For accurate simulations of any environment, ATEC has an assortment of temperature and humidity chamber rentals at affordable rates from trusted manufacturers like Espec and Cincinnati Sub-Zero.
What is a Temperature and Humidity Chamber?
One of various types of environmental chambers, a temperature and humidity chamber is a test chamber that simulates long-term exposure to specific environments for material and product testing.
Whether intended for indoor or outdoor use, a product may not survive exposure to extreme weather or conditions. Before it can be sold or used, manufacturers must test the product or material in all possible environments. Rather than waiting for different temperatures or humidity levels or transporting the product to a different climate, a chamber simulates those effects.
The operator places the device under test within the chamber and selects the desired temperature and conditions from a digital display. Air that is hot, cold, humid, or dry is then pumped into the chamber to meet those conditions. By testing at extreme temperatures from -70°C to +190°C, the chamber can determine how a product will hold up to years of exposure.
Testing With an environmental chamber
Ideal for predicting how a product reacts to harsh environments, a chamber is an essential tool for manufacturers. Products and materials may be exposed to blistering deserts, humid rainforests, or frozen tundras throughout years of use. Testing saves time and costs, with these chambers regularly used in the following industries:
- Aerospace
- Telecommunications
- Military/Defense
- Automotive
- Energy
- Medical
- Pharmaceutical
The following tests offer valuable insight and data that's only available with an environmental chamber:
Temperature and Humidity Testing
Accurate to the name, these chambers can produce both extreme temperatures and humidity. Some testing units can reach temperatures far below freezing of -84°C while others are built for scorching heat up to +350°C. Most chambers also offer a vast range of relative humidity, from 10% to 98%.
Accelerated Aging / Life Cycle Testing
The accelerated aging test is integral to pharmaceutical and medical products, which can change or become ineffective over time. With a raised temperature and humidity, the test can simulate years of shelf life and find the ideal storage conditions. Also called life cycle testing, the analysis can determine a product's typical lifespan with a consumer.
How to Choose the Right Rental
Before selecting a chamber for rental, it's crucial to consider a few factors in your testing needs. Temperature chambers can vary greatly when it comes to size, available tests, and climate ranges.
Size and Dimensions
When testing small products, a reach-in or benchtop chamber with a volume of 3 cubic feet may be ideal. However, some tests require a much larger unit or even a walk-in test chamber. When analyzing a sizable product or many items at once, a temperature chamber with 100 cubic feet or more will be needed.
Temperature and Humidity Range
Most environmental chambers offer fairly standard ranges for temperature and humidity. But certain products need exposure to temperatures that exceed 200°C, a climate that only specific chambers can reach.
Test Options
Product testing often requires exposure to many conditions beyond extreme temperatures and humidity. ATEC also offers an extensive catalog of chamber rentals to conduct the following tests: