Hermetically Sealed Components
Hermetically Sealed Components are used to prevent contaminants such as solids, liquids, or gases from entering a package. These components come in a variety of applications and product names including but limited to;
Making sure that a piece of equipment's components is correctly sealed is one of the best methods to guarantee that it continues to function even under adverse conditions. Hermetically Sealed Components have no opening to pressurize during leak test so they specialized testing. One method is Evac and Spray where are a vacuum is drawn on one side of the test part and helium sprayed onto the other. Another method is “Bombing” the part with an over pressure of Helium to force into any leak paths that may be present and then placing the test part into a test cup where it is checked for any outgassing of helium.
VIC manufacturers a full range of Bombing Stations and Test Cups for any application. VIC can also supply an Evac and Spray solution for companies that do not have the inhouse resources to build the test system on their own. Another test method is Evac and Spray where are a vacuum is drawn on one side of the test part and helium sprayed onto the other.
Leak Test Types Commonly Used:
Ensuring that a component is leak proof is really important for many manufacturers, even more when it comes to our Army and Navy. It is essential for our military to ensure that equipment such as munition cases are leak tested to maintain the integrity of the products inside. Moreover, other products like certain Naval Electronics are only meant to be water tight for the duration of their intended use, which is a shorter period of time. Certain products utilize inflatable air to function within their intended use, where an excessive air leak will render the product useless. In all cases these products are not intended to be exposed to the harsh environment of deep space or other extreme environments which is why most are tested with an air leak test.
Leak Test Types Commonly Used:
Nose Cones and Electronics Subassembly Packages
A reliable leak test of a missile nose cone is essential because the electronics and the optics cannot be compromised.The leak test of these parts requires special very considerations because of the; i) low leak rate, ii) the fact that most often the parts are sealed, and iii) they can vary greatly in size and weight.
The electronic subassembly used within a nose cone is often tested prior to final assembly, followed by a final test of the assembled component. To be considered as hermetic, the nose cone must be leak tested with very fine precision using a variety of leak test methods depending on the part geometry. Vacuum Instruments Corporation have decades of experience in this application for a variety of part dimensions and types.
Optics leak testing is essential in military application because there are several leak related failure opportunities. O-ring seals are essential to seal the part, but can also be a primary source of a leak. Internal corrosion may be brought on by oxygen penetration inside the device. Any moisture intrusion can result in fogging the optics and mold growth over time which can scratch the inside of the lens rendering the optics unusable.
Optics also present some unique leak testing challenges because they are also often already charged and sealed with Argon or Nitrogen keep oxygen and moisture from penetrating which would compromise the part.
VIC offers the only specially designed Argon only Mass Spectrometer that can be used to dedicate Argon gas that may be escaping from the Optics package. In other cases, the Optics and be leak tested with Helium prior to charging with Argon and Nitrogen.
Vacuum Instrument Corporation offers a broad range of leak detection solutions for leak testing with Optics.
Leak Test Types Commonly Used:
Regardless of how complex their geometries are, leaks tests of components can be carried out manually or mechanically on small or big sections. Leak testing assembled systems or subcomponents is also necessary to ensure their integrity. MRO leak testing is typically conducted with “Bombing” the test part with an over pressure of Helium to force into any leak paths that may be present and then placing the test part into a test cup or under a bell jar (pictured) where it is checked for any outgassing of helium. VIC manufacturers a full range of Bombing Stations and Test Cups for any application, plus supplies bell jars and test stands of all sizes.
Vacuum Instruments Corporation is a pioneer in providing state-of-the-art leak detection solutions for diverse applications and industries. Our systems have ensured the safety and performance of countless products that we use in our daily lives from the cars we drive to the air conditioners in our houses, the pacemakers in our bodies, and the satellites we launch into space.
