What Is The Pressure Decay Leak Testing Method?

Pressure decay leak testing is the most widely used method of leak testing in manufacturing production lines. This is because, air pressure decay leak testing is uncomplicated, more affordable in comparison to other methods such as helium, and one of the easiest methods to automate.

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How Does Pressure Decay Leak Testing Work?

A simple pressure decay leak test is performed by first filling a test part or component with pressurized air. Once the test part has been filled to a set amount of air pressure, the part is then valved off or isolated from the air supply. Once isolated, the part is then given a set amount of time to stabilize. Once stabilization has been reached, the pressure decay instruments transducer or sensor(s) measure any drop or loss in pressure during the test.

A drop in pressure is an indication that the part being tested has a leak. The difference in pressure between the initial measurement and final measurement of pressure will indicate the rate at which a part is leaking. If there is no change in pressure (decay) over the set amount of time, then the part does not have a leak.

Advantages of Pressure Decay Testing

Accurate: Pressure decay leak testing is very sensitive and accurate as it can detect even the smallest of leaks or physical breaches.

Diverse Applications: The pressure decay method of leak testing has numerous applications and can be utilized in various industries to test a wide array of parts/components.

Inexpensive: Because this method uses air it is less expensive when testing larger parts and in high-volume industries.

Versatile: The pressure decay method is versatile and can be adapted to testing environments that require positive pressure or negative pressure (vacuum) testing.

Pressure Decay Applications & Industries

There are numerous industries and applications where the pressure decay method could be utilized for effective leak testing. In this table, you will find a few typical applications and industries to give you an idea of how diverse pressure decay leak testing applications can be.

For more information on how to pressure decay leak test specific components click the individual application below or speak with an experienced ATEQ engineer who can help you to determine the best leak testing method for your specific needs here.

The ATEQ Difference

Experience: With more than 47 years of leak testing experience and over customers around the world, we&#;ve seen and done it all, let us put our expertise to work for you.

State-of-the-Art Instruments: Due to our proprietary technology ATEQ instruments offer faster cycle times and the most sensitive sensors in the market. Making your production lines more efficient and your parts compliant with the strictest of quality regulations.

Global Network/ Local Service: Because we are a global company with offices in over 40 countries our experienced engineers can come on-site: to install, repair, troubleshoot, perform maintenance, and provide consultation /solutions for any leak-testing challenge you may encounter.   

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ATEQ Pressure Decay Leak Tester

F6 Class

F620

F600

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Leak testing is crucial for industries like plastic, food and beverage, and dairy industry to preserve the integrity of products within the package. It is an important part of their quality control process. Even minute physical breaches in a package such as leaks or cracks can spoil quality of products making it unfit for use. Therefore, it is important to use high quality leak detection instruments that can detect leaks in timely manner and ensure container quality is not compromised. As important as leak testing is, it is vital to conduct leak tests without causing damages to the product or packages. Manufacturers currently rely on non-destructive leak detection techniques that ensure effective testing of packages without spoiling its usefulness.

Overview of pressure decay leak testing

A Pressure decay leak test involves evaluating the drop in pressure on a transducer during a leak test. Under this method, the component under test is pressurized (filled with air until it reaches a set pressure), then isolated from the supply pressure. Using a pressure sensor, the pressure within the part is monitored. The pressure drops as the air leaks out. The leak rate can then be calculated based on change in pressure over a certain period.

The biggest advantage of pressure decay test is that it is sensitive to very small leaks. This makes it an ideal choice for leak testing in industries such as automotive components, castings, food and beverage containers. Not just that, compared to other methods, pressure decay leak testing is simplest of the leak test methodologies and is therefore generally the least expensive to implement. Hence this method is well suited for high-volume industries that require quick accurate tests within their facility such as beverage containers for milk, juices and other beverage products.

Overview of PTI&#;s VeriCon technology

VeriCon systems utilize either pressure decay or vacuum decay technology and a three-step phase to each test cycle: Filling, Equalizing and Testing. VeriCon testers consist of either one or more testing stations (test heads). During the filling stage, the container is filled with either pressure or for vacuum systems, a vacuum is pulled inside the container. The equalizing phase follows allowing the pressure or vacuum to stabilize within the container. The amount of pressure or vacuum decay is monitored and measured during the test cycle which correlates to the presence of leaks within the container. The pass/fail result displays on the operator panel and the defective container is rejected from the line.

PTI's VeriCon Series offers a wide range of leak tester configurations capable of accommodating multiple container specifications. Its applications include plastic, blow molding, food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. VeriCon technology works well for small, medium to large size containers and has inspection rates upto150 bottles/min. range. In addition to the basic inspection economics of identifying leaking containers and minimizing false rejects, VeriCon systems offer many additional advantages that increase overall operational efficiency. Real time inspection data with reject statistics and test result trends for on demand analysis of container quality.

All VeriCon systems utilize high resolution non-drifting transducers (either pressure transducers or vacuum transducers) for consistent leak detection. VeriCon testers are available in one to four station configurations, depending on the line speed/leak size requirement.

VeriCon Configurations:

1.Trimmer Mount: designed especially for blow molding lines and indexing machinery integration, VeriCon Trimmer Systems are available in single and dual station configuration. VeriCon Trimmer leak detectors offer very high reliability and low maintenance, running 24/7.
2.Linear Leak Testers: available in single or multi station configurations for standard online linear leak detection with high inspection speeds.
3.Continuous Motion Testers: available in 1 to 4 station configurations with inspection speeds up to 150 bottles/min. Continuous motion inspection&#;s high speed testing ensures uninterrupted continuous motion inspection of containers.

Benefits of VeriCon technology:

1.designed especially for blow molding lines and indexing machinery integration, VeriCon Trimmer Systems are available in single and dual station configuration. VeriCon Trimmer leak detectors offer very high reliability and low maintenance, running 24/7.2.available in single or multi station configurations for standard online linear leak detection with high inspection speeds.3.available in 1 to 4 station configurations with inspection speeds up to 150 bottles/min. Continuous motion inspection&#;s high speed testing ensures uninterrupted continuous motion inspection of containers.

All VeriCon systems offer the following features and benefits:

• VeriCon technology uses high resolution non-drifting transducers thereby ensuring consistent leak detection.
• Accurate leak testing with repeatable results
• 24/7 operation
• Capable of accommodating multiple container specifications and test sensitivity requirement