Temperature and humidity test

Temperature and humidity changes are the most common environmental impacts that products have to endure during their life-cycle.

Environmental chambers for temperature and humidity testing – accredited testing

Temperature and humidity testing is a key part of product reliability and environmental testing. Temperature fluctuations, humidity and condensation are the most common environmental factors that affect the durability of products throughout their life cycle.

Toptester offers accredited temperature and humidity tests that simulate demanding and extreme operating conditions. The testing is based on international standards such as IEC 60068-2-1 and IEC 60068-2-30, and produces reliable, documented test data to support product development, certification and customer communication.

Testing can identify weaknesses in materials, components and structures already during the product development phase and ensure reliable operation of the product throughout its service life. Without tested data, defects caused by temperature and humidity are often only discovered in the field, which can significantly increase repair costs and delivery risks.

Why is temperature and humidity testing important?knowledge of the material properties of components

Conditional tests, or temperature and humidity tests, are directly related to the environments in which products are used, as changes in temperature and humidity are the most common environmental changes. Products and their components encounter these changes throughout their life cycle.

Temperature and humidity testing assesses a product’s ability to maintain its functionality under varying environmental conditions. Testing can identify, for example:

• effects of thermal expansion of materials
• mechanical stresses and structural changes
• electrical risks caused by condensation
• start of corrosion in humid conditions
• functionality of seals and joints
• operational reliability of electronics in extreme temperatures

Testing can be used to ensure that the product functions reliably in cold, hot, humid and dry environments.

Temperature and humidity test methods

Conditional tests can be at constant temperature or can simulate various temperature fluctuations. Rapid temperature fluctuations can cause, among other things, mechanical failures in products or their parts. The tests are performed in Toptester’s environmental cabinets, where rapid and large temperature and humidity changes can be implemented.

With Toptester, testing is always planned product-specifically based on the operating environment, materials and customer requirements.

Testing can be carried out for example:

• standard condition tests
• temperature cycle tests
• rapid temperature changes
• high humidity tests
• condensation tests
• combined temperature and humidity test programs

Testing can be combined with other environmental tests, such as vibration, IP or corrosion testing.

Accelerated life testing – simulates years of use in laboratory conditions

In the natural environment, aging of materials and components can take years. Temperature and humidity testing uses accelerated test methods that can simulate long-term use in a significantly shorter time.

Toptester has strong expertise in assessing the aging of materials due to the effects of temperature and humidity. For example, 1000 hours of hardened environmental chamber testing with certain parameters can correspond to 10 years of use in similar conditions.

Temperature and humidity testing according to standards

Toptester carries out temperature and humidity testing according to international standards so that test results are comparable and acceptable in different market areas.

Test equipment and testing capacity

Toptester has several environmental cabinets in the size range of 60–1340 liters, which enable a wide temperature and humidity testing capacity for different product size categories. Our cabinets can implement temperature change rates of up to 25 °C per minute, and our elevator cabinet enables very fast temperature changes in less than 10 seconds. In addition, we have a large weather chamber for testing large-sized products.

During testing, real-time data logging and remote monitoring of the customer’s products via the network can be implemented. Through our partners, environmental chambers are also available for testing larger entities.

Large environmental chambers

Small environmental chambers (4 chambers)

• Volume 60 – 480 l
• Temperature range -70 – +180 ºC, change rate up to 10 ºC
• Humidity control

Do you need temperature and humidity testing for your product?

We will help you determine the right testing strategy based on the operating environment, materials and technical requirements of your product.