What's Next in Leak Detection

Alternative Tracer Gases and Improved Sensitivity

Helium is the tracer gas best suited when looking for very small leaks. Traditionally, INFICON used helium as a tracer gas. However, in many industrial applications other tracer gases are used, e.g. hydrogen (in mix with nitrogen) or carbon dioxide. These tracer gases are less precious and costly than helium and contribute to lower manufacturing costs in industrial applications. INFICON recognizes the need for alternative tracer gas products and has invested in expanding its portfolio through the recent acquisitions of hydrogen leak detectors from the former Sensistor division from Pfeiffer Vacuum, and a small division of Applied Sensors. These acquisitions give INFICON additional products, and more importantly expertise in hydrogen tracer gas applications.

Today, there are significantly more applications which can be covered by hydrogen leak testing than applications which absolutely require helium leak testing. To further expand this range, INFICON will release a new dedicated sniffer leak detector for hydrogen tracer gas in the second half of 2013 for more demanding leak testing applications. We will have more news about this exciting product introduction in upcoming newsletters. If you have an immediate need for leak detection using hydrogen tracer gas, please contact your local sales representative who will help you find the best alternative based on existing INFICON hydrogen leak detectors.

More Complete Solutions

In addition to the leak detector, successful leak detection systems rely on application know-how and support, as well as suitable complementary products that enable an easy adoption of leak detection products to the production process. To this end, INFICON has released the Sensistor ILS500 F Leak Detection Filler. The filling station can be used for filling parts under test with helium or hydrogen and works with all INFICON tracer gas leak detectors. Learn more about the ILS500 F Leak Detection Filler in this issue.

Expanding the Leak Detection Range

INFICON has historically developed leak detectors that detect smaller and smaller leak rates; most recently with the introduction of the PERNICKA 700H for even smaller leak rates in hermetically sealed parts.  As we move forward, we are expanding the range of leak detection products to include cost effective solutions for larger leak rates. A first step was the introduction of the T-Guard Leak Detection Sensor (2009) which has generated many new applications for INFICON products as it closes the gap between pressure decay / water bath applications and helium hard vacuum testing. Now INFICON has made T-Guard even better by releasing a new software version to speed-up leak testing for larger leak rates. Click here to read the full article in this issue.