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.

WAIT! Take a look at similar Items you may like…

Our clients prefer to work with us because we are Experts in Custom Fabrication (especially Polymer Fabrication). You should check out some of our other items we carry; click on the links below.

Altitude Simulation Systems
Altitude simulation systems are devices that simulate a certain altitude equivalent by controlling the vacuum inside a vacuum chamber. Altitude is a function of absolute pressure, therefore if a certain pressure is accomplished inside a vacuum chamber, a specific altitude can be simulated from the set pressure. Altitude simulation systems can be configured to not only hold a certain pressure, a complete pressure vs time profile can be programmed to be run. Furthermore, pressure vs time recipes can be loaded and run based on test requirements.
Viewport Vacuum Feedthroughs
Viewports Vacuum Feedthroughs are windows that enable you to look into the inside of your vacuum chamber. If you are using a metallic vacuum chamber with a metallic lid, you will not be able to view the interior of your vacuum chamber unless you have a viewport. Viewports also enable a different electromagnetic spectrum of light to passthroughs.
Our Work: Chamber for Vacuum Extrusion System
This is a custom acrylic vacuum chamber build for a high volume manufacturer of parts which are fabricated using vacuum extrusion techniques. The challenge was to build a vacuum chamber system which mated on two perpendicular surfaces; on the bottom and on the rear of the chamber. This was accomplished by incorporating a double gasket mechanism on the bottom and incorporating a clamping mechanism on the rear.
Related Articles: Force Decay Leak Testing
Force Decay Leak Testing is a very popular quantitative leak testing method used to quality test package and product integrity due to its ability to detect small leaks which cannot be seen through visual inspection. In this method, the test specimen is internally inflated by either internal pressurization or vacuum force. The inflated test specimen will, in turn, apply a force on a pressure transducer. Finally, the change in force applied by the inflated specimen over a specified time is observed.