Thermal chambers are specialized test environments that replicate extreme temperature and humidity conditions to assess product reliability, resilience, and compliance. Widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, these chambers subject materials and assemblies to accelerated thermal stress-both steady‑state and cycling-to uncover latent defects before products reach the field.
By combining precise heating, efficient cooling, and uniform airflow control with robust safety features, LIB's thermal chambers enable engineers to validate designs against the toughest standards.
【How Thermal Chambers Control Temperature and Airflow for Accurate Testing】
At the core of every thermal chamber lies an integrated heating, cooling, and circulation system engineered for precision:
1. Heating & Cooling Infrastructure
LIB chambers pair high‑performance French Tecumseh refrigeration compressors with Nichrome‑alloy electric heaters. Resistance elements deliver rapid temperature increases, while the compressor cycle extracts heat for deep‑cold profiling down to –70 °C. Typical ramp rates reach up to 5 °C/min (with options for 10 °C/min or 15 °C/min in fast‑change models), and cooling rates average 1 °C/min-enough to replicate sudden environmental shifts.
2. Airflow Distribution
Even temperature distribution is ensured by multi‑directional centrifugal fans. Conditioned air is drawn in through strategically placed bottom inlets and expelled through top outlets, creating a swirling, dead‑angle‑free airflow. This design holds internal variation to less than ±2 °C, so a small sensor in the front corner experiences identical conditions to a full‑size assembly at the rear.
3. Intelligent PID Control
A high‑resolution PT100 Class A probe continuously feeds real‑time temperature data (±0.001 °C resolution) into a PID (proportional‑integral‑derivative) controller. The controller adjusts heater output and compressor activity to maintain setpoints within ±0.5 °C over long‑duration tests. Humidity control (20 %–98 % RH) uses an electronic wet‑gauze sensor (±2.5 % RH accuracy) linked to the same PID logic, offering combined temperature‑humidity profiles.
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Main Component |
Function |
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Heaters |
Electrical resistance elements for rapid temperature elevation |
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Refrigeration Units |
Compressors & evaporators for efficient sub‑ambient cooling |
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Air Circulation Fans |
Centrifugal fans ensuring uniform temperature and humidity distribution |
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PID Controller |
Real‑time feedback control to lock in temperature/humidity setpoints |
All parameters are monitored and logged via the 7‑inch color touchscreen controller. Users can store up to 120 test protocols, each with 100 programmable steps, and export data via Ethernet or USB in CSV format. Programmable alarms (over‑temperature, door ajar, over‑current) and multi‑language menus further enhance process security.
【Battery Application Testing with LIB Thermal Chambers】
Batteries power a vast range of modern devices-from electric vehicles (EVs) and grid storage to portable electronics. LIB's battery test chambers are specifically designed to accelerate real‑world aging and mechanical stresses under strictly controlled, yet fiercely challenging, conditions:
1. Explosion‑Proof & Fire‑Suppression Design
Chamber can features explosion‑proof construction with reinforced stainless‑steel workrooms and spark‑free interior components. Integrated smoke detectors and an automatic CO₂ fire‑extinguishing system activate within seconds of anomaly detection, safeguarding both operators and test samples.
2. Thermal Shock & Cycling Profiles
(1)2‑Zone Rapid‑Transfer Cycling:
−40 °C ↔ +120 °C in under 3 s, with user‑defined dwell times to probe electrode separator adhesion, detect micro‑cracks, and monitor internal resistance shifts (compliant with IEC 62660‑2, IEC 62133‑2).
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- Dual hot and cold chambers for robust battery thermal shock testing.
- Automatic basket transfer in under 3 s for rapid cycle transitions.
- Full temperature recovery within 5 min to maintain test throughput. - Integrated drainage system to prevent ice buildup on battery cell surfaces.
- Customizable Explosion‑proof design ensuring safe battery operation under stress. |
(2) 3‑Zone Air‑Circulation Cycling:
Sequential cold‑hot‑cold transitions achieving full recovery in ≤ 5 min. This "stationary‑specimen" method tests seal integrity, weld strength, and capacity retention (> 90 % after 100 cycles) per UL 1642 and IEC 61960.
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-Stationary battery packs stay in place, avoiding stress on welds and connectors.
-Pre‑heat and pre‑cool zones ensure uniform cell temperatures, reducing internal thermal gradients.
-Three zone enable rapid, consistent temperature shifts for reliable cycle profiling.
-Accommodates large modules and full-size packs for end‑to‑end battery validation.
-High‑throughput design boosts testing efficiency for volume production runs.
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By condensing years of service conditions into accelerated lab cycles, LIB battery chambers reduce development timelines, mitigate warranty risk, and ensure OEM compliance.
【LIB Thermal Chambers Offer Multiple Models: Benchtop, Reach-in, and Walk-in】
To suit diverse laboratory footprints and testing scales, LIB provides three primary chambr classes:
(1)Benchtop Thermal Chambers
- Compact footprint for R&D benches or quality labs
- Ranges: –40 °C to +150 °C with humidity control options
- Ideal for small components, sensors, and materials testing
(2)Reach‑in Thermal Chambers
- Mid‑size cabinets with pull‑out trays or turntables
- Workroom volumes up to 1 m³
- Access ports for real‑time data cables and probes
- Suited to medium‑sized assemblies, electronic modules, and automotive components
(3)Walk‑in Thermal Chambers
- Spacious interiors from 3 m³ to 30 m³ (customizable)
- Allows full‑scale automotive part testing, full battery packs, and large‑format materials
- Optional integrated vibration tables for HALT/HASS testing
- Roll‑in racks and adjustable shelving for ergonomic sample handling
Each model shares the same core technology-efficient refrigeration, precision heating, uniform airflow, and intelligent control-so labs can standardize their procedures across scales.
With industry‑leading performance, safety features like explosion‑proof walls and automatic fire suppression, and a broad array of models, LIB's thermal chambers empower engineers to master every extreme. Whether validating miniaturized electronics or full‑size EV battery packs, you gain the confidence that your products will withstand heat, cold, humidity, and beyond-long before they ever leave the lab.
Contact LIB today to discover how our advanced thermal chambers can elevate your testing protocols and ensure your products stand up to every extreme.
