Environmental conditions can have a very strong impact on things around us. Changes caused by the environment occur every day but are undetectable by the naked eye until they become serious enough to notice. One such factor is humidity. 

When exposed to severe conditions, humidity can change the properties of materials with undesirable results. Temperature and humidity tests form a vital part of quality control. These tests are usually conducted in industrial laboratories to help prevent and mitigate corrosion.  

Why Do Humidity Tests Need to be Conducted? 

Humidity tests are utilised to assess the corrosivity of materials or the possible negative impact of residual contaminants on products from the manufacturing process when exposed to a high humidity environment. The cabinet used in the tests has a humidity sensor and reliable feedback controller. Condensing humidity testing can be done by utilising specialised humidity cabinets. 

What is a Humidity Test? 

Humidity has a strong effect on product and material stress.  Proper protection against humidity can help extend the lifespan of a product. Fortunately, humidity can be accurately calculated. During humidity testing, the data obtained is essential to the planning and selection of things like paint, coatings, materials, and products. 

A humidity test involves a type of corrosion analysis technique to aid in determining the corrosion rates present in the materials being tested. Materials are exposed to certain corrosive products and a variety of different environmental factors to study the corrosion impact on certain industrial materials. It forms an integral part of quality control to help prevent and mitigate corrosion. 

Conduct Humidity Tests

How is a Humidity Test Conducted? 

During testing, humidity is specifically controlled for corrosion analysis. It is used for a wide range of products from electrodeposited coatings or paints to copper tube systems. They assess the corrosivity of materials or the impacts on products from substances such as residual contaminants. 

A cyclic humidity test is a variation of humidity tests performed to replicate high humidity and heat exposure inside a cabinet with a humidity sensor and feedback controller. Various things are studied such as mechanical failures, parameter shift failures, and coat degradation among others. All are important in helping to maintain quality in operations. 

The packaging industry is particularly susceptible to the effects of humidity. Humidity is called the biggest enemy of adhesion and manufacturers constantly have to deal with problems associated with weak adhesive strength caused by humid conditions. For example, to check whether a package can survive expected humid conditions the strength of the material can be tested in a humidity chamber with up to 95% humidity. 

Humidity can also affect the colour and printing on the packaging which often contains important information which is why humidity testing is so important for the packaging industry. 

How are Humidity and Temperature Tests Performed? 

Technician experts perform these tests by immersing materials or products in artificial environments. It also involves testing chambers in which humidity and temperature variations are controlled, induced, evaluated, and monitored. They include the use of apparatus and vibration tables to regulate exposure to abrasives like dust and sand.  

Humidity in the air is the most common reason for corrosion. This is why there is a need for humidity tests and a humidity chamber that can easily simulate humid conditions and judge the response of materials to those conditions. Any product with raw materials can be affected by humidity and testing is in high demand by automotive industries, the packaging industry, paints and coating, paper and rubber products, and many more.

Compliance Engineering Temperature & Humidity Testing

Compliance Engineering operates an internationally accredited temperature and humidity testing laboratory and has decades of experience. Our services include EMC testing and compliance, temperature & humidity testing, on-site EMC measurements, and EMC consultancy, among others.

Please call us today on + 61 3 9763 3079 or request a quote.