OK-YT Series Liquid Bath Thermal Shock Test Chamber

Overview

The OK-YT Series Liquid Bath Thermal Shock Test Chamber is an engineered environmental test system designed for rapid, high-fidelity thermal cycling of materials and components under controlled dual-bath conditions. Unlike air-based thermal shock chambers, this system employs separate liquid-immersion hot and cold reservoirs—each thermally stabilized via independent heating and cryogenic refrigeration circuits—to deliver precise, reproducible temperature transitions. The test specimen remains stationary within a vertically indexed stainless-steel basket; thermal shock is induced by pneumatically actuated transfer between the hot and cold baths, eliminating airflow-induced convective artifacts and ensuring uniform thermal loading across complex geometries. This architecture complies with fundamental requirements of thermal shock testing per ASTM D6927, IEC 60068-2-14, and MIL-STD-810H Method 503.5, where transient thermal gradients must exceed 10 °C/s at the surface while maintaining traceable temperature profiles in both reservoirs.

Key Features

• Large-format color LCD touchscreen controller with intuitive HMI interface, real-time graphical display of chamber status, setpoint tracking, and alarm history logging.
• Dual-circuit refrigeration system featuring hermetic or semi-hermetic compressors, eco-friendly R404A/R23 blended refrigerant, and plate-type heat exchangers for stable cold zone performance down to −70 °C.
• Liquid bath design ensures superior thermal mass stability, reduced overshoot, and higher repeatability compared to forced-air thermal shock systems—critical for qualification testing of aerospace composites and medical device housings.
• Integrated LAN interface compliant with TCP/IP protocol enables remote monitoring, parameter adjustment, and data export via standard Ethernet networks; supports Modbus TCP for SCADA integration.
• Multi-mode operation: independent high-temperature, low-temperature, and programmable thermal shock cycles—including customizable dwell times, transition rates, and cycle counts.
• Pre-conditioning logic allows automatic pre-heating or pre-cooling during standby, minimizing test cycle latency and improving throughput in high-volume QA labs.
• Full diagnostic suite with on-screen fault identification, maintenance reminders, and configurable alarm thresholds for compressor discharge pressure, refrigerant saturation temperature, and heater current draw.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OK-YT chamber accommodates rigid and semi-rigid specimens up to 70 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm (W×H×D), including PCB assemblies, sealed sensor modules, polymer enclosures, metallic fasteners, and ceramic substrates. Its static-basket configuration eliminates mechanical vibration and positional drift, preserving integrity of solder joints and adhesive bonds during shock exposure. All models meet structural and operational requirements of GB/T 2423.1 (cold), GB/T 2423.2 (dry heat), GB/T 2423.22 (temperature change), GJB 150.5 (military thermal shock), and GJB 360.7 (electronic component qualification). Optional calibration certificates are available per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures, with NIST-traceable Pt100 sensors installed in both reservoirs and at the test zone center.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs time-stamped temperature data at user-defined intervals (1–60 s resolution) and stores up to 100 test programs with 999 segments each. Export formats include CSV and Excel-compatible .xls for post-test statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA of thermal strain-induced failure modes). Remote access supports firmware updates, program upload/download, and live trend visualization through a web browser. For regulated environments, optional software add-ons provide 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based user permissions—fully aligned with GLP and GMP documentation workflows.

Applications

This chamber serves critical validation functions across industries requiring accelerated life-cycle assessment of thermal reliability: qualification of avionics housing seals under NATO STANAG 4370; verification of battery pack thermal barrier integrity in EV powertrain development; screening of MEMS accelerometer die attach strength per AEC-Q200; evaluation of optical lens coating adhesion after repeated −65 °C/+150 °C cycling; and durability assessment of implantable device encapsulants per ISO 10993-12. Its liquid bath methodology is especially suited for samples with low thermal diffusivity or high surface-area-to-volume ratios, where air-based systems risk non-uniform thermal penetration.

FAQ

What is the maximum thermal transition rate achievable between hot and cold baths?

The system achieves effective thermal shock transitions exceeding 15 °C/s at the specimen surface when moving from +150 °C to −65 °C, verified using calibrated surface-mounted thermocouples per IEC 60068-2-14 Annex B.

Can the chamber operate continuously for extended qualification runs?

Yes—continuous operation is supported for up to 1,000 hours with scheduled auto-defrost cycles and real-time compressor load monitoring to prevent thermal overload.

Is third-party calibration support available?

Yes, factory-certified calibration services are offered with uncertainty budgets compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and documented traceability to national metrology institutes.

Does the system meet CE or UKCA marking requirements?

All OK-YT models are supplied with full EC Declaration of Conformity covering EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; UKCA documentation is available upon request.

What maintenance intervals are recommended for the refrigeration system?

Compressor oil and filter replacement is advised every 3,000 operating hours; refrigerant charge verification and leak detection should be performed annually by certified HVAC-R technicians.