Submersion Leak Testing of Explosive or Volatile Products

Ever wondered how to leak test packaged volatile products? Do you know that there are countless unstable products out there that have to be leak tested as part of quality control? By volatile we mean products which ignite, explode, shatter, melt, or are hazardous. Keep in mind that hazardous material for whatever reason has be undergo quality control as well.

This is what our client wondered too. They wondered how to perform a quality leak test on their volatile product safely. They came to us because we manufacture clear acrylic vacuum chambers which are incorporated into Bubble Leak Testing Systems. As with many of our happy clients, we will not be able to tell you what exactly they were doing as that information is proprietary. However, we will be glad to show you what we made for them and how it helped them.

What we built for them is a Large Bubble Leak Testing System. The Acrylic Tank Dimensions are 25 inch Wide, 14 inch Deep, and 18 inch High. The Lid is hinged and supported by a Gas Spring which will keep the lid open in order to enable the operator to load the tank with test specimen without having to hold the lid with one hand. We also provided them with a 6 CFM Uniweld Vacuum Pump and a Vacuum Pump Protection Valve. This protection valve will prevent tank water from accidentally entering and damaging the vacuum pump. We also provided them with an Instrutech Digital vacuum gauge to enable them to have better vacuum readings from their bubble leak testing system. There is also a drain valve which comes with every one of our bubble leak testing systems. Finally, if you look closely, you can a hole cut out into the right wall. Our client asked us to cut this hole because they wanted to connected a rotary feedthrough to it so that they can manipulate the test specimen from the outside during vacuum operations. This whole system is placed onto table frame structure with lockable swivel casters making this a portable bubble leak testing system.

Are you working with difficult to test products? If you are, please Reach Out to us and let us know what you are looking to do. We would you love to have the opportunity to look at your project.

Did you know that we carry a many more products?

We are an Engineering Excellence Company. Check out some of our other items we carry that you can combine/integrate with your systems or projects.

Vacuum Decay Leak Testing Systems
Vacuum Decay Leak Testing Systems are Instruments that detect and quantify a leak by measuring the drop in vacuum (pressure) inside the specimen. During a vacuum decay leak test, the specimen is placed into a vacuum chamber, the vacuum is pulled to a specified setpoint, and the drop in vacuum is monitored and recorded over time. If a leak in the specimen exists, the air will travel from a higher pressure (inside the specimen) to a lower pressure (vacuum chamber). As a results of the additional air, the vacuum levels will drop whereas a leak can be detected and quantified.
Vacuum Controller Instruments
Vacuum Controller Instruments are devices that measure and control for vacuum inside a vacuum chamber. A vacuum controller consists of a vacuum gauge, control system, and an Human Machine Interface; options include vacuum pump relays and Vacuum valves. A vacuum Controller will enable you to store products at a specified vacuum level or run a vacuum vs. time profile.
Our Work: Research, Development, and Testing of Weather Balloons inside a Clear Vacuum Chamber
A wonderful company (more like one of the best companies in the world) which is currently involved with the research, development, and testing of high-altitude weather balloons, had a need for a vacuum chamber capable of achieving about 100 micro Torr (Micron) of ultimate Pressure for their testing environment. Fortunately, acrylic vacuum chambers are the perfect choice when it comes to Low, Rough, and Medium Vacuum.
Related Articles: Visual Inspection Quality Testing of Heat Sealed Packages
Visual inspection is an attractive option because it does not require the purchase of any additional equipment. There are several arguments against Visual Inspection of heat seals; the argument against visual inspection is that visual inspection is subjective, unreliable, operator dependent, or not a valid method of inspection. However, if you have the correct training, procedures, and documentation in place, visual inspection can become a powerful tool in your quest for better packaging.