Introduction
Climate chambers and Environmental chambers are specialized equipment which are used to test the product performance and efficiency under various environmental conditions. They do this by simulating real life conditions from which the product might go through and apply them on the product in the test chambers. Climate chambers and environmental chambers are great tools for research and development process. They have helped many scientists and manufacturers to understand and improve product condition.
Climate and environmental chambers subject prototypes to different environmental conditions. These include temperature, pressure, altitude, humidity, vibrations and many more. Most of the time, climate and environmental chambers are used interchangeably. Yet, there is a slight difference between these two which marks a boundary between them. This article explores the key differences between climate chambers and environmental chambers.
I. Climate Chambers
Climate chambers check the durability and strength of products. They do so under various temperature and humidity levels. These chambers are specific to simulating temperature and humidity conditions for the prototype. They test the design compatibility, strength and durability of the prototype. For instance, these chambers might be used to test how a new car performs under extreme hot or cold.
Climate chambers are used in various industries. This includes automotive, aerospace, electronics and material science industries.
Specifications
Following are the specifications of climate chambers:
1. Temperature
Climate chambers are used to test the product efficiency under various temperature ranges. This can go from very hot to very cold. The average temperature range for this purpose is from -70 degrees to 180 degrees. This range clearly shows the extreme temperature conditions which climate chambers can mimic. It helps in understanding the product’s properties and proficiencies in extreme temperature conditions.
2. Humidity
Climate chambers also simulate humid conditions for different products. They can simulate humidity levels from 10 percent to 98 percent. This mechanism is useful for products which are used in high humid conditions. Such conditions are usually present in tropic regions.
3. Thermal Cycling
Climate chambers are extremely useful to test products which undergo abrupt temperature ranges. They could go from extremely low to extremely high rapidly. For this purpose, climate chambers simulate thermal cycling. It subjects its prototypes under rapid changing thermal conditions. This helps in determining the potential flaws in products which experience rapid changes.
II. Environmental Chambers
Environmental chambers are also used to simulate the environmental conditions for the products. But, they do so on a broader scale. Unlike climate chambers, environmental chambers are not confined to temperature and humidity testing. They can also test altitude, vibrations, pressure and many more. Environmental chambers detect potential flaws in any product by simulating many environmental factors. This gives a comprehensive and detailed understanding to the manufacturers. This also helps in improving product before finally launching it into the market.
Environmental chambers are used in various industries. This includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, aerospace and automotive industries.
Specifications
Following are the specifications of environmental chambers:
1. Temperature and Humidity
Environmental chambers also test the temperature and humidity conditions of the products. The only difference comes in their temperature and humidity range. They can simulate temperature changes from -40 degrees to 100 degrees. This is a little narrower than the simulations of climate chambers. For humidity, they can have relative humidity from 10 percent to 95 percent. This is also a little narrower than the climate chambers. Yet, this helps in understanding the behavior of various materials under these conditions.
2. Altitude
Environmental chambers also test the properties of materials under high and low altitude. For high altitude, it reduces the atmospheric pressure. For low altitude, it increases the atmospheric pressure. This is very useful to determine the behavior of aircrafts and space shuttles.
3. Vibrations
Environmental chambers test the performance of materials under high vibrations as well. This includes cars, bikes, aircrafts and many more. Every material is subjected to vibrations in this world. To understand their behavior, it is vital to test them in environmental chambers.
Conclusion
To conclude, both chambers are important for the testing of products. They may differ on some subtle details. For instance, climate chambers only test temperature and humid conditions. While environmental chambers test many other factors too. Their use may depend upon the need of the industry. They have applications in electronics industry, aerospace and automotive industries as well.
