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The Right to Information, The Right to Live Step Out From the Old to the New

IS 8973 (1991): Glossary of terms relating to leak

detection techniques [MTD 21: Non-Destructive Testing]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B


BharthariNtiatakam
Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen
 IS 8973 :1991
(Reaffirmed 2000)

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Indian Stafidard
LEAK DETECTION TECHNIQUES-
GLOSSARY
(First Revision )

UDC 620-16529 : 0014

@ BIS 1991

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI llOOO2

October 199 1 Price Group 6

Non-Destructive Testing Sectional Committee, MTD 21

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft
finalized by the Non-Destructive Testing Sectional Committee had been approved by the Metallurgical
Engineering Division Council.
This standard was tirst published in 1978. While reviewing this, it has been decided to revise the
standard bringing it in line with present practices being followed.

Leak detection techniques are used for inspection of systems leaking to vacuum, systems leaking to
atmosphere, multiple and heremetrically sealed units in industries like - chemicals, petrochemicals,
fertilisers, transportation, electronics, nuclear, space. etc. It is essential to define terms used in various
le;lk testing techniques to remove ambiguity and confusion arising out of individual interpretation of
different terms The terms commonly used in the application of Icak detection techniques are covered
in this standard. Some useful factors in leak testing work; useful equations and leak rate conversion
factors have been given in Tables 1, 2 and 3 for guidance.
Annex A gives useful factors and equations for leak testing.
This standard is based on ASTM Designation: E 425-85 ( 1986 ) standard definition of terms relating
to leak testing, issued by ASTM and which has also been adopted by ASME-SE-425 ( 1986 ).
ASME-See V.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the
final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in
accordance with IS 2 : 1960 Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ). The number of
significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in
this standard.
 IS 8973 : 1991

Irzdian Stmdwd
LEAK DETECTION TECMNrQUES -
GLOSSARY
( First Revision )

1 SCOPE Atmosphere ( Standard )

1.1 This standard covers glossary relating to leak The pressure exerted by a mercury column 760 mm
detection techniques. in hei;:ht at 0 C under standard accclcration of
gravity; equivalent Lo I01 325 ( Pa. ).
2 TERMINOLOGY
Atmospheric Pressure
A The pressure of the atmosphere at a specified place
and time.
Absolute Manometer
Atomic Mass Unit ( amu )
A manometer whose calibration can be calculated
from the measurable physical constants of the The atomic mass unit is the unit of measure of the
instrument and which is the same for all ideal mass of particle ( atom, molecule, ion. etc ). The
gases. numerical va!ue of the mass of a particle in amus
is identical with the older atomic weight and is
Absolute Pressure defined as l/12 of the mass of a carbon 12.
Prcssurc above the absolute zero corresponding to Audible Leak Indicator
empty space, that is, local atmospheric pressure
plus gauge pressure. In vacuum technology, An accessory to a leak detector which converts
pressure alway:, corresponds to absolute pressure the output signal to an audible note whose
not gauge pressure. frequency is a function of the leakage rate.

Absorption B
The binding or incorporation of gas in the Background Signal
interior of a solid or liquid.
The steady or fluctuating output signal of the leak
Accumulation Test detector caused by the presence of residual tracer
A leak test u;ed to detect very small leaks in gas or other substance to which the detcctnlg
element responds.
which gas contained in a component being tested
will, if a leak is present collect for a specified
Backing Pump
period of time in a closed evacuated chamber into
which the component has been placed. At the Same as forepump.
end of the test period the chamber is opened to a
leak dctcctor which is sensitive to the gas. Backing Space

Alkali Ion Diode The space between a backing pump ( forcpump )

and the associated dinuslon pump ( or other
A sensor having halogen gases ( see also Halogen type of pump requiring a forepump ). ( see also
leak dctcctor ). ballast. )

Aperture Leak Backing Space Technique

A Icak of such geometric conliguration that the A mcthoci of testing for leaks in L+IIICIIthe leak
length of the Jcakagc path is much smaller than detector is cvnnecled to the bacl~illg sl-;icc lo tz,l\c
the sh~rtcs~ diameter of the path, so that the leak advantage 01 the compression 01 gas that occurs
may bc considered the equivalent of an opening in between the VXUUI~ system and the b,icking
an inlinitely thin wall. pump, due to the action of the dilfuslon pump
IS 8973 : 1991

