Helium leak testing is widely used in various industries due to Helium’s ideal properties. Helium is non-toxic, non-flammable, and has a small atomic size that allows it to pass through even the smallest leaks. It can be mixed with other gases, like nitrogen, to reduce costs and improve detection efficiency. This technology is crucial for ensuring the integrity of sealed systems in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing.
There are two main methods for helium leak detection:
1. Vacuum method
Helium is sprayed onto a suspected leak location outside the vacuum chamber while the Heliot machine and vacuum pump continue to evacuate the chamber. If there is a leak, helium will pass through and enter the chamber, where it is detected by the Heliot machine’s mass spectrometer. The machine analyzes the helium molecules and calculates the leak rate. If no signal is detected, the next position is sprayed. This method is commonly used to check systems like air conditioning copper tubes, cooling radiators, and heat exchangers.
2. Sniffing method
This method is typically used to test small, hollow objects. After evacuating the inside of the sample, helium gas is pumped in, and the system is sealed. Then, a sniffing tool is used to scan all areas of the sample. If the detector senses helium, the location of the leak is marked and repaired.
Applications include testing copper pipes in air conditioners, cooling radiators, and heat exchangers.
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