Environmental chambers, also known as climatic chambers, are advanced testing systems used to simulate a wide range of environmental conditions in order to evaluate the reliability, durability, and performance of materials, components, and complete systems.
Some Essential Features of Environmental Chambers
These chambers are designed for reliability, accuracy, and long-term durability, with several key features:
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Temperature Control
- Wide temperature ranges (e.g., -70°C to +180°C).
- Precise temperature regulation (±0.5°C or better).
- Fast temperature ramp-up/down rates.
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Humidity Control
- Humidity range typically from 10% to 98% RH.
- Control accuracy around ±1-3% RH.
- Useful for testing corrosion, mold growth, or material expansion.
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Programmable Controllers
- Touchscreen interfaces.
- Multi-step programmable profiles.
- Multi-step programmable profiles.
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Vibration Integration (Optional)
- Combined environmental and mechanical stress testing.
- Often used in automotive and aerospace industries.
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Safety Features
- Over-temperature protection.
- Emergency shutoff systems.
- Alarms for temperature or humidity deviations.
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Data Logging & Reporting
- Built-in data loggers.
- USB or cloud export capability.
- Graphing and trend analysis.
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Compliance with Standards
- Meets testing standards (e.g., ASTM, IEC, MIL-STD, ISO).
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Size & Capacity Options
- Benchtop models for small-scale testing.
- Walk-in/drive-in chambers for large equipment or batch testing or our fix model as per below table .
Key Applications of Environmental Chambers
These chambers are used across various sectors such as:
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Electronics & Semiconductor Testing
Purpose: Check reliability and performance under extreme conditions.
Examples: Thermal cycling, humidity exposure, and thermal shock to test PCBs, semiconductors, and battery systems. -
Automotive Industry
Purpose: Ensure vehicle components perform in various climates.
Examples: Testing dashboards, engines, and sensors in extreme heat, cold, or humidity; simulating altitude or solar radiation. -
Aerospace & Defense
Purpose: Validate function and safety in harsh environments.
Purpose: Validate function and safety in harsh environments. -
Materials Science
Purpose: Study material degradation, fatigue, and lifespan.
Examples: Corrosion testing, UV exposure, and accelerated aging of metals, plastics, and composites. -
Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices
Purpose: Ensure drug and device stability under controlled storage and transport conditions.
Examples: ICH stability testing (temperature/humidity) for drug shelf-life and packaging integrity. -
Biological Research
Purpose: Simulate specific climates for biological studies.
Examples: Plant growth chambers, incubators for cells or microorganisms, and climate control for animal studies. -
Packaging & Logistics
Purpose: Evaluate durability during storage or transport.
Examples: Thermal shock and humidity testing on packaging used for food, electronics, or sensitive goods. -
Building Materials & HVAC
Purpose: Assess how building materials react to climate stress.
Examples: Simulating temperature and humidity changes on insulation, windows, and HVAC systems.
Standard Models
Equipment Model | EC-0100 | CC-0150 | ETC-150 | ETC-450 | ETC-650 | ETC-1000 | ETC-1550 |
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Inner Size (W*D*H) | 450 x 450 x 500 | 500 x 500 x 600 | 500 x 600 x 700 | 750 x 750 x 800 | 800 x 900 x 900 | 1000 x 1000 x 1000 | 1000 x 1200 x 1300 |
Testing Volume | 100 Liters | 150 Liters | 210 Liters | 450 Liters | 650 Liters | 1000 Liters | 1550 Liters |
Heating Rate | 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min., 5°C/Min. | 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min., 5°C/Min. | 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min., 5°C/Min. | 7°C/Min., 10°C/Min. | 15°C/Min. | 20°C/Min. as per IEC 60068-3-5 | 20°C/Min. as per IEC 60068-3-5 |
Cooling Rate | 1°C/Min., 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min. | 1°C/Min., 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min. | 1°C/Min., 2°C/Min., 3°C/Min. | 5°C/Min. | 7°C/Min. | 10°C/Min., 15°C/Min. as per IEC 60068-3-5 | 15°C/Min. as per IEC 60068-3-5 |
Temperature Range | -40°C ~ +180°C | -70°C ~ +180°C | |||||
Humidity Range | 20% ~ 98% | ||||||
Temp Uniformity | ±0.5° ~ ±1.0°C | ||||||
Refrigerant System | R404A & R23 | ||||||
Compressor | Copland (Italy) Bizter (Germany) | ||||||
Power Supply Requirement | 415 VAC +/- 5% 3 Phase 50 Hz 4 wire and Earth. | ||||||
Note | We also manufacture chambers according to the customers’ requirements including temperature ramp rates and size. |