( or other type of pump of high speed relative to Concentration

its backing pump ).
Back Pressure
See Forepressure.
Back Pressure Test
See Pressure evacuation
The parts of volume of one gas in a mixture of
two or more gases, related to total volume. For
example, 1 ppm ( part per million ) of Gas A is
1 volume of Gas A mixed with 999999 volumes
of another gas or other gases.
test. Concentration Ratio

Back Pressurizing Testing The ratio of the number of atoms ( molecules )

A method of testing sealed units in which the
units arc culjected to a tracer gas pressure for a
period, the tracer gas is flushed from outside and
the tracer gas leakage from the unit is measured.
Also called ( helium ) bomb and pressure-
evacuation testing.
of a given constituent of a ( gas ) mixture to the
total number of atoms ( molecules ) in the mixture.
For ideal gases the concentration ratio has the
same value as the volume fraction or the partial
pressure of the constituent.
Conductance

Bake Out The ratio of the through put ( under steady state,
conservative conditions ) of a gas flowing through
The degressing of a vacuum system for heating a conduit or an orifice to the difference in the
during pumping process. partial pressures of the gas at the two ends of the
Ballast conduit or on the two sides of the orifice,
expressed in volume units per unit time, such as
A backing space large enough to maintain a IOW cubic metres per second.
forepressure when the forepump is temporarily
stopped. Cracking

Bayard-Alpert Ionization Gauge See Dissociation.

See ionization vacuum gauge. D

Bell Jar Differential Leak Detector
A container open at one end ( usually the A leak detector employing two similar gauge
bottom ) which is used as a vacuum chamber or tubes in a bridge circuit with a trap which is
test vessel. selective for the tracer gas between the system and
Bell Jar Testing one of the tubes.

A test used for detecting leakage from an object
completely or partially filled with a tracer gas
and placed in a vacuum chamber or bell jar.
Bomb Test
See Pressure evacuation test.
Bubble Test
A form of leak test of gas containing enclosures
in which a leak is indicated by the formation of
bubble at the site of a leak.
Differential Pirani Gauge
A leak detecting device employing two similar
pirani tubes as arms of a wheatstone bridge, both
tubes being connected to the system under test.
A cold trap is placed between one tube and the
system. Condensable tracer gas entering the
system reaches one tube but not the other, produ-
cing a differential effect on the tubes, thus
unbalancing the bridge and indicating leakage.
Diffusion

C 4 The flow of gas through a substance in

which the gas actually migrates through the
Clean-Up, Clean-Up Time crystal lattice of the substance rather than
through a geometrical leak ( hole dimension
The time required for a leak testing system reduce versus molecular diameters ).
its signal output to 37 percent of the peak or
maximum signal indicated at the time the tracer b) The process by which molecules intermingle
gas ceases to enter the leak system. as a iesult of iheir thermal reaction.
Cold Gathode Ionization Gauge Discharge Pressure
See Ionization vacuum gauge. See Forepressure.

2
 IS 8973 : 1991

Discharge Tube Leak Indicator F

A glass tube with electrodes attached to a source Flooded System

of high-frequency high voltage, such as a Tesla
coil, so that changes in the colour of the electrical A system which, while being tested becomes so
discharge may be observed when a suitable tracer filled with tracer gas as to make impracticable
gas ( methane, carbon dioxide, alcohol ) flow further Ieak testing.
through the leak.
Flow Rate
Dissociation a) The rate at which gas pas%es a given cross
section of a system, determined by the
The breakdown of a substance into two or more product of the volume passing per unit time
constituents. The dissociation is sometimes
and its ( partial ) pressure at the cross
referred to as cracking.
section.
Drift b) A product of the ( partial ) prcssurc
difference of a gas at the ends of a conduit
The rclntively slow change in the background or across the face of an orifice, and the
output level of the leak detector due to the conductance of the gas for the conduit 01
electronics rather than a change in the level of the orifice. Expres:cd in pressure-volume per
tracer gas. unit time, such as pascal cubic meters per
second.
Dynamic Leakage Measurement
Foreline
Leakage measured by measuring the tracer gas
equilibrium partial pressure while the system is The line between a fore pump and the pump it
actively being pumped. backs.

Dynamic Leak Test Foreline Valve

A form of leak test in which some of the tracer A vacuum valve placed in the foreline to permit
gas entering through a leak is continually removed isolation of the diffusion pump from its backing
for sensing purposes. pump.
Dynamic Sensitivity of Leak Detector Forepressure
The minimum leakage rate that the detector is The total pressure on the outlet side of a pump
capable of detecting while the enclosure under measured near the outlet port. Sometimes called
test is actively being evacuated continuously under the back pressure or backing pressure. Also
speciEed conditions. known as outlet pressure, exhaust pressure, or
discharge pressure. In discnssing the action of a
E vapour jet, the term forepressure may be used to
designate the total pressure of the gas against
Electrometer Tube which the jet impinges.

