Common Leak Testing Methods

Pressurized Fluid

Leaks are detected visibly or by measured decay by specialized fluid pressure gauges or electronic sensors.

Advantages

  • Simulates "real-world" conditions for parts designed to contain or pass fluid.
  • Performs superbly for testing at pressures above 500PSI.
  • Preferred for destructive testing (pressurize to burst).

Disadvantages

  • Added Costs: Parts often require cleaning/drying after test.
  • Time Consuming: The time required for fluid to leak through a small void in the part can be considerable, sometimes hours.
  • Messy: Fluid gets everywhere when testing using this method.
  • Costly Equipment: Equipment for fluid testing is often custom made per application and must consider containing fluid.

Pressurized Air/Gas

Leaks are detected visibly when immersed in fluid, or audibly when using sensitive "listening" devices or by electronic sensors when using pressure-decay instruments.

Advantages

  • Fast: As air molecules are roughly 500X smaller than water molecules. Can detect much smaller voids in parts in considerably less time than fluid testing.
  • Low Cost: Sensitive equipment is available by many manufacturers at far lower costs than sensitive fluid systems.
  • Clean: Parts do not have to be cleaned of fluids after test.

Disadvantages

  • Very costly to achieve pressures above 500PSI.
  • As air compresses so much more than fluid, can be difficult to use for some destructive tests.
  • Only represents (does not duplicate) "real-world" testing for parts containing or passing fluid.

Vacuum

Leaks are detected visibly when immersed in fluid (liquid entry into part) or by specialized electronic vacuum sensors or gauges with vacuum-decay instruments.

Advantages

  • Ideal for parts that will have internal vacuum applied.
  • Can create leak paths that cannot be replicated by pressure testing such as dynamic seals ("o" rings and rubber diaphragm valves).

Disadvantages

  • Not good for testing parts that would otherwise have pressure applied internally in actual application as the vacuum may inadvertently seal small voids in flexible parts.
  • Vacuum is limited to approximately -14.7 PSI (ideal vacuum). With typical vacuum pumps, only -10 PSI or so may be possible.