Leak Testing: A Guide

Leak testing is a procedure that inspectors use to determine whether an object or system is functioning within a specific leak limit.

Leaks occur when there is a defect—a hole, crack, or some other kind of flaw—in an object, allowing whatever the liquid or gas it is holding to flow out. Leak testing uses pressure to find these defects so that they can be addressed as part of regular maintenance procedures.

In general, leak tests are performed on objects that are used to store or move liquids or gases.

Leak testing is one of the most commonly used inspection methods. It falls into the category of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods because inspectors can perform it without permanently altering or damaging the object they’re inspecting.

[Non-destructive leak testing is just one of the NDT methods that inspectors use. Learn more about NDT in this in-depth guide.]

What Is Leak Testing?

In leak testing, inspectors use pressure to identify the presence of defects in an object that are causing leaks.

When substances leak out of a container they flow from where the pressure is higher pressure to where it is lower. Leak testing leverages this phenomenon, using pressure to generate flow toward lower pressure—that is, the location of leaks—while carefully monitoring that flow.

When should leak testing be performed? Primarily when testing for flaws within a closed system.

The success of a leak test depends on the object that is being tested. Different types of materials and objects may respond differently to the high pressures typically used in leak testing to force a liquid or gas out of a defect, thus revealing its presence and location.

In leak testing materials, inspectors will be looking for defects like:

Cracks
Holes
Weak seals
Other flaws or imperfections that may be allowing a gas or liquid to leak out of an object or system

Here are the industries that commonly use leak testing as part of their maintenance processes:

Automotive
Consumer goods
Medical Devices
Packaging
Sealed Electronics

Advances in Leak Testing

Over the last several years, advancements in sensors, chips, valves, and other types of technology have helped make leak testing more sensitive and capable as an NDT method.

All of these advances have made leak testing faster and more accurate, and have in turn helped companies to improve the quality of their manufacturing processes and their overall output.

One of the biggest advances in leak testing has been the advent of the Internet of Things. Now, with an internet connection, inspectors can collect, monitor, and share leak testing data remotely, allowing them to get the information they need in a timely manner to ensure ideal maintenance.

This data can be evaluated not just by inspectors but also by manufacturing engineers, production managers, maintenance managers, and other stakeholders in the manufacturing process, allowing for improved, real-time insights into the conditions of the assets they’re using.

Leak Testing Methods

Here are some of the most common leak test methods:

Burst. This leak test method uses either a destructive or a non-destructive test that ramps pressure in order to find the point at which the device will break open (i.e., burst).
Chamber. This leak test method is used to identify defects that are causing leaks in a sealed environment, like a device or package, that was not built with an opening to allow for the introduction of pressure for leak testing.
Pressure crack. This leak test method is used to identify “weeping” in valves with a downstream sensor monitor.
Pressure / vacuum. This leak test method uses the pressurization of a test object and a reference volume. If a leak is present, the difference between the two will decrease. (This process is fully automatic.)
Pressure decay. This leak test method uses the pressure change of an object or system under positive pressure to identify defects that are causing leaks.
Vacuum decay. This leak test method uses the pressure change of an object or system under negative pressure to identify defects that are causing leaks.
Occlusion. This leak test method identified obstructions in the flow path of a gas to identify defects that are causing leaks.

The leak test pressure limit for leak tests typically uses low pressure. Most codes for leak test pressure limits call for the pressure to be at least 15 psi or 25% of the design pressure (whichever pressure is less).

Leak Testing Considerations

Because a leakage inspection requires inspectors to insert pressure into an object in order to identify leaks it has some unique considerations as an NDT method.

Here is an overview of things to keep in mind.

Acceptable leak rate

It’s important for inspectors and maintenance personnel to know the acceptable leak rate for an object or system when performing leak testing.

Not all leaks require maintenance—some may just require further monitoring, or even no action at all. Different industries will typically have guidelines detailing acceptable leak rates for different products and substances.

Manufacturing considerations

Before performing a leak test it’s important to consider the function for which a system, part, or object was originally made.

The target use case for a given object may require manufacturers to have created it in such a way that it will either retain or allow liquids to pass through it.

For example, a car part may be designed specifically so that gases can’t escape from it, or an IV may be designed to keep liquids inside it.

Material considerations

The substance that the object is made out of—its material—will impact a leak test, and should also be considered.

If a material is overly brittle or overly malleable, these qualities will directly relate to how the introduction of pressure will change the object, causing it to expand or change shape in some other way that should be considered when planning a leak test.

Medium considerations

The substance an object is made to hold must be considered when planning a leak test.

Different substances have different molecule sizes. When performing a leak test, it’s important to know the size of defect that might be acceptable, and the size that would be big enough to allow a specific liquid or gas to escape.

A related consideration is pressure, because different substances will respond differently to different ranges of pressure. A pressure range that is too high could potentially damage the object being tested, while a pressure range that is too low may return inconclusive results.

Leak Testing Equipment

Here are some examples of the types of equipment that is commonly used for various leak testing methods.

Air LeakAGE INSPECTION Devices

Photo credit: Zaxis

Air leak testing devices have displays that show inspectors data from ongoing leak tests. These devices can be used for a variety of types of leak testing, including vacuum decay, pressure decay, burst, chamber, and others.

Compact Pressure Decay Leak Tester

Photo credit: Zaxis

This kind of compact leak tester can be placed close to fixtures being used in leak testing, allowing inspectors to reduce the amount of connection volume needed for the test. This reduction in volume allows for a decrease in the time needed for the leak test and an increase in test sensitivity.

Large Display Leak Tester

Photo credit: Zaxis

Larger display leak testers like this one from Zaxis (called the 7i) have larger screens, greater internal capacity, larger test volumes, and allow for faster testing.

Leak Standard

Photo credit: Zaxis

Inspectors use leak standards to define the parameters of their leak test by creating a simulated leak in the part under test, or to compare multiple leak systems with each other.

Leak Testing Standards and Codes

Leak testing is commonly used for code-based inspections, and there will be a leak testing standard (or standards) in most countries that use these kind of tests for inspections.

Leak Testing: A Guide