A special electronic tube, with very high grid-to- Forepump

cathode resistance suitable for use with input grid
The pump which produces the necessary fore-
resistors of very high ohmic value.
vacuum for a pump which is incapable of
discharging gases at atmospheric pressure. Some-
Equivalent Nitrogen Pressure
times called the backing pump.
The pressure that a gauge or another device would
indicate if the gas in the device were replaced by 6
nitrogen at the same molecular density, that is,
the same number of molecules per unit volume. Gas
Exhaust Tubulation The state of matter in which molecules UC
practically unrestricted by intcrrnolccal~ir fi~rcl~,
See Pump-out tubulation. so that the molcculcs arc fret to occupy alI sp;icc
within ;~ii cnclu~u~c. In v;IcLILlIll lccilnol~~gy, lirc:
Exhaust l~sessure
word gas has been lo~scly applieci to the UIICOII-
See Forepressure. densed gas and vapour within a vacuums syhtcm.

3
IS 8973 : 1991

Gauge Pressure changing helium concentrations ( either due

to a leak or outgassing ) in the detector
A term used to indicate the difference between the tube. Expressed in scale divisions per unit
absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure. This time.
is the pressure indicated by a pressure gauge when
attached to a pressurised system. Helium Leak Detector

H A leak detector using helium as the tracer gas.

Halogen Hermetrically Tight Seal

The family of the elements fluorine, chlorine, A seal which does not exhibit leakage when
bromine, and iodine or their compounds. Of dynamically tested with commercially built leak
significance in halogen leak detection are those detectors that are sensitive to a gas on the
which have enough vapour pressure to be useful pressure side opposite to the side on which tile
as tracer gases. Compounds do not fall under the leak detector is located or which does not exhibit
strict definition of halogen. However, for the leakage with any form of liquid test.
purpose of this standard, this word provides a
convenient descriptive term for halogen-containing High Vacuum
compounds. See Table 1.
Halogen Leak Detector
Holding Pump
A leak detector that responds to halogen tracer
gases. Also called a halogen-sensitive leak The force pump used to hold a vapour pump at
detector or a halide leak detector : (a) The copper- operating conditions while a roughing pump
flame detector or halide torch consists of a reduces the system pressure to a point at which
Burnsen burner with flame impinging on a copper the valve between the vapour pump and the system
plate or screen and a host with sampling probe to can be opened without stopping the flow of vapour
carry tracer gas to the air in take of the burner. from the nozzles.
(b) The alkali ion diode halogen detector depends
on the variation of positive ion emission from a Hood Test
heated platinum anode when halogen molecules
An overall test in which an object under vacuum
enter the sensing element.
test is enclosed by a hood which is filled with
Hang Up tracer gas so as to subject all parts of the test
object to examination at one time. A form of
A virtual leak caused by the slow release of dynamic leak test in which the entire enclosure or
absorbed or entrapped tracer gas in a leak detector a large portion of its external surface is exposed
vacuum system ( see Virtual leak ). to the tracer gas while the interior is connected
to a leak detector with the objective of determining
Helium Bombing the existence of leakage ( see also Vacuum
testing ).
A method of testing for leaks in which her3etri-
tally sealed units containing an internal volume Hot Cathode Ionization Gauge
are subjected to a helium pressure prior to being
bell jar tested. If leaks are present in the sealed ee Ionization vacuum gauge.
unit. the helium pressure will drive some helium
into the internal volume and this may be subse- Hot-Filament lonization Gauge
quently detected during bell jar testing. See Ionization vacuum gauge.
Helium Drift Hydraulic Pressure Test
a) In leak testing with a probe, the drift from See Hydrostatic test
a leak or permeable gasket indicated at
some distance from the end of the probe but Hydrostatic Test
which is detected by the probe and can
misle:~d the operator into suspecting the A pressure test in which the CulH~OllCJlt bc~i~g

area near the probe. tested is filled completely with water or anothc~
liquid. Pressure, if required, is then applic~! LU
b) A gradual wandering of the output metre the liquid for rhe required time and the OLI~SI&
needle of the leak detector due to slowly of the component is examined visually for leaks.

