Upgrade yourwater bath testing
Why tracer gas testing offers you benefits

LEAK TESTING EXPERTISE
T O S U P P O R T YO U R B U S I N E S S

Tracer gas testing –safe, fast and economical
IN MANY INDUSTRIES TODAY COMPONENTS, PARTS AND SYSTEMS MUST BE LEAK TESTED.
THE LEAK TEST IS INTENDED TO BE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.
Production managers are faced with special challenges inthe industrial leak testing sector. On the one hand, requirements regarding the leak tightness of a component areoften not set or not clearly specified. On the other hand, thevariety of test methods and their levels of performance are
frequently unknown. INFICON’s innovative leak testing
technology, based on the tracer gas principle, has technicalmeasuring advantages compared to the water bath method. Every required quality class has a cost-optimized testmethod.

INFICON – YOUR LEAK TESTING PARTNER■■DISADVANTAGES OF THE WATER BATH TEST• Whether bubbles are detected or not is always dependent
on the individual tester. If the test piece has a complex
shape or the location of the leak cannot be seen, a tester
may not see the bubbles emerge. Even contaminatedwater can lead to overlooked bubbles.

■■• The water bath test is often not suitable to actually detect
the required leak rate.

Close to you – Worldwide sales and service with highlyqualified application consulting and support
Reliable and precise – More than 100 times moresensitivity than a water bath leak test.
Repeatable even in unfavourable ambient conditions
Highly economical – Low operating costs
Large product portfolio – Leak detectors for helium,
forming gas and final media such as refrigerants, naturalgas and more• The size of the leak cannot be quantified.
■Excellent usability – Simple to use

LIMITS OF WATER BATH TESTINGLEAK RATESAt a leak rate of 0.06 sccm, one bubble per second forms
under ideal conditions, but at a leak rate of 0.006 sccm, it
takes 30 seconds until a single, small bubble forms.
In reality, the bubbles do not detach from the component
surface easily. That is why this method is limited to a leakrate of 0.6 sccm, which severely restricts its potential
industrial usage.

Requirement

Leak rate[mbar l/s]

Leak rate[sccm]

Water-tight< 10–2< 0.6

Oil-tight< 10–3< 0.06

Vapor-tight< 10–3< 0.06Bacteria-proof< 10–4< 0.006

Gasoline-proof< 10–5< 0.0006

Gas-tight< 10–6< 6 · 10–5

Technically leak-tight< 10–10< 6 · 10–9

Benefits of switching to the tracer gas method
1 THE TRACER GAS METHOD SAVES TIME
AND REDUCES COSTS

3 TRACER GAS METHOD – RELIABLE AND
ACCURATE

A bubble test is fast and cost-effective, but on closer
inspection several drawbacks become evident. After thewater bath, the wet test part must be dried, which takes
time and costs money.

The bubble test detects leaks that generate an easily visible flow of bubbles (up to 3 sccm). In order for just one
bubble to emerge, the test part must remain in the water
bath for quite some time with smaller leaks.

The water in the test tank must be changed on a regularbasis. If chemicals are added, the tank contents must bedisposed of each time as hazardous waste.

One problem that should not be underestimated, is theinspector’s clear view of the test part and bubbles. A test
part with complex shape, a leak location that is not readily visible or dirty water can make it impossible for theinspector to see leaking bubbles.

The INFICON tracer gas method is completely different. It
gets the job done without water, chemicals andassociated expenses. Tracer gas testing does involve
costs for the tracer gases, but these can be offset for themost part by using a simple recovery unit. In addition,
INFICON measuring technology allows the most minutetest gas concentrations, which saves up to 95  % of thegas costs, depending on the application. If the tracer gas
method is integrated directly into the line, there is nocomplicated routing between production and the testtank. Finally, tracer gas testing reduces your warranty
costs as even the smallest leaks are found quickly andreliably.

The INFICON tracer gas method provides an effective
solution for identifying even the smallest leaks quickly
and reliably. Inaccurate leak testing and overlooked leaks
are now a thing of the past.

4 THE TEST GAS METHOD IS SUPERIOR TOSOAPING

Soaping, which involves spraying with a soaping
liquid, and the water bath method are closely related.
Both methods require an inspector to observe a bubble
formation which is highly dependent on the inspector’sskill and performance on any given day. The test piecemust not only dried but also be cleaned. In addition, withthe soaping method smaller leaks are not detectable.
The INFICON tracer gas method is the better alternative
to soaping.

2 GREATER OPERATIONAL SAFETY WITH THE
TRACER GAS METHOD

Since the tracer gas method does not require water andchemicals, there are no health and safety hazards associated with wet, slippery workplaces contaminated withhazardous substances. In addition, the tracer gas method
eliminates the need for monotonous work processes thatput significant strain on worker’s eyes. The INFICON
tracer gas method is the top choice for workplace safety
and ergonomics.

Premium Quality
made in GermanyTracer gas leak testing methods from INFICONACCUMULATION METHOD

Tracer gas

The test component is filled with tracer gas through its test port in an
accumulation chamber. Tracer gas which escapes through leaks in thechamber is equally distributed throughout the chamber via fans. The leakdetector measures the total leakage rate of the test component regardlessof the position of the leak.
As the test takes place under atmospheric conditions, simple and costeffective chamber systems can be used.

SNIFFER METHOD
The test component is filled with tracer gas or the operating medium. In
case of leaks the tracer gas will escape and will be detected by a sniffer
probe. The probe can be operated manually or automatically by a robot.

Tracer gas

Tracer gas

This leak testing procedure can even be performed after a water bath test
to confirm and pinpoint leaks.

VACUUM METHOD
Generally, the test component is filled with tracer gas in an evacuatedvacuum chamber when using the vacuum method. In case of a leak, thetracer gas escapes there and is measured by a leak detector which isconnected to the vacuum chamber. Leak detection systems that use thevacuum method are characterized by exceptional measuring sensitivity
and extremely short measuring times.

Tracer gasVacuum[sccm]

100

1010.10.010.00110-4

10-5

10-6

10-7

10-8

Water bath leak testing

INFICON accumulation method

INFICON sniffer method

INFICON vacuum method

Contact us!
www.inf icon.com

reachus@in f ico n .co m

Due to our continuing programme of product improvements, specifications are subject to change without notice.
miab01en1-01-(1512)©2015 INFICON