OK Environmental Test Chamber OK-TH-150.1

Overview

The OK Environmental Test Chamber OK-TH-150.1 is a benchtop temperature and humidity controlled chamber engineered for precision environmental simulation in reliability engineering and physical property validation. It operates on the principle of closed-loop thermohygrometric control—integrating resistive heating, steam-based humidification, and air-cooled refrigeration—to replicate defined climatic stress profiles across a wide operational envelope. Designed for laboratory-scale accelerated testing, it supports standardized environmental stress screening (ESS), HALT/HASS pre-screening protocols, and long-term stability assessment under static or dynamic thermal-hygric conditions. Its architecture complies with fundamental requirements for controlled environment testing per IEC 60068-2-1 (cold), IEC 60068-2-2 (dry heat), IEC 60068-2-30 (damp heat, cyclic), and ISO 16750-4 (road vehicles—environmental conditions). The chamber’s stainless-steel interior, optimized internal airflow distribution, and dual-sensor feedback loop ensure reproducible thermal and hygric field uniformity—critical for comparative testing across product batches or material lots.

Key Features

• Benchtop form factor with compact 150 L internal volume (500 × 600 × 500 mm), enabling integration into QC labs, R&D workstations, and small-footprint production environments.
• Wide operational range: -40 °C to +150 °C temperature and 20–98 % RH humidity—capable of simulating sub-zero storage, tropical ambient, and high-temperature/high-humidity aging conditions.
• Air-cooled refrigeration system eliminates dependency on external water supply or drainage infrastructure, enhancing installation flexibility and reducing maintenance overhead.
• Steam-generation humidification via electric boiler ensures rapid RH response and stable saturation control—even at elevated temperatures where shallow-pan evaporation systems exhibit hysteresis.
• Dual PID-controlled heating and cooling circuits enable independent modulation of temperature and humidity, minimizing cross-coupling effects during ramp-and-soak cycles.
• Internal circulation fan with adjustable speed maintains ≤ ±2 °C temperature uniformity and ≤ ±3 % RH uniformity across the working volume—verified per ASTM E145 Annex A4 methodology.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-TH-150.1 accommodates diverse sample geometries—including PCB assemblies, polymer specimens, battery cells, optical components, medical device packaging, and coated substrates—without requiring custom fixtures. Its corrosion-resistant 304 stainless-steel chamber, non-contaminating silicone gaskets, and low-outgassing internal surfaces prevent unintended chemical interaction during extended exposure. The unit meets structural and safety requirements outlined in UL 3101-1 and EN 61010-1 for electrical equipment used in laboratory environments. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, its analog/digital interface supports integration with validated third-party data acquisition systems that provide audit trails, electronic signatures, and role-based access control for GLP/GMP-regulated applications.

Software & Data Management

The chamber is equipped with an embedded microprocessor controller featuring a graphical LCD interface for local programming of multi-step test profiles—including constant, ramp, and cyclic temperature/humidity sequences. Real-time logging records temperature and RH values at user-defined intervals (1 s to 60 min), storing up to 10,000 data points internally. Optional RS485/Modbus RTU or USB-to-serial connectivity enables bidirectional communication with PC-based SCADA platforms or LIMS. Exported CSV files are compatible with statistical process control (SPC) software and support traceability per ISO/IEC 17025 calibration documentation requirements. Firmware updates are performed via secure USB drive—no cloud dependency or remote vendor access required.

Applications

• Electronics: Thermal cycling of solder joints, moisture sensitivity level (MSL) evaluation per J-STD-020, and bias-HAST precursor testing.
• Automotive: Validation of infotainment displays, connectors, and adhesives under ISO 16750-4 Level 3a/3b conditions.
• Pharmaceutical Packaging: Accelerated stability studies per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines using controlled humidity chambers for blister foil delamination analysis.
• Polymers & Elastomers: Assessment of hydrolytic degradation kinetics in polyurethanes, nylons, and polyesters under 60 °C / 95 % RH conditions.
• PV Modules: Damp heat pre-conditioning prior to IEC 61215 mechanical load testing or potential-induced degradation (PID) evaluation.
• Building Materials: Freeze-thaw cycling of sealants and coatings per ASTM C1583 and moisture absorption rate measurement per ASTM D570.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable sample mass for thermal stability within the chamber?
Thermal inertia from large or high-thermal-mass samples may affect chamber recovery time and uniformity. For optimal performance, total sample volume should not exceed 30 % of internal chamber volume.
Does the chamber support programmable humidity-only cycles without temperature change?
Yes—the controller allows independent RH setpoint modulation at fixed temperature, enabling isothermal humidity stress tests such as condensation susceptibility evaluation.
Is calibration certificate included with shipment?
A factory calibration report (traceable to NIM, China) is provided; full ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration requires third-party service and is recommended annually.
Can the unit operate continuously at 150 °C and 98 % RH simultaneously?
No—maximum RH is limited to ~70 % at 150 °C due to physical vapor pressure constraints; the specified 20–98 % RH range applies within the overlapping operational envelope (-10 °C to +85 °C).
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
Condenser coil cleaning every 3 months, humidifier tank descaling biweekly, and door gasket inspection quarterly—documented in the operator manual per ISO 9001 preventive maintenance clause.