OK Instruments OK-TH-12 Benchtop Temperature and Humidity Controlled Environmental Test Chamber
| Brand | OK Instruments |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | OK-TH-12 |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop |
| Cooling Method | Air-Cooled |
| Temperature Range | −20 °C to +150 °C |
| Humidity Range | 20–98 % RH |
| Temperature Deviation | ≤ ±2 °C |
| Temperature Fluctuation | ±1 °C (high-temp), ±2 °C (low-temp) |
| Humidity Deviation | ≤ ±3 % RH |
| Humidity Fluctuation | ±3 % RH |
| Heating Rate | 1.0–3.0 °C/min |
| Internal Chamber Dimensions (W×D×H) | 600 × 500 × 400 mm |
Overview
The OK Instruments OK-TH-12 is a benchtop environmental test chamber engineered for precision-controlled temperature and humidity aging studies in compliance with international reliability testing standards. It operates on the fundamental principles of psychrometric control—utilizing dry-bulb/wet-bulb sensor pairs for real-time relative humidity calculation—and integrated thermodynamic regulation via a dual-mode HVAC system. Temperature is actively managed through a cascade-capable air-cooled refrigeration circuit combined with PID-regulated resistive heating elements; humidity is modulated via steam-generation humidification (electrically heated pure-water vapor injection) and condensate-based dehumidification. Unlike accelerated thermal cycling chambers, the OK-TH-12 is optimized for steady-state, long-duration exposure protocols—enabling evaluation of material degradation kinetics, electrical insulation integrity, dimensional stability, and chemical aging under sustained climatic stress.
Key Features
- Benchtop footprint (600 × 500 × 400 mm internal volume) designed for laboratory space efficiency without compromising test validity
- Air-cooled refrigeration architecture eliminating need for external water chiller infrastructure or drainage plumbing
- Independent PID control loops for temperature and humidity, ensuring decoupled regulation and minimal cross-talk during extended holds
- Stainless steel 304 interior chamber with seamless welds and corrosion-resistant insulation—compliant with ISO 16750-4 and GB/T 10586 requirements for chamber uniformity and surface inertness
- Integrated safety suite: over-temperature cut-off, compressor overload protection, low-water-level alarm, and ground-fault circuit interruption (GFCI)
- Touchscreen PLC controller with programmable multi-step profiles, real-time data logging (timestamped), and USB export capability for audit-ready traceability
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The OK-TH-12 accommodates samples up to 1/3 of internal volume while maintaining ≥90% airflow uniformity across the working zone—validated per IEC 60068-3-5 and GB/T 2423.3 Annex A. Its operating envelope supports standard aging protocols for electronic assemblies (e.g., JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level pre-conditioning), automotive interior trim (SAE J2412 UV + humidity cycling), polymer composites (ASTM D4329 UV/weathering correlation), and pharmaceutical packaging (ICH Q1A(R2) long-term stability storage conditions). All control algorithms and sensor calibrations conform to GLP-aligned documentation practices; optional NIST-traceable calibration certificates are available upon request for regulatory submissions.
Software & Data Management
The embedded control firmware supports user-defined test sequences—including ramp-hold cycles, dwell periods, and stepwise humidity transitions—with up to 100 segments per program. Logged parameters (chamber setpoint, actual temperature/humidity, elapsed time, alarm status) are stored locally with 30-day buffer retention and exportable as CSV via USB 2.0. While the base system does not include FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures or audit trail functionality, it provides raw timestamped data suitable for import into validated LIMS or ELN platforms. Remote monitoring via Ethernet is supported through Modbus TCP protocol for integration into centralized facility management systems.
Applications
- Electronics reliability: High-temperature/high-humidity (HTHH) bias testing of PCBAs, conformal coating adhesion assessment, and lithium-ion battery swelling analysis at 85 °C / 85 % RH
- Automotive component validation: Accelerated corrosion testing of fasteners, fogging behavior of dashboard polymers, and sealant compression set under cyclic humidity
- Materials science: Hydrolytic degradation kinetics of polyesters and polyamides, color shift quantification (ΔE) in pigmented plastics per ASTM D2244, and tensile property decay in elastomers
- Pharmaceutical QA: Stability-indicating storage of primary packaging (blister foil, HDPE bottles) per ICH Q5C guidelines, supporting shelf-life assignment
- Academic research: Climate-driven fungal growth inhibition studies, hygroscopic expansion modeling of wood composites, and moisture diffusion coefficient derivation using gravimetric methods
FAQ
What distilled water specifications are required for humidification?
Deionized or distilled water with conductivity ≤5 µS/cm must be used to prevent scale formation in the steam generator and ensure sensor longevity.
Can this chamber operate at −20 °C and 95 % RH simultaneously?
No—condensation limits practical humidity at sub-zero temperatures; operation below 0 °C is restricted to ≤80 % RH per ISO 16750-4 Annex B.
Is third-party calibration included with purchase?
Factory calibration is performed pre-shipment; NIST-traceable certification with uncertainty budgets is available as an optional add-on service.
How is temperature uniformity verified across the working zone?
Uniformity is measured per GB/T 2423.3 Clause 5.2 using nine calibrated PT100 sensors placed at standardized locations; typical deviation is ±1.8 °C at 60 °C hold.
Does the chamber support unattended weekend-long tests?
Yes—the system includes power-loss recovery mode and continuous logging; maximum uninterrupted runtime exceeds 168 hours under nominal load conditions.
