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Leak Testing Primer

 

 
  Leak-Tec Thin Film Bubble Testing Solutions  

About Thin Film Leak Testing
Thin film bubble testing is the most common and one of the most reliable methods of detecting and locating gas leaks. Thin film leak testing has many inherent advantages:

It is easy to use and requires little operator training.
• It is inexpensive to use and not subject to break down like complex instrumentation.
• It operates immediately and continues to give indications.
• It can be extremely sensitive, finding leaks down to 1 x 10-6 (.000001) standard cc/second. The equivalent of losing a pound of Freon every 2,700 years.

 
With the increasing importance of thin film leak testing, the old time standby - soap and water - is gone forever. Soap and water has low sensitivity and tends to obscure small gas leaks by foaming when applied. Many industrial companies and organizations, such as the USAF, ASTM and ASME have banned the use of soap. These companies and organizations use and recommend only synthetic bubble solutions like Leak-Tec.

Over the last thirty-five years, Leak-Tec bubble solutions have become synonymous with quality liquid gas leak testing. With over 5,000 customers (including almost all of the Fortune 500 Industrials) depending upon us, we are called upon repeatedly to solve difficult leakage problems. As a result, we have developed and continue to improve upon the most comprehensive line of field proven bubble solutions. With this background of development technology, our products represent the forefront in leak testing science.

Leak-Tec formulas consist of mixtures of stable synthetic surfactants with low surface tension and low interfacial tension on metals, whether clean, tarnished, oily or covered with oxidation products. Leak-Tec wets, spreads evenly and rapidly and responds to minute leaks with clusters of bubbles which collapse and re-form continually (the eye can see this far better than the gradual growth of one or two larger bubbles). Leak-Tec is approximately neutral (in the same range as good quality water), keeps well, is immune to bacterial action and does not develop sediment for any reason. Leak-Tec is no more corrosive than water and leaves no undesirable residue upon evaporation (e.g. allows paint to adhere well even if not wiped or flushed away). Leak-Tec is packaged for immediate and convenient use.

In addition to a complete line of scientifically developed formulas, we fully support our products with a comprehensive quality control program, detailed certifications, and process specifications. Our large stock and record for on time delivery makes us easy to deal with and save you time.
Download Leak-Tec brochure

The Formulas

FORMULA# APPLICATION TEMPERATURE CI* SENSITIVITY  
16OX Gaseous Oxygen Systems (MIL-PRF-25567E) Type I +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
V 1x10-6cc/sec
72V Vacuum Leaks & High Pressure +35° to 170° F
(+2° to 77°C)
V 5x10-4cc/sec
162FC Food/Oxygen Compatible +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
V 1x10-5 cc/sec
161FC Food/Oxygen Compatible Low Temperatures -35° to 190° F
(-37° to 88°C)
V 1x10-4cc/sec
112 Chlorine Systems: water purification +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
VI 1x10-5cc/sec call
277 Polyethylene Pipes & rubber seals +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
IV 1x10-5cc/sec
277C Refinery & Natural Gas Systems +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
IV 1x10-5cc/sec
277NE Nuclear Applications; Dissimilar metal joints +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
I, II, V 1x10-6cc/sec call
372E General Purpose: Compressed air & stable gases +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
IV 1x10-5cc/sec
372G Air-conditioning/Refrigeration Systems; Fire Extinguishers -35° to 190° F
(-37° to 88°C)
IV 1x10-4cc/sec
372H Very low temperature testing -55° to 180° F
(-54° to 82°C)
IV 5x10-4cc/sec
OX-315 Liquid Oxygen Systems +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
IV, V 1x10-6cc/sec
OX-315III For Metal Corrosion Problems +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
III 1x10-5cc/sec  call
415 Very High Temperature Testing +200° to 410° F
(+93° to 210°C)
V 5x10-5 cc/sec
577V Fluorescent & Vacuum Testing +35° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
I, V 5x10-6cc/sec
FM1 Missile Fuel & Oxidizer Systems +32° to 160° F
(+2° to 71°C)
V 1x10-6cc/sec  call
OX65-C Gaseous Oxygen Systems (Low Temperature)  MIL-PRF-25567E -65° to 180° F
(-65° to 180°C)
V 1x10-5cc/sec

Corrosion Index (Because the mechanisms of corrosion are not always the same, Leak-Tec solutions have been formulated with different types of inhibitor systems. The following table defines the general guidelines for each index numeral:

I Inhibits stress corrosion cracking of stainless steels, magnesium and titanium alloys
II Inhibits electrolytic corrosion between dissimilar metals
III Inhibits surface corrosion on cast iron and mild steels. This system is poisonous and is not required for most steels. It may even cause slight corrosion on aluminum, copper and brass.
IV Inhibits normal corrosion on aluminum, copper, brass and on most metals.
V Meets the corrosion and faying edge requirements of MIL-L-25567
VI Inhibits corrosion on zinc, copper and brass. Is not corrosive to iron or steel and passivates aluminum.

Packaging Options
All Leak-Tec formulas except 72V are available in 4oz plastic squeeze bottles, gallons, and 55-gallon drums.  If you need a size larger than you can purchase on the internet, please call.

FORMULA#
AVAILABILITY
4oz
squeeze
bottle
8oz
squeeze
bottle
8oz
dauber
bottle
10oz
aerosol
can
1-gallon
jug
5-gallon
pail
55-gallon
drum
PACKING CODE: -01 -02 -03 -18 -05 -06 -07
16-OX * * * * * * *
162FC * *     * * *
161FC * *     * * *
72V       *      
112 *       * * *
277 *       * * *
277C *       * * *
277NE *       * * *
372E * * * * * * *
372G * * * * * * *
372H * * * * * * *
OX-315 *       * * *
OX-315III *       *   *
415 * * * * * * *
577V *   * * * * *
FM-1 *       * * *
OX-65-C

*

*   * * * *
72V-40

Available in 14oz aerosol can only

Most Leak-Tec formulas are available immediately from stock.

ANSI Approved Specification
ASTM E515 Standard Method of Testing for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques
Available from the American Society for Testing and Materials or
American Gas & Chemical Co. Ltd.

 

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