| Description | Method | Leak Rate (mbar .l/sec) | Typical Application | Time for one 2mm bubble to form |
|
Pressure Decay |
Charge product with gas, allow time to stabilise and check for pressure drop. Simple and cost effective for small components with relatively high leak rates which are not temperature sensitive. |
1.00E-01 |
Charge Air Coolers, Exhaust Systems, Injector Tips, Pneumatics |
24 bubbles per second - bubble stream |
|
1.00E-02 |
Taps, domestic radiators, automotive radiators, automotive heater cores |
2.4 bubbles per second - slow bubble stream |
|
Accumulation |
New technique using helium tracer gas but inside an enclosure so that the accumulation of helium is measured. The advantages of non temperature dependence and better sensitivity of hard vacuum system at a much lower cost. |
1.00E-03 |
Diesel Fuel tanks, additive tanks, metal barrels for transport of chemicals |
4 seconds per bubble, sporadic bubbles can be identified with care |
|
1.00E-04 |
 Alloy Wheels, shock absorbers, EGR coolers |
50 seconds per bubble, technician only with lighting |
|
Sniff Testing |
Using a sniff test probe to measure leak rates at specific joints or connections. Ideal for checking assembled systems where components have already been tested or products with defined leak points. Helium or multi-gas systems offered. |
1.00E-05 |
 Petrol tanks, condensers, evaporators, refrigeration, compressors |
8.49 bubbles per hour - in practise the hole usually blocks |
|
1.00E-06 |
 SF 6 switch gear, gas meters, air bags, butane filled components |
0.85 bubbles per hour - in practise the hole usually blocks |
|
Hard Vacuum Helium Leak Testing |
The part is tested inside a hard vacuum chamber with a helium mass spectrometer. Checks all joints with very high levels of sensitivity and reliability - the standard method for all leaks below 1.0E-3 mbar.l/s |
1.00E-07 |
Virus contaminant, fire extinguishers |
2.04 bubbles per day |
|
1.00E-08 |
Nuclear fuel rods, battery cells |
6.11 bubbles per month |
|
1.00E-09 |
High vacuum components, high integrity valves for toxic media |
7.44 bubbles per year |