Climate and Humidity tests
Climate and temperature tests are essential for ensuring the reliability and durability of products. At The Sebert Group, these tests are crucial in guaranteeing that a product performs well under various conditions.
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Climate and temperature simulation testing
An overview of tests performed for you by Sebert Group:
These tests focus on the effects of heat and cold on products:
- High-temperature tests: Exposure to extreme heat to evaluate how a product performs under high-temperature conditions.
- Low-temperature tests: Exposure to cold conditions to assess performance in low-temperature environments.
- Thermal shock tests: Rapid transitions between high and low temperatures to determine how a product reacts to sudden temperature changes.
- Cyclic temperature tests: Repeated exposure to temperature variations to simulate fatigue or identify defects.
- Storage at extreme temperatures: Testing how a product behaves during prolonged exposure to consistent high or low temperatures.
Standard
- ISO 16750-4: Tests for environmental conditions of electronic components in vehicles, including temperature.
- IEC 60068-2-1: Low-temperature tests (Test A: Cold).
- IEC 60068-2-2: High-temperature tests (Test B: Dry heat).
- IEC 60068-2-14: Thermal shock tests and temperature cycles.
- IEC 60068-2-33: Change of temperature tests.
- MIL-STD-810H: American military standard for temperature tests, thermal shocks, and cyclic tests.
- ASTM D5374: Standard test method for thermal stability.
- DIN EN 60068-2-38: Cyclic temperature and humidity tests.
Tests focused on the effects of humid environments:
- Constant humidity: Products are exposed to a fixed humidity level (e.g., 85% RH) at various temperatures.
- Cyclic humidity: Testing products under fluctuating humidity levels, often combined with temperature changes.
- Condensation tests: Assessing how products handle condensation formation.
Standard
- EC 60068-2-30: Cyclic humidity tests.
- IEC 60068-2-56: Constant humidity tests.
- ISO 6270-1: Test methods for moisture and water resistance of coatings (constant humidity conditions).
- MIL-STD-810H: Also applied for humidity testing in military contexts.
- ASTM D2247: Standard practice for exposure to constant humidity.
- ASTM G85: Modified salt spray tests, relevant for humidity.
Tests focused on the effects of freezing and thawing:
- Ice formation tests: Evaluating how products manage ice formation on surfaces.
- Thaw cycles: Repeated freezing and thawing of a product to identify cracks, leaks, or other defects.
Standard
- IEC 60068-2-14: Methods for rapid temperature changes.
- MIL-STD-810H: Freezing and thawing under extreme conditions.
- ISO 19432-1: Standards for equipment tested under freezing and thawing conditions.
Take the next step in product reliability
Are you curious about how our climate and temperature tests can enhance your products? Or would you like to perform a test using one of our climate chambers? Get in touch with The Sebert Group. Our experts are ready to answer your questions.
Specifications of Testing Equipment in Our Facility
Our CTS climate chamber handles a wide temperature range. It can perform temperature tests from -70°C to +180°C, with a temperature rise rate of 3.5°C per minute. Climate tests ranging from 5°C to 90°C can be combined with humidity levels between 10% and 98%.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 650 x 720 x 750 mm (W x D x H)
- Weight: 150 kg
- Temperature change: 3.5°C per minute
- Temperature range: -70°C to +180°C
- Humidity range: 10% to 98%
Our Weiss climate chamber also covers a wide temperature range. It performs tests from -40°C to +180°C, with a temperature rise rate of 3°C per minute. Climate tests from 5°C to 90°C can be paired with humidity levels between 10% and 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
- Humidity range: 10% to 98%
The Weiss climate chamber is integrated with a large hydraulic vibration table (150x150 cm) from Lansmont. For instance, we can simulate transportation conditions, such as a pallet being shipped to Hong Kong, by combining environmental factors like +40°C and 95% humidity with the vibration profile of a truck. It can also simulate low-pressure environments, such as those encountered during air travel. Our advanced equipment enables almost any dynamic simulation.
Specifications:
- Internal dimensions of the climate chamber: 200 x 300 x 190 cm
- Vibration table dimensions: 150 x 150 x 190 cm
- Weight: 1300 kg
- Temperature change: 1°C per minute
- Temperature range: -40°C to +70°C
- Humidity range: 10% to 95%
Accelerated testing
Suppose you have a product that is used for two years (730 days) in an environment ranging between 5°C and 40°C, combined with a humidity level of 30% to 95%. There are three ways to perform accelerated testing
This assumes a linear factor of approximately fourteen. This means that two years of temperature fluctuations between 5°C and 40°C, combined with higher temperatures and humidity, can be simulated in 730/14 = 52 days of testing.
A second and better approach is to assume the product is exposed to a maximum of 40°C for two years. The progression is not linear but follows a log-normal or even double-log distribution. The Arrhenius equation can be used here. If we calculate back (only for temperature), we must determine the AF (acceleration factor) at 40°C, which is 4.7. Accelerated testing would therefore take 730/4.7 = 155 days. If you increase the testing temperature, for example to 60°C, the AF becomes 27.7. This means testing would only take 26 days. This could be a realistic scenario, as the temperature would likely fluctuate around 20°C.
The third method is to consider humidity only. In general, this does not make much difference for 80% and 95% humidity levels. For this, we use the Hallberg and Peck method, which results in an AF of 1.58 (1.1875^2.26). This is not truly an accelerated method. Even when the Shirley method is applied, the AF would be 2.21 (1.185^4.64). If you focus solely on humidity, the testing period would be 330 days.
We recommend using the Arrhenius method, which suggests increasing the temperature from 40°C to 60°C for a minimum of 26 days of testing.
5 reasons why companies choose to carry out Climate and temperature tests
Climate and temperature tests help simulate extreme conditions, such as:
- Heatwaves
- Cold spells
- Rapid temperature fluctuations
This is especially important for products used in challenging environments, such as aerospace, automotive, or the medical industry.
Exposing products to temperature variations and climate conditions can identify weaknesses. As a result:
- The lifespan of products can be extended
- Production issues can be detected at an early stage
Companies like The Sebert Group conduct these tests to comply with:
- International quality standards (such as ISO certifications)
- Customer requirements and regulations
By performing climate tests, the likelihood of failures in real-world use is significantly reduced. This saves costs, prevents reputational damage, and protects users from defects.
The Sebert Group provides expertise to optimize products during development. This includes:
- Testing prototypes
- Conducting validation tests for mass production
Do you have any questions?
Want to learn more about our testing methods or specific tests? Our experts are here to help with any inquiries you might have. Reach out today and find out how the Sebert Group can support you in delivering unmatched quality and reliability.
