In today's world we are surrounded by industrially produced objects. And we take them for granted.
We take it for granted that they perform their function and that they will not fail at any moment. To ensure these comforts, manufacturers are required to comply with a rigorous series of tests on products and materials.
Among these, environmental testing plays a fundamental role.
What is the Environmental Test for?
Most products and materials undergo a series of environmental tests.
In fact, in their life cycle, they will have to face all types of environmental situations: from extreme temperatures, through precipitation, high humidity levels or prolonged sun exposure.
Environmental testing serves to simulate these and other environmental conditions to verify how the sample in question reacts to stress.
Obviously not all products and materials are the same, since their probable conditions of use and the standards they must meet are not the same.
Let's see some examples.
Which Industries are involved in Environmental Testing
As we said, almost all industries are involved, in one way or another, in environmental testing. Here we will look at just a few paradigmatic examples to show how environmental testing varies depending on the context.
- Electronics: both consumer electronics and electronics intended for other industries are involved in very strict environmental tests. In fact, electronic circuits must pass so-called extreme environmental tests, i.e. those that reach extremely high temperature values. One of these is the burn-in test, which we talked about here.
- Automotive, Military, Aerospace Industry: all these sectors have in common the construction of very complex vehicles that must face the most varied climates. Additionally, the electronics they employ must pass the above environmental tests. It should be noted that the military sector responds to a specific standard, MIL-STD-883.
- Pharmaceutical and Food Industry: drugs and foods end up directly in our bodies and you can imagine how rigorous the tests that verify their safety are, including environmental tests. Furthermore, they are products with a very short life cycle or, to put it in common parlance, they have an "expiry date". This parameter is also obviously determined by environmental conditions, and is investigated with a test called Shelf-Life Test. We talked about it here.
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How Environmental Testing Works
Now we understand why environmental testing is important and what role it plays in the most common industries. But how does it work? Do researchers expose products to the elements and note the changes? Obviously not.
To simulate the most diverse environmental conditions with precision, researchers have a specific laboratory instrument: climatic chambers.
Climatic chambers are isolated environments in which it is possible to alter various environmental parameters: relative humidity and temperature above all, but, with appropriate accessories, it is also possible to test the results of exposure to the sun and precipitation.
The samples to be tested are introduced into the climatic chamber and one or more cycles of environmental tests are carried out with certain settings.
What type of environmental testing should be performed is generally indicated by internationally recognized standards.
We have seen that the military sector has one of its own; the other sectors follow those dictated by globally recognized organizations such as ISO.
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The FDM Climatic Chamber for Environmental Testing
And where do you buy these climatic chambers, then?
Well, if you need to perform an environmental test, you are in the right place.
FDM - Environmental Makers has been designing excellent climate chambers for over 70 years.
We have different models: from classic climatic chambers, to those for extreme tests, up to those specialized in solar exposure.
Furthermore, our engineers create tailor-made climatic chambers to meet the needs of each customer.
For further doubts and questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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