New E-Book Guide to Leak Testing for the Automotive Industry

The new INFICON e-book, “Leak Testing in the Automotive Industry: A Comprehensive Guide to Leak Detection,” is designed to help manufacturers avoid possible pitfalls when selecting a leak detection method for their particular application. The e-book can be downloaded, free of charge, at inficon.com/automotiveindustry-ebook

Part One

Part One of the guide explains the basics of leak testing and describes the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods for leak testing and leak location: from water bath and pressure decay, as well as vacuum decay, to testing with helium in accumulation and vacuum chambers. Also the most common tracer gases – helium, hydrogen / forming gas and operating fluids like the refrigerants HFO-1234yf and CO2 are introduced.

Part Two

Part Two of the e-book presents specific applications of different leak testing methods in the automotive industry. The e-book explains which components of a vehicle are typically tested with which test method and to what leak rate. This ranges from components of the air conditioner, to drive train modules, to safety related car components. The e-book also shows in which applications older leak testing methods like water bath or pressure decay are getting to their limits and sometimes suggest a wrong reliability.

Additionally, the Top 10 common errors in leak testing in the automotive industry are explained in detail. Common errors include contamination of the test piece, ignored temperature or pressure influences during testing, and unidentified stringer of gross leaks.