Environmental testing is a quality assurance tool to test a material or product in extreme temperature conditions. The diverse number of tests can be adapted to your unique needs. Environmental chambers allow for full control over various conditions a product might face. It is also an effective way to ensure a product meets safety guidelines before hitting the mass market.
Before a product is released, it goes through many tests. One of being environmental testing. Environmental testing is the performance of equipment under specific conditions. Used to ensure safety regulations are followed. Environmental testing chambers tests include:
- Salt spray test chamber
- High and low temperature test chamber
- Constant temperature
- Humidity test chamber
- Ultraviolet aging test chamber
- Xenon lamp aging test chamber
- Ozone aging test chamber
- Ovens
In the design phase, thorough examination is performed to help determine a product’s capability to meet each of these environments. While testing the product is taken through environmental tests to see if it can endure certain pre-set expectations and standards. If the product does not meet a certain environmental requirement, or if the margins between the specification and the actual product operation are considered not sufficient. Failure must be investigated and the product must be made more robust. Environmental tests can test:
- altitude
- explosive atmosphere
- fluid compatibility
- ice/freezing
- rapid and explosive decompression
- temperature and humidity
- waterproofness and immersion
Environmental testing is important to understand the durability of a product. In addition to understanding if they meet or exceed safety standards and requirements.
Standards
Test chambers must follow several organizational standards and guidance in construction, temperature control standards and engineering tolerances. Including:
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology
- Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute
- ASTM International
- Underwriters Laboratories
- NSF International
- FM Global
- Canadian Standards Association
- International Organization for Standardization
Things to consider
Testing services are able to meet a wide variety of testing needs. When choosing a service, it is important to consider the capabilities of the company. Companies who only offer testing are limited in the size or type of tests they can complete. However, companies who are also manufacturers can custom build chambers. In addition to having a wide variety of chambers at their use. Manufacturers also provide unique expertise and insight. Which can assist with avoiding liability. It is important chambers have a right fit. Safety standards require approximately ⅓ product and ⅔ empty space to allow for adequate air flow.
