How to find a leak?
We have all practiced basic leak detection before. A leaking bicycle or car tire is good example of the dramatic effect of the leak on the performance of a product and the knowledge on how to diagnose and repair one.
The demands of high technology industries and modern manufacturing mean that leak detection has become highly specialized. We now need to be able to find leaks in high speed manufacturing lines, in hostile environments or at microscopic sizes.
No leaks are ever the same, so detection requires a comprehensive range of solutions and years of ‘hands on’ experience. Pfeiffer Vacuum excels in the use of helium and hydrogen tracer gas, and offers different detection techniques to address all applications.
Six test methods for leak detection
Vacuum test: Spraying test
For leak localization on parts under vacuum
Description
The leak detector evacuates the air inside the test part. After that, the tracer gas is sprayed on the external surface of the part. The detector measures the gas flow through the leak channel in the wall of the test part. The leak can be localized.
Customer benefits
- Localization of the leak
- Very high sensitivity
- Easy to perform
- Local or integral test
Sniffing test
For leak localization on pressurized parts
Description
The test part is pressurized with tracer gas. After that, the sniffer probe is moved around the part. If a leak is present, the leak detector will detect the escaping tracer gas, providing the location of the leak.
Customer benefits
- Localization of the leak
- Not necessary to put the test part under vacuum
- Easy to perform
Integral vacuum test
For fast integral test of pressurized parts
Description
The test part is placed in a vacuum test chamber and filled with tracer gas. Should a leak be present, the tracer gas will escape from the part into the test chamber and will be measured by the leak detector.
Customer benefits
- Very high sensitivity
- High throughput
- Easy to integrate into a production line
- Easy calibration
- High repeatability
Vacuum test: Bombing test
The test part is sealed and cannot be evacuated or pressurized.
Description
Place the test part in a specific chamber and pressurize it with tracer gas (bombing chamber). Should a leak be present, the tracer gas is forced into the part due to the gas pressure. After that, the part is placed in a vacuum chamber which is evacuated.
Any tracer gas that was forced inside the part will now escape and be measured by the leak detector.
Customer benefits
- The only solution to test sealed components with high sensitivity
- High repeatability
Integral test of enclosed parts under vacuum
For fast integral test of evacuated parts
Description
Inside a test chamber, the part is connected to a leak detector and evacuated. The chamber is filled with tracer gas. Should a leak be present, the tracer gas will penetrate the part and be measured by the leak detector.
Customer benefits
- High automation level possible
- Very high sensitivity
- High throughput
- High repeatability
Sniffing test: Integral test at atmospheric pressure
For low-cost low-throughput integral test of pressurized parts
Description
The test part is pressurized with tracer gas in a simple accumulation chamber which is at under atmospheric pressure. After an accumulation time, the detector analyzes the air inside the chamber and determines if an increase in the tracer gas concentration can be measured.
Customer benefits
- Easy to integrate into a production line
- No vacuum required
| Vacuum test: Spraying test | Sniffing test | Integral vacuum test | Vacuum test: Bombing test | Integral test of enclosed parts under vacuum | Sniffing test: Integral test at atmospheric pressure | |
| ASM 310 | ja | ja | ||||
| ASM 340 / ASM 340 D / ASM 340 I | ja | ja | ja | ja | ja | ja |
| ASM 390/392 | ja | ja | ja | ja | ja | ja |
| ASI 35 | ja | ja | ja | ja | ||
| ASM 306 S | ja | |||||
