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Stress Testing Products Using Test Chambers

Posted on by Cara Toner
Weiss Technik thermal shock chambers provided by DACTEC in Ireland. Read why stress testing products using test chambers is important.
27
Oct

Stress Testing Products Using Test Chambers

In this blog we discuss why stress testing products using test chambers is important, the types of stress tests and we also provide a list of some of the standard stress screening tests our chambers can perform.

Stress Screening

Stress screening products is important to ensure reliability and so that any latent defects not identified at the design stage are discovered at the production stage.

Stress testing products e.g., electronic components, is done to prove or disprove their ability to survive different environments and climates.

These tests are often a requirement of a manufacturing company who want to use component parts to build their own products, for example, chips for computers and smartphones.

Stress testing can be costly but in turn increases the value of the products that have passed such tests. If you buy a piece of electronics that is cheap e.g., a mobile phone, it may be cheap because a large percentage of that batch of phones failed stress testing after production or no stress testing was done at all. Little surprise if it fails prematurely then and this is why stress testing products using test chambers is so important.

Stress Screening Tests

The sort of stress tests that can be done include temperature excursions e.g. -40°C for a period followed by heating fast to 85°C, sitting there for a period then fast cooling to -40°C again.

This can be repeated many times to constitute a test. The sample products can be run to check their performance during or after the test. If samples are run during the test, the heat they dissipate must be compensated for by the test chamber which requires extra cooling power.

Controlled humidity swings may also be included for example, freeze/thaw with humidity control.

A popular test is thermal shock which is usually done with a chamber designed like an oven on top of a freezer. A cradle moves the samples repeatedly between the hot zone and the freezing zone, causing the samples to experience very rapid changes in temperature.

Vibration chambers control temperature, and if necessary, humidity as well, in the area over a vibration table. The vibration table is controlled separately to expose the samples to different frequencies, amplitudes and directions of vibration. This type of stress screening is used in the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries.

Standard Stress Screening Tests

Here is a list of typical standard stress screening tests:

Low-temperature tests

  • IEC 60068-2-1, Test A
  • ISO 16750-4, Low temperature
  • ETSI EN 300019-2-4, Test Ab/Ad
  • MIL-STD-810 G, Meth. 502.5
  • JESD22-A119

Constant climates

  • IEC 60068-2-67
  • IEC 60068-2-78
  • ISO 16750-4, Damp heat steady
  • ETSI EN 300019-2-4, Test Cab
  • MIL-STD-202 G, Meth. 103B
  • JESD22-A101C

High-temperature tests

  • IEC 60068-2-2, Test B
  • ISO 16750-4, High-temperature test
  • ETSI EN 300019-2-4, Test Bb/Bd
  • MIL-STD-202 G, Meth. 108A
  • MIL-STD-810 G, Meth. 501.5
  • MIL-STD-883 J, Meth. 1008.2
  • JESD22-A103D

Alternating climates

  • IEC 60068-2-30, Test Db, Var. 1
  • IEC 60068-2-30, Test Db, Var. 2
  • IEC 60068-2-38
  • ISO 16750-4, Damp heat cyclic
  • ISO 16750-4, Temp/Humid, cyclic
  • ETSI EN 300019-2-4, Test Db
  • VG 95210, Blatt 7, Meth. 106C
  • MIL-STD-202 G, Meth. 106D
  • MIL-STD-331 C, Test C1
  • MIL-STD-750-1, Change 3
  • MIL-STD-810 G, Meth. 507.5
  • MIL-STD-883 J, Meth. 1004.7
  • JESD22-A100D

Alternating temperature tests

  • IEC 60068-2-14, Test Nb
  • ISO 16750-4, Temp. steps
  • ISO 16750-4, Temp. cycling
  • ETSI EN 300019-2-4, Test Nb
  • MIL-STD-331 C, Test C6
  • JESD22-A105C

Obviously, the control of these test parameters must be accurate, reproducible, economic and must use environmentally friendly refrigerants as much as possible.

Weiss Technik chambers fulfil all these requirements and lead the market in the supply and support of stress test chambers.

In addition, Weiss offer a vast range of cooling/heating powers, sizes and options so that your applications can be catered for perfectly.

Conclusion

Stress screening of products is important to reduce defects in order for the finished product to be robust.

There are a variety of stress screening test and standards that can be used to reduce these defects.

Finding the correct chamber that can carry out these test and standards is critical, such as thermal shock chambers, vibration test chambers, tensile test chambers, temperature test chambers and climate chambers. Click here to see the Weiss Technik range of stress test chambers provided by DACTEC.

More Information

If you need advice or want help with your particular application or any queries about the points raised in ‘Stress Testing Products Using Test Chambers’, please feel free to contact us.

You might also find the following blogs of interest:

If you would like more information about DACTEC’s service support, such as:

  • Service Agreements
  • IQOQ, IPV’s, Calibration and Validation
  • Spare Parts and Consumables
  • Installations
  • Call-Outs
  • Maintaining Your Chamber

Please click here.

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For a full description of our offerings and a quote please contact us.

 

Cara Toner