Leak testing guides & FAQ
Plain answers to the questions engineers ask before buying a leak testing machine.
Guides
Helium vs pressure decay leak testing: which does your part need?
When air testing is enough, when it isn't, and how to decide.
Helium leak test methods explained: inside-out, outside-in, sniffer and accumulation
How each method works and which parts it suits.
Coming next
- How to set a reject leak rate
- What a helium recovery unit pays back
- Leak testing EV battery packs
Frequently asked questions
What leak rate can helium testing detect?
Helium mass spectrometer leak detectors can measure leaks many orders of magnitude smaller than air pressure-decay tests. The usable limit on a production machine depends on the test method, part volume and cycle time, so we set it for each application.
What is the unit mbar·l/s?
It is a leak rate: the amount of gas, expressed as pressure × volume, passing through a leak each second. 1 × 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s, for example, is a very small leak that only helium-level methods can measure reliably.
Is helium safe to use?
Helium is non-toxic, non-flammable and inert, so it does not react with the part. Good ventilation is still needed in enclosed spaces because any gas can displace oxygen.
How do I choose between vacuum and sniffer testing?
Vacuum methods give one accurate total leak rate for the whole part and suit production pass/fail testing. Sniffer testing locates where a leak is, which helps in repair and development. Many plants use both.
What do you need from us for a quotation?
A drawing or photo of the part, its internal volume if known, the reject leak rate or refrigerant/gas specification, test pressure, parts per shift and any traceability or line-integration needs.