4
 IS 8973 : 1991

I producing the ionization. The common types are

as follows:
Ideal Gas
a) Hot Cathode Ionization Gauze ., - The ions
A gas that obeys Boyles law, Charles law and has are produced by collisions with electrons
zero heat of free expansion. Also known as a emitted from a hot filament ( or cathode )
perfect gas. and accelerated by an electric field. Also
called hot-filament ionization gauge, or
In Leakage Rate simply ion gauge. The Bayarcl-Alpcrt
ionization gauge employs a tube with an
The combined leak rate from all existing leaks in electrode structure designed to minimize
a specified evacuated vessel in pressure volume X-ray induced electron emission from the
units per unit of time. ion collector.
Inlet b) Cold-Cathode ionization Gauge -- The ions
are produced by a coldcathodc discharge,
The opening, flange, connection or coupling on a usually in the presence of a magnetic field
leak detector or leak testing system through which lengthens the path of the electrons
which the tracer gas may enter due to a leak in an between cathode and anode. The discharge
object under test. tube is a transparent tube in which the
colour and form of a cold-cathode dischage
Inlet Flange ( without presence of a magnetic field )
See Inlet. gives an indication of the pressure and the
nature of the gas. The phillips ionization
Inlet Port gauge is a cold-cathode ionization gauge in
which a magnetic field is directly parallel
See Inlet.
to the axis of an annular electrode ( nor-
Inside Out Method mally the anode ) located between two
plate electrodes perpendicular to the axis
See Pressure evacuation testing. Various modifications of the Penning gauge
are named after the inventors, and certain
Inside Out Testing
types are referred to as magnetron vacuum
See Bell jar testing. gauges.

Ion Pump cl Radioactive Ionization Gauge -. The ions are

produced by radiations ( usually alpha
An electrical device for pumping gas comprising particles) emitted from a radioactive source
a means for ionizing the gas and a system of
electrodes at suitable potentials in some cases Isolation Test
also a magnetic field, which causes the ions formed
A method of determining whether a leak is
to move towards a surface on which they are
present in a system or of obtaining an estim:rte
absorbed or buried.
of its magnitude by observing the rate of rise of
Ion Source pressure in the evacuated system when the system
is isolated from the pump. Also called rate of
That part of a leak detector tube in which tracer pressure rise test.
gas is ionized preliminary to being detected.
K
Ionization Potential
Krypton 85
The minimum energy, expressed in ( electron )
volts, required to remove an electron from an A tracer gas used to test for Icakagc when the
atom or molecule to form a positive ion. radioisotope leak test method is used.
Ionization Vacuum Gauge
Knudsen Flow
A vacuum gauge comprising a means of ionizing
the gas molecules, electrodes to facilitate the The how of gases through ducts and tubes undci
collection 01 the positive ions formed, and means condition intermediate between l:imiil:ir- VISC~,LIS
of indicating the magnitude of the collected ion flow. Also called transition flon. Knt~dscnx CC~LKI-
current. Various types of ionization gauge are tion of now applies to the intcrnicdiatc range III
distinguished according to the method of the case of pipes with cncular cross section.

5
1s 8973 : 1991

L ions. The principal types are as follows :

