Bubble Leak Tester
Visual vacuum bubble leak testing or underwater leak testing works by immersing the packages underwater in a transparent water bath It is a globally popular method for leak testing of packages that contain headspace.
The bubble emission test is a one of the widely available leak testing techniques for testing of package seal integrity. Leak tests are crucial to ensure that the products are protected against external contamination that may degrade the products quality. The tests are usually performed to mimic the harshest conditions that the packages may experience during their entire product lifecycle such as during manual handling or freight transport.
As the bubble leak test involves direct contact with water, the tested packages cannot be reused or distributed to the customers due to the fear of cross-contamination. Therefore, manufacturers should be wary that using bubble leak testing will increase production waste, depending on the quantity of tests conducted per day.
Operating principle of Bubble Leak Detector
Leak testing using bubble leak detectors is generally described as submerging the packages underwater and visually checking for leaks. Vacuum is applied to the test chamber to exert pressure on the packages, which levels are decided by the amount of stress expected to be experienced by the packages during their lifecycle. Leaks, if present, will be demonstrated by stream of bubbles rising from the exact location of leaks.
In addition, the parameters for the test, such as the vacuum level and the testing time may vary based on the types of requirements and methods for packaging. This leak testing technique is easy to implement and widely recognizable, however, is not reliable in the long-term due to its heavy reliance on operator for manual leak determination. The main advantage of the bubble leak testers is to be able to pinpoint the exact leak locations, which allows the operator to immediately adjust the problematic machine to prevent leak in further batches.
With over 30 years of experience, SealTick is the leading supplier of leak tester equipment for the food and pharmaceutical industry . To learn more about our systems, contact us on 03 9540 5100 or email sealtick@bestech.com.au to get in touch with one of our product specialists.