Climatic and thermal-shock test chambers at Gestlabs

Product Reliability

Environmental and Reliability Test

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Among the main tests we can perform in our laboratories to evaluate and validate new processes and technologies are the following.

Main tests

HTS (High Temperature Storage)

The aim of this ageing test is to characterise the quality of intermetallic growth. It is a long-duration, high-temperature test: 1000 hours at 125°C.

Technical regulations: IEC 60068 (Environmental Test Procedures)

S.I.R. (Surface Insulation Resistance)

This test method is used to quantify the damaging effects of manufacturing and handling processes or residues on surface insulation resistance in the presence of humidity. The electrodes — electronically polarised during conditioning to ease electro-chemical reactions — are placed on parallel traces on a printed circuit or a standard assembled sheet. The samples are conditioned and the measurements are taken at a high level of humidity.

Test method: IPC TM-650 2.6.3.7 (Surface Insulation Resistance)

ATC (Accelerated Thermal Cycling)

The aim of this test is to evaluate the stress to which the soldering is subjected according to temperature variation. The ATC involves a slow temperature variation, not more than 20°C per minute. The thermal cycle provokes different thermal expansion/contraction according to the material composition, creating mechanical stresses that include plastic deformations and accelerate the life cycle of the material — for example causing micro-fractures inside the soldering that, after several cycles, can lead to a total breakout.

Technical regulations: IEC 60068 (Environmental Test Procedures)

T&H (Temperature and Humidity)

The aim of this test is to evaluate the impact of chemical substances on PCBA (for example flux residues). It is performed according to the JEDEC JESD22-100C standard, respecting the following parameters: a duration of 240 hours, a temperature of 85°C and 85% humidity. The result of the functional test is considered positive if there is no dendritic growth.

Technical regulations: IEC 60068 (Environmental Test Procedures)

Thermal Shock

Thermal shocks differ from thermal cycles because of the rapid temperature change, and for this reason they provoke different failure mechanisms. During thermal shocks, materials are subjected to deformation phenomena; on the PCBA they cause the deformation of the PCB or of assembled components, creating a deformation perpendicular to the sheet surface.

Technical regulations: IEC 60068 (Environmental Test Procedures)

Available equipment

ANGELANTONI mod. CTS 157/2T

Type
Double chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Thermal Shock Test
Quantity
2
Features
-60°C / +200°C
Standard profiles
-55°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
Immediate transition
Size (L×H×P)
530 x 450 x 660 mm

VOTSCH mod. VC7012 S2

Type
Double chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Thermal Shock Test
Quantity
1
Features
-80°C / +200°C
Standard profiles
-55°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
Immediate transition
Size (L×H×P)
470 x 650 x 410 mm

ANGELANTONI CLIMATIC SYSTEM mod. TY150C/SP

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
1
Features
-30°C / +150°C
Standard profiles
0°C / +100°C
Ramp rate
10°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
580 x 320 x 450 mm

WEISS mod. WT1-480/70/15

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
1
Features
-70°C / +180°C
Standard profiles
-40°C / +100°C; -55°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
12°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
800 x 1000 x 600 mm

SECASI mod. VRT50 C200 F50/3

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
2
Features
-30°C / +200°C
Standard profiles
0°C / +100°C; 0°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
max 8°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
340 x 340 x 435 mm

SECASI mod. VRT50 C200 F70/5

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
1
Features
-70°C / +200°C
Standard profiles
-40°C / +65°C; -10°C / +150°C
Ramp rate
10°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
340 x 340 x 435 mm

MAZZALI mod. Tesys 630H

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
1
Features
-70°C / +180°C
Standard profiles
-40°C / +100°C; -55°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
7°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
700 x 1000 x 700 mm

VOTSCH mod. VC4057

Type
Climatic Chamber
Test
Temperature, Humidity, Bias SOAK
Quantity
3
Features
-40°C / +150°C, 10/98% RH
Standard profiles
+85°C / 85% RH; +30°C / 60% RH
Size (L×H×P)
575 x 645 x 550 mm

VOTSCH mod. VC7018

Type
Climatic Chamber
Test
Temperature, Humidity, Bias SOAK
Quantity
1
Features
-75°C / +180°C, 10/98% RH
Standard profiles
+85°C / 85% RH; +30°C / 60% RH
Size (L×H×P)
580 x 750 x 450 mm

ANGELANTONI CLIMATIC SYSTEM mod. HYGROS 600

Type
Climatic Chamber
Test
Temperature, Humidity, Bias SOAK
Quantity
2
Features
-40°C / +180°C, 10/98% RH
Standard profiles
+85°C / 85% RH; +30°C / 60% RH
Size (L×H×P)
820 x 700 x 700 mm

A.C.S. mod. CHALLENGE 250-TC

Type
Single chamber
Test
Thermal Cycle Chamber, Temperature Cycling Test
Quantity
2
Features
-55°C / +180°C
Standard profiles
-40°C / +100°C; -55°C / +125°C
Ramp rate
3°C / min
Size (L×H×P)
520 x 700 x 520 mm

MAZZALI mod. Thermair 700

Type
Thermal Oven
Test
Cure & Bake
Quantity
1
Features
+150°C
Standard profiles
+40°C / +250°C
Size (L×H×P)
430 x 430 x 480 mm

BIOBLOCK

Type
Thermal Oven
Test
Cure & Bake
Quantity
1
Features
+125°C
Standard profiles
+40°C / +200°C
Size (L×H×P)
430 x 450 x 460 mm