Climate and temperature tests

During the execution of surroundings tests, a product or packaging may be exposed to controlled climate conditions in order to judge the performance of the test object. Climate tests can be executed by themselves or combined with a series of other conditions, such as mechanical load, vibrations, shocks, UV, pressure and many more.

Climate simulation test

Temperature and air humidity play an important role during transport, storage and lifespan. Air humidity may cause premature damage to products or packaging. Climate tests determine the suitability of components, equipment or other objects for the use with transport and storage in high air humidity conditions (think about at least 99% air humidity). The duration of the test varies, depending on the circumstances, from a few days to several weeks.

Expedited testing (Case)

Suppose you have a product to be used for two years (730 days) between 5 °C and 40 °C (combined with an air humidity between 30% and 95%). There are three ways to execute expedited testing.

1)    Using a standard acceleration factor. This will assume a linear factor of approximately fourteen. It means that we can simulate temperature fluctuations between 5 °C and 40 °C with higher temperatures and air humidity and test for 730/14=52 days.

2)    A second and better approach is to assume that the product will be exposed to 40 °C for a maximum of two years. The curve is not linear, but log-normal or even double-log distributed. For this purpose, the equation of Arrhenius may be used. Calculating only backwards (for just temperature), the AF at 40 °C must be determined. This is 4,7. Expedited, this will be 730/4,7=155 days of testing. Using higher temperatures for expedited testing, 60 °C for example, the AF will become 27,7. It means we would need to test for 26 days. This could be a realistic scenario, as temperatures may fluctuate around 20 °C.

3)    The third method is to assume only moisture. In general, 80% or 95% will not make a difference. We will be using the method of Hallberg and Peck. You will then arrive at an AF of 1,58 (1.1875^2,26), not truly an expedited method. Even using the Shirley-method, you may assume the AF to be 2,21 (1.185^4,64). Using moisture only, you will need 330 days of testing.

We advise the use of the Arrhenius method, an increase in temperature from 40 °C to 60 °C and a minimum of 26 days of testing.

Climatic cabinet

Using our Weiss climatic cabinet, we are able to handle a wide range of temperatures. Temperature tests of minus 40 to plus 180 degrees Celsius are possible with an increase in temperature of three degrees per minute. Climate tests of 5 to 90 degrees Celsius can be combined with an air humidity percentage of 10% to 98%.

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 530 x 430 x 660 mm
  • Weight: 150 kg
  • Temperature change: 3 °C per minute
  • Temperature range: -40 °C to +180 °C
  • Air humidity: 10% to 95%

Climatic chamber

Our Weiss climatic chamber is combined with a large, Lansmont hydraulic vibration table (150x150cm). For example, if you transport a pallet to Hong Kong, we can simultaneously simulate environmental conditions of +40 degrees Celsius, an air humidity percentage of 95% and a vibration profile of a truck. It is also possible to offer negative pressure (in conjunction with all of the above) to simulate a flight. Using advanced equipment, almost any dynamic simulation is possible.

Specifications:

  • Inside dimensions climatic chamber: 200 x 300 x 190 cm
  • Dimensions vibration table: 150 x 150 x 190 cm
  • Weight: 1300 kg
  • Temperature change: 1°C per minute
  • Temperature range: -40°C to +70°C
  • Air humidity: 10% to 95%
  • Contact us

Do you have questions about our testing methods? Or are you interested in having a test performed using our climatic chamber? Please contact us. The Sebert Trillingstechniek team will be happy to be of assistance.