Leak 4 Dempster ( MS ) - The ions are iirst

accelerated by an electric field through a
A hole, or void in the wall of an enclosure, slit, and are then deflected by a magnetic
capable of passing liquid or gas from one side of field through 180 so as to pass through a
the wall to the other under action of a pressure or second slit.
concentration differential existing across the wall,
independent of the quantity of fluid flowing. b) Bainbridge Fordurz ( MS ) - The ions arc
separated by mcaus of a radial elcctrostntlc
Leak Detector field and a magnetic Geld deflecting the ions
through 60 so arranged that the dispersion
A device for detecting, locating or measuring or of ions in the electric iicld is exactly
combination thereof, leakage. compensated by the dispersion in the
magnetic field for a given velocity JilTcrcnce.
Leakage Rate Bleakney 1 MS ) - llic ions arc separated
The flow rate of a liquid or gas through a leak at a by crossed electric and magnetic fields. Also
given temperature as a result of a specified pressure called cross fields mass spectrometer.
di&rcncc across the leak. Standard conditions for Nier ( MS ) - A modilication of the
gases are 25C and 100 KPa. Leakage rates arc Dempster Mass Spectronictcr in which the
expressed in various units such as Pascal cubic magnetic field deflects the ions.
meters per second or Pascal litres per second or
standard cubic centimetre per second ( see e) Time of Flight ( MS ) - The gas is ionized
Table 2 ). by a pulsemodulated electron bcarn and each
group of ions is accelerated toward the ion
Lusec collector. Ions of different mass/charge ratio
traverse their paths in different times.
A unit of flow rate equal to 0133 MPa.ms/s.
f) Radio Frequency ( MS ) -- The ions are
Low Vacuum-See Table I. accelerated into radio frequency analyzer in
which ions of a selected mass/charge are
accelerated through openings in a series of
M
spaced plates alternately attached across a
radio frequency oscillator. The ions emerge
Masking into a electrostatic field which permits only
the ions accelerated in the analyzer to leach
The covering of a section of a test object so as to
prevent tracer gas from entering leaks that may the collector.
exist in the covered section or from escaping from g) Omegatron ( MS ) - The ions arc accelc-
leak region. rated by cyclotron principle.
Mass Number Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector
The whole number nearest to the atomic mass A mass spectrometer adjusted to respond only to
expressed in either atomic mass units or as a particular tracer gas. Helium is commonly used
( chemical ) atomic mass. as tracer gas, and thus the instrument is normally
referred to as a helium leak detector.
Mass to Charge Ratio
Mass Spectrum
The ratio of the mass to the number of electrons
expressed as m/e of the ion. A record, graph, table, etc, that shows the rclativc
number of ions of various masses that are produced
Mass Spectrometer ( MS ) (g) when a given substance is processed III ;I nubs
spectrometer.
Omegatron ( MS ) The ions are accelerated by
the cyclotron principle. Gauge that relates an Mean Free Path
output which is proportional to the partial
pressure of a specified gas: as a leak detector The average distance that a molecule travc~s
sensitive to a particular tracer gas or as an analy- between successive collisions uith other molecules.
tical instrument to determine the percentage Medium Vacuum
composition of a gas mixture. Various types are
distinguished by the method of separating the See Table I.

6
 IS 8973 : 1991

Micrometre N

A unit of length equal to one millionth of a metre. Newton

Micron The SI unit of force ( kg.m/s ).
A term for micrometre.
Non Condensable Gas
Micron Cubic Foot per Hour
A gas whose temperature is above its critical tem-
A mass rate of gas flow such that one micron cubic perature so that it cannot be liquefied by increase
foot passes a given point in an hour. Alternatively, of pressure alone.
a mass rate of gas flow such that the pressure rise
caused by the flow in a lft volume is 1 mircon in 0
1 hour.
Occlusion
Micron of Mercury
The trapping of undissolved gas in a solid during
A unit of pressure equal to that exerted by a solidification.
column of mercury standing one micrometre high.
Outgassing
Microtorr
The evolution of gas from a material in vacuum.
A proposed new unit of pressure equal of 10sR
torr. Outlet Pressure
Millimetre of Mercury
See forepressure
A unit of pressure corresponding to a column of
mercury exactly 1 mm high under standard accele- P
ration of gravity. Sometimes called torr.
Palladium Barrier Leak Detector
Millimicron of Mercury
A leak detector using hydrogen as the tracer gas
A unit of pressure equal to low6 mm ( 1 mm ) of
and using the principle of hydrogen diffusing
mercury.
rapidly through a hot palladium barrier into an
NOTE - Miltittlicron - This terminology is no evacuated vacuum gauge.
lol;&er acccptcd in the S.I. The millimicron has been
replactxi by the nanometer ( mm ). Partial Pressure
Millitorr The pressure caused by a gas, either by itself, or
in the presence of other gases. When a second
A proposed new unit of pressure equal to IO-
gas is not present, the partial pressure is the same
torr.
as the total pressure ( see Table 3 ).
Minimum Detectable Leakage Rate
Pascal (Pa)
The magnitude of the smallest leakage rate that
can be unambiguously detected by a given leak The preferred unit of pressure in the SI system,
detector in the presence of conditions existing at defined as one newton per square meter. One
the time of test. This is commonly known as Pascal is approx, equal to 1 X 1O5 atm or more
sensitivity. precisely I Pa m/s-9869 2 atm. cm/s or
I Pa==0986 92 x 10d3 atm.
Molecular Flow
The flow of gas through a passage under condi- Pascal Cubic Metres per Second (Pa.m/s>
tions such that the mean free path is greater than The preferred unit of gas flow in the Sl system.
the largest dimension of a transverse section of the One Pa.m/s is approximately equal to 16 atm
passage. cm/s or, more precisely, 1 Pa.m/s==9.869 2 ntm.
Molecular Leak cm/s.

