IP67 and Sealed Products Leak Tests
In our blog post ‘Leak sealing of electronic products’, we talked about IP67 tests, hermeticity and why electronic products should undergo sealing tests. In this blog post, we will talk about the appropriate methods that can be used for IP67 leak tests for sealed products.
Ideal for IP67 tests at sealed products, air is used to obtain measurable, repeatable, and non-destructive results. Instead of pressurizing the product, a sealed control volume outside is used to check for leaks.
The Adlema EP60 leak testing apparatus is specially designed for IP tests. The specially designed volume reduces the area covered by the compressed air. This increases the sensitivity of the test. The pressure of the compressed air supplied by the volumetric filling method will decrease if the product is leaking. With this method, it is possible to catch both large leaks and micro leaks.
IP67 and Sealed Products : Large Leak Products
Compressed air is supplied volumetrically to the control volume. The volume to be filled with air in the control volume can be defined as control volume – product volume. In this way, we can know the initial pressure and volume of the compressed air and the final pressure after the volume change. However, in products with large leaks, the pressure will be lower than expected as the pressure will fill into the product instantly. Such leaks are caught at the first moment of the test.
IP67 and Sealed Products : Small Leak Products
For products with small leak, the pressure of the control volume will decrease for a certain period of time. The reason for this decrease is that air atoms enter into the product. With the parameters specified in the IP standards, it is automatically decided whether the products are intact or leaking.
Vacuum Test
Instead of pressurising the control volume, a vacuum can also be applied. In these applications, it can be measured whether air leaks out of the test piece. These applications can be applied in cases where there are pressurised fluids in the product and these fluids are not desired to come out, or if it is thought that the product will be exposed to pressure differences during use.
In many applications, the ideal method for testing IP67 and hermetic properties is to create a control volume with the EP60 test apparatus. With non-destructive testing, you can be sure that your products comply with IP67 parameters as presented. Contact us for parameters, test set-up or any questions you may have.
