Why climate tests?
Humidity can be one of the greatest challenges for technical products. While external stresses like vibrations or shocks often visibly lead to damage, humid conditions usually act invisibly—until it’s too late.
This is where climate tests come into play. They simulate various environmental conditions and help detect errors early. However, not all climate tests are the same.
Constant Damp Heat – The Stealthy Destroyer
In this test (e.g., according to IEC 60068-2-78), a product is exposed to constant high humidity and temperature over an extended period—often at 40°C to 65°C and 93% humidity.
What happens during this?
☠️ Corrosion on metal parts, solder joints, and connectors
⚡ Leakage currents due to reduced insulation resistance
🛠️ Delamination of multilayer printed circuit boards
🔄 Material changes like swelling of plastics
Such tests are essential to ensure that products function long-term in humid climates or moist production environments.
Cyclic Damp Heat – Stress for Materials
Unlike constant damp heat, this test simulates changing conditions. This means:
🌡 Temperature rises and falls
💧Humidity condenses and evaporates
🛠 Materials expand and contract
This cycle can lead to extreme stresses:
❌ Microcracks in solder joints
❌ Oxidation due to condensation
❌ Connectors losing contact ability
❌ Seals losing their function
This test is particularly important for the automotive and railway industries, as products there are exposed to strong temperature fluctuations and high humidity.
Why You Should Integrate Climate Tests into Your Product Development
Choosing the right climate test can determine a product’s lifespan. Those who rely solely on laboratory tests under ideal conditions risk high failure rates later.
Our experience at enveon shows: The earlier climate tests are incorporated into development, the lower the risk of costly recalls or warranty claims.
Do you implement climate tests early on or only in the final test?