A leak of such geometric configuration that gas Penning Gauge

flow through it obeys the law of molecular flow
See Ionization vacuum gauge.
( Knudsens law ). The flow is proportional to
the dilrcrzncc of the end pressures and inversely, Perfect Gas
proportional to the square root of the molecular
weight of the gas. See Ideal Gas.

7
IS 8973 1991

Permeability Coefficient Probe

The steady-state rate of flow of gas through unit A tube having a fine opening at one end, used for
area and thickness of a solid barrier oer unit pre- directing or collecting a steam of tracer gas.
ssure differential at a given temperatuie.
Probe Gas
Phillips Ionizalion Gauge
A tracer gas which issues from a fine orifice so as
See Ionization vacuum gauge. to impinge on a restricted test arca.

Proportioning Probe
Pirani Gauge
A probe that can vary, sample pure air ratios,
See Thermal conductivity vacuum gauge. between 100 percent sample and 100 percent pure
air without substantially changing the total flow
Poiseuille Flow rate from the probe.
The particular case of laminar viSC0US Bow
through a long pipe of circular cross section. Probe Test
A leak test in which the tracer gas is applied by
Pressure Difference means of a probe so that the arca covered by the
The difference between the pressure on the inlet tracer gas is localized. This enables the individual
side of the leak and the pressure on the exit side leaks to be located.
of the leak.
Pump Down Time
Pressure Dye Test Time of evacuation.

4 A form of leak test in which the systems Pump-out Tubufation

are filled with liquid dye, fluorescent oil
which is then pressurized for the purpose A tube extending from an evacuated device
of driving liquid through possible leakage through which gas is pumped and which is usually
paths and so make its presence visible permanently sealed off after the device has been
when the excess liquid has been removed evacuated. Sometimes called exhaust tubulation.
from the exterior.
R
b) A leak test in which the systems are
immersed in a liquid dye or fluorescent oil
Radioisotope Leak Test System
and then pressurised for the purpose of
driving liquid through possible leakage A leak test system which uses a radioactive tracer
paths and so make its presence visible when for measuring the emission
gas and a detector
the excess liquid has been removed from the
from the tracer.
exterior.
Rate of Rise
Pressure Evacuation Test
The time rate of pressure increase at a given time
A leak test in which one or more devices are in a vacuum system which is suddenly isolated
placed under gas pressure for a period of time, from the pump by a valve. The volume and
the objective being to accumulate enough gas in temperature of the system are held constant
those devices that may leak to permit an indication during the rate of rise measurement. ( See Isolation
on a leak detector sensitive to the gas when the Test. )
devices are placed in an evacuated system jointed
to the leak detector. It is also known as Inside Real Leak
Out Method or Back Pressuring Testing or Bomb
Test. It is a crack, crevice, fissure, hole or passage waq
in the wall of an enclosure, capable of passing air,
Pressure Testing or other gases, from one side of the wall to the
A method of leak testing in which the component other under an action of a prcssurc or COIICCII-
being tested is filled completely with a gas or tration diflerential existing acr05s the wall.
liquid which is then pressurized. The outside of
the component is examined for the detection of Resistance ( to Flow ) - The reciprocal of
any leaks. conductance.

8
 IS 8973 : 1991

Response Factor Sensitivity of Leak Test

The response of the halogen leak detector 03 The smallest leakage rate that an instrument,
MPa m/s of refgrigerant- 12 (dichloroditluorome- method or system is capabie of detecting under
thane, CC 12 F 2 ) or less, divided by the response specified conditions ( see minimum detectable
to the same quantity of another halogen test gas. leakage rate ).
Thus, the actual leakage rate of a detected leak
will be the indication of the detector multiplied by Sniffing Method
the response factor. The response of mixture of
a tracer and nonhalogen gases will be the response See Pressure testing.
factor of the tracer divided by the fraction of
tracer gas in the test gas. Sniffing Probe
See Sampling probe.
Response Time
The time required for a leak detector or leak test- Soap Bubble Test
ing system to yield a signal output equal to 63
percent of the maximum signal attained when A type of leak testing in which the tracer gas
tr,tccr gas applied continuously to the system leakage is detected by bubbles formed in a layer
untter test. Also called response. of soap solution applied to the surface of the test
object.
Reverse Probe
Sorption
See Sampling probe or probe.
The taking up of gas by absorption, adsorption,
Roughing chemisorption or any combination of these
processes.
The initial evacuation of a vacuum system.
Roughing Line Spark Coil Leak Detector
A line running from a mechanical pump to a A high frequency discharge coil of the Tesla type
vