LabCompanion HH-138 High Temperature Aging Test Chamber

Overview

The LabCompanion HH-138 High Temperature Aging Test Chamber is a precision-engineered environmental test system designed for controlled thermal aging, drying, baking, and heat-treatment applications in R&D laboratories and production QA/QC environments. Based on forced convection thermodynamics, the chamber maintains stable, uniform temperature distribution across its 72-liter working volume through a calibrated air circulation architecture—comprising a high-temperature-rated centrifugal fan, optimized duct geometry, and symmetrical heater placement. Its operational range spans from ambient +10°C up to 300°C, enabling accelerated life testing of electronic components (e.g., LEDs, LCDs, quartz crystals, capacitors, and resistors), polymeric materials, pharmaceutical excipients, and coated substrates. The unit adheres to fundamental thermal stability principles defined in IPC-TM-650 Section 2.6.25 (Temperature Cycling and Thermal Aging) and supports method development aligned with ASTM D3045 (Standard Practice for Heat Aging of Plastics) and IEC 60068-2-2 (Environmental Testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry Heat).

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based PID temperature controller with dual LED display showing both setpoint and real-time chamber temperature
• Precise digital timer (0–999 minutes) supporting unattended operation with automatic shutdown
• Mirror-finish AISI 304 stainless steel interior chamber—welded using argon arc process for corrosion resistance and cleanability
• Dual-layer thermal insulation combining ultra-fine glass wool and rock wool, minimizing heat loss and external surface temperature rise
• High-reliability nickel-chromium alloy sheathed heating elements mounted behind perforated rear panels for uniform radiant-conductive heat transfer
• Environmentally compliant silicone rubber door gasket ensuring tight thermal seal without off-gassing at elevated temperatures
• RS485 serial interface compliant with Modbus RTU protocol, enabling integration with SCADA systems, data loggers, or custom LabVIEW/Python-based monitoring software
• Robust mechanical design referencing structural benchmarks from industrial-grade thermal chambers (e.g., Heraeus standards), including reinforced frame rigidity and vibration-damped mounting

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HH-138 accommodates non-flammable, non-explosive solid and semi-solid samples—including PCB assemblies, passive components, polymer films, ceramic substrates, and lyophilized pharmaceutical intermediates. Its internal dimensions (450 × 400 × 400 mm) support standard ISO/IEC 17025-compliant sample racks and multi-tier trays. All materials in contact with the test environment meet RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU restrictions. While not certified to UL 61010-1 or IEC 61000-6-4 out-of-the-box, the chamber’s electrical architecture—including EMI-filtered power input and grounded chassis—is engineered to facilitate third-party safety and EMC validation. It supports GLP/GMP-aligned workflows via optional audit-trail-enabled software modules that record timestamped temperature logs, operator IDs, and cycle parameters—fully traceable for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed with validated electronic signatures.

Software & Data Management

The HH-138 operates in standalone mode via its front-panel controller but offers full remote supervision capability via RS485. When connected to a host PC running LabCompanion’s optional ThermalLog Pro software (v3.2+), users gain access to real-time graphing, alarm-triggered email/SMS notifications, CSV export of time-stamped temperature profiles, and automated report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.8.2 (Reporting of Results). Data integrity is preserved through cyclic redundancy check (CRC)-protected transmission and local EEPROM storage of last 100 cycles—even during brief power interruptions. Firmware updates are delivered via secure HTTPS download and verified using SHA-256 hash authentication.

Applications

• Accelerated thermal aging of electronic packaging materials per JEDEC JESD22-A108
• Pre-conditioning of sensors and MEMS devices prior to functional testing
• Moisture removal from hygroscopic polymers before tensile or DMA analysis
• Baking of photoresist-coated wafers in microfabrication pilot lines
• Stability testing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) under ICH Q1A(R2) long-term and accelerated conditions
• Post-cure thermal treatment of composite laminates and adhesive bonds
• Calibration verification of thermocouples and RTDs using fixed-point reference blocks

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous operating temperature of the HH-138?
The chamber is rated for continuous operation up to 300°C, with thermal cut-off protection activated at 320°C.
Does the HH-138 support ramp-soak profiles?
No—the standard configuration supports only constant-temperature (setpoint hold) operation. Multi-step profiling requires optional firmware upgrade and external programmable controller integration.
Can the unit be used for humidity-controlled aging?
No—this is a dry-heat-only chamber. Humidity control requires a separate environmental test chamber model (e.g., LabCompanion TH-218).
Is NIST-traceable calibration documentation available?
Yes—factory calibration certificates (including as-found/as-left data against NIST-traceable reference standards) are provided upon request, with optional annual recalibration service contracts.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal performance?
Inspect door gasket integrity and clean air intake filters every 200 operating hours; verify PT100 sensor accuracy annually using a calibrated dry-block calibrator.