Binder Environmental Simulation Chambers: Standard Test Procedures in Material Testing

Posted date: Mon, 01 Th6 2020

1. Introduction

Electronic components, automotive parts, sub-assemblies, and many other products are subjected to the harshest environmental conditions throughout their service life. For decades, industry and research have relied on thermal shock chambers to simulate environmental conditions. Today, with the rapid advancement of science and technology, legacy technologies are being phased out, leading to more stringent standards and testing methods. Along with technical requirements, compliance with updated standards and guidelines poses a challenge to existing technology. The following article explains why you should invest in environmental simulation chambers featuring modern technology.

2. Expertise in Environmental Simulation Chambers

There are many test methods applied to environmental simulation chambers (material durability test chambers) to test or research products based on setting desired environmental parameters.

Setting parameters is based on certain principles, such as "Good Laboratory Practice"; testing with environmental test chambers usually takes a very long time, commonly up to one year. Therefore, testing costs must also be considered, along with investing in new-technology environmental test chambers.

Environmental simulation chambers often demand high-tech requirements and advanced technical expertise. This is because, even with strict guidelines for most use cases, no two tests are completely identical.

3. Applications of Environmental Simulation Chambers

Depending on specific requirements, environmental simulation chamber parameters can be selected and configured accordingly. Climatic chambers are commonly used to study the effects of environmental factors such as:

Performance.
Functionality.
Long-term changes.
Service life...

environmental responses of a test specimen or a system.

Particularly in electronics, and in other industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical research, thermal shock chambers (extreme condition material durability test chambers) have proven highly successful in environmental simulation. We have highlighted specific applications in our Case Studies on thermal shock chambers.

4. Environmental Simulation: Hardware and Expertise from Binder

Thermal shock climate chambers meet most technical specification requirements when simulating real-world environmental conditions. These include:

Temperature control
Humidity control
Cycle programming

To add extra features and fulfill operational needs, thermal shock chambers can be customized and upgraded for specific user requirements.

5. Standard Test Procedures

Environmental testing procedures must always comply with the technical specifications of each specific case. General guidelines for each type of environmental simulation chamber are specified in the first part of the IEC 60068 standard. Specific requirements must be considered to configure appropriate applications for users.

All test procedures used must ensure appropriate parameter settings, including studying the environmental factors affecting the product during:

Transportation
Storage
Installation
Actual operating conditions based on expected lifespan

Cost assessment and review also play an important role when determining standardized test conditions. Consider introducing a cost-saving testing phase. Conversely, comprehensive testing primarily improves and enhances product quality as well as increases reliability

Developing standards for climatic chambers (accelerated aging chambers) requires extensive expertise. BINDER has decades of experience in this field, offering not only state-of-the-art technology but also in-depth know-how on how to apply it.

When it comes to test materials, standard test results are an absolute must. This applies even more to long-term sample testing and continuously changing test conditions. With years of experience as an authorized distributor of BINDER, Hoa Viet Co., Ltd. fully meets all requirements for consulting and selecting the right environmental simulation chambers tailored to customers' needs.

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