Vacuum testing
Pressure changes can occur during air transport or mountain transit, potentially affecting sealed packaging or airtight products. For example, in aircraft cargo holds (excluding military flights), reduced air pressure can create a vacuum effect. Similarly, mountain transport often leads to significant pressure drops. These fluctuations may damage your product or packaging.
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Types of Vacuum tests
There are several types of tests that are performed to evaluate products and packaging under vacuum and pressure conditions.
These tests depend on the application, the environment in which the product will be used, and the potential risks the product may encounter.
- Leak detection: Identifies leaks in sealed systems, packaging, or enclosures. This is crucial for ensuring product integrity and functionality.
- Burst pressure testing: Determines the maximum pressure a product, component, or packaging can withstand before failure.
- Low pressure simulation: Simulates high-altitude conditions, such as those encountered during air transport or in aerospace applications.
- Moisture and condensation analysis: Evaluate how products respond to vacuum conditions combined with moisture or condensation buildup, which is essential for maintaining durability and reliability.
- Altitude testing: Simulates reduced atmospheric pressure at high altitudes, such as during airplane transport or mountain transit.
- Pressure and temperature cycling: Combines pressure variations with temperature changes to test material resilience under extreme conditions.
- Humidity and pressure testing: Examines the combined effects of humidity and pressure changes, often critical for sensitive materials and electronics.
- Vacuum packaging validation: Verifies the integrity of vacuum-sealed packaging under transport and storage conditions. This is particularly important for pharmaceutical, food, and medical products.
- Aerospace simulation: Tests materials and systems under extreme vacuum conditions, simulating environments encountered in space.
- Pressure decay testing: Monitors pressure over time to detect leaks or changes in sealed systems.
- Repeated pressure/vacuum cycles: Subjects products to multiple cycles of vacuum and pressure to evaluate their durability and long-term performance. This test is particularly relevant for components exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions.
Standards
ASTM D6653:
- Simulating low-pressure conditions during air transport.
ASTM F2096:
- Detecting microleaks in flexible packaging via vacuum chambers.
ISO 16495:
- Pressure differential testing for transport packaging.
IEC 60068-2-13:
- Testing electronics for high-altitude or vacuum conditions.
ISO 80369:
- Verifying leakage in medical connectors under vacuum.
ASTM E493:
- Equipment evaluation under vacuum conditions.
ASTM F88:
- Seal strength testing for vacuum applications.
RTCA DO-160 (Section 4):
- Low-pressure simulation for aviation equipment.
MIL-STD-810 Method 500:
- Altitude simulation for military gear.
ISO 2685:
- High-stress vacuum testing for aerospace materials.
ISO 11607:
- Sterile barrier integrity testing for medical packaging.
ASTM F1140:
- Evaluating packaging resistance under vacuum or overpressure.
ISTA Series 3:
- Transport testing, including low-pressure simulations.
What does aVacuum Test Involve?
A vacuum test simulates environments with low air pressure, similar to conditions at high altitudes or in enclosed transport environments such as cargo aircraft. This allows Sebert Trillingstechniek to assess whether products can withstand pressure differences that may occur during transport or storage. The tests can also help detect leaks in packaging or the enclosures of electronic and medical devices.
Specifications of Testing Machines in Our Facility
Our vacuum test chamber simulates pressure drops combined with temperature and vibration to mimic real-world conditions. Expanding materials may scuff or develop microcracks under these stresses, leading to leaks.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: Ø 80 cm x Height 120 cm
- Pressure Range: 50 – 1000 mbar
- Maximum Load: 1300 kg
- Temperature Range: -40°C to 70°C
5 reasons why vacuum testing is essential:
- Air transport: Cargo holds in planes can experience pressures as low as 595 mbar compared to standard atmospheric pressure (~1013 mbar).
- Mountain transit: Transporting goods in high-altitude regions may cause pressures to drop to 800 mbar, impacting airtight packaging.
- Space applications: Products used in space environments must undergo vacuum testing to ensure durability under low-pressure conditions.
- Airtight packaging:
- Vacuum tests assess whether sealed packaging, such as bags or containers, withstands pressure differences.
- Packaging failures can expose contents to air, moisture, or contaminants.
- Pharmaceuticals & food products:
- Ensure barrier properties remain intact during transport, keeping contents sterile or fresh.
- Sensitive devices:
- Electronics, medical instruments, and delicate items risk damage under pressure shifts. Vacuum testing ensures reliability.
- Materials with air chambers:
- Items like plastic components or shock absorbers with internal air chambers may crack or deform under low pressure. Testing highlights such vulnerabilities.
- Damage prediction:
- Vacuum testing identifies risks such as leaks, structural weaknesses, or bursting early in the product lifecycle.
- Reduced transport costs:
- Optimizing packaging and product designs minimizes shipping damages, leading to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.
- Electronics: Evaluate airtight enclosures and internal component safety.
- Pharmaceuticals and medical packaging: Validate sterile seals and barrier functionality.
- Aerospace and automotive: Test parts exposed to varying pressure conditions.
- Packaging industry: Verify seal strength and packaging durability during transit.
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.
