up to 180°C
with an accuracy of ±1.0°C. What makes reach in chambers so
valuable is their ability to simulate any form of
environmental conditions
.
Components of an Environmental Test Chamber
The first consideration when choosing an environmental testing
chamber is selecting one that will last, which can be ensured by
having an understanding of the chambers internal components.
Since different types of chambers perform different functions,
there can be a variation in the types of features and structure.
Regardless of these differences, all test chambers must have
certain basic components to meet regulatory requirements.
Internal Workspace:
Internal walls need to be seam welded to reduce any chance of
leaks. Riveted walls do not completely seal and will leak heat
and humidity.
Door:
The door should have some form of
gasket. The best and most common form is silicone based since
silicone can withstand changes in humidity and temperature,
which is important when carbon dioxide and nitrogen are used.
Exterior:
The outer body of the chamber should be welded using cold
rolled heavy gauge steel since steel maintains its shape and
is durable. To increase the chambers longevity and endurance,
a powder coated finish should be applied, which will protect
against rust and corrosion.
Machine Components:
The chambers‘ intended applications affects the type of
heaters, coolers, condensers, evaporators, controllers,
sensors and other modules used depending on the kinds of
environments to be produced. Heaters, compressors,
refrigeration units, dryers, and other equipment have to
comply with the regulations established by the International
Standards Organization (ISO) as well as national regulatory
agencies.
Insulation:
The inner and outer walls of the chamber vary according to the
application but have to be insulated. The insulation material
should have a very low K factor of fiberglass or mineral wool
and be fire retardant, non-corrosive, and meet health and
safety standards.
Sensors and Monitors:
Older testing chambers have a simple on and off switch. All
recent models have digital monitoring sensors and data
recording equipment. Digital controllers allow for manually
creating set points and making adjustments, which correct
errors and disruptions. Sensors should be resistance
temperature detectors
or 100 ohm platinum ones for the most accuracy.
Computer Interface:
The computer interface allows for a Mbyte data transfer rate.
Circular chart recording offers real time data collection and
documents regarding the testing process and is connected
directly to the controller.
Safety Features:
Each testing chamber should have a set of safety features that
include high temperature failsafe control, mechanical heat
fuse, high temp limiter, a
noise reduction system, and an alternate power source.
How to Choose an Environmental Test Chamber
Environmental test chambers are a valuable tool that can ensure
the quality of a product and its usefulness. The wide selection
of types of environmental test chambers necessitates that the
chamber to be purchased be carefully selected such that it
exactly fits testing needs. Buying a small economical one may be
beneficial as a cost savings but may not be robust enough to
meet testing demands while purchasing a large chamber may seem
ideal but be too complex for the needed tests.
Selecting the correct environmental test chamber to meet the
demands of a product and supplying insightful data can be a huge
benefit for R and D and product sales. The items to be tested
and the types of necessary tests to be performed are the
essential factors in choosing the best test chamber for the job.
Test chamber selection criteria include:
Cost - As with all industrial purchases, cost compared to
benefits is one of the first considerations when planning to
purchase an environmental test chamber. Depending on the needs
of an organization, the initial cost of an environmental test
chamber may be amortized over its many years of service. Of
the different types of environmental test chambers, welded
test chambers are the most expensive and are the most robust
with a wide array of testing features.
Capabilities - Every test chamber manufacturer supplies reams
of data regarding the quality of their products and the tests
the products can perform. They supply training, installation,
and support to ensure customer satisfaction.
Controller - The controller and its use is critical for
analyzing test results, setting alerts, and specifying test
conditions. Modern controllers have a computer interface with
an LCD screen that provides instantaneous data.
Size - There are several factors that are related to the size
of an environmental test chamber, which include the size of
the item to be tested as well as whether the chamber will be
bench top, reach in, or walk in and the available footprint.
Power - Various environmental test chambers have different
power demands with large chambers having the highest demands.
Power also is a factor that helps determine where the chamber
will be located since being close to a power source can save
on the cost of installation.
Options - One of the factors that differentiates environmental
test chambers is the number of options they offer. The choice
of options makes it possible to customize an environmental
test chamber to exactly meet the needs of the testing
conditions. Modern environmental test chambers have a computer
interface that allows users to check the status of a test from
any location.
Options include:
Various types of viewing windows
Chamber interior lighting to observe products
Exceptionally tight seal for non-welded environmental chambers
Emergency shutoff
General purpose interface bus
Ethernet
Shelves
Remote control and interface
Flooring
Benefits of an Environmental Testing Chamber:
Environmental testing chambers have become commonplace in modern
manufacturing. They provide producers with data to ensure that
the products they put on the market meet the needs of consumers.
In space exploration, environmental pollution, and air travel,
testing chambers provide valuable data for the protection of
people and the environment. Listed below are some of their other
benefits.
Design Validation
Ensures that a product will perform in a normal environment. It
is specification driven and can be completed in the R and D
phase of product design to produce a robust product.
Product Validation
Testing guarantees that the product meets the requirements,
specifications, and regulations for which it is intended.
ESS (Environmental Stress Screening)
Defects and errors in a product are discovered early in the
design phase to prevent disastrous product failure.
Product Life Cycle Testing
The product is placed in real world conditions to predict its
life span.
Climate Detection
A product may be produced to match the conditions of the
manufacturing environment but not meet climatic conditions
outside those conditions. The convenience of testing chambers
makes it possible to create all varieties of environments of any
location in the world.
Reliability
The modern consumer demands that products have endurance and
last. To prevent product failures and recall, testing chambers
can put a product through the most extreme conditions to
guarantee it will last.
Safety
The worst possible situation for any producer can be finding out
that their product is unsafe and dangerous. Such occurrences can
be a public relations nightmare. By using a testing chamber
prior to production, violations of safety standards can be
caught at the early stages of product development and prevented.
Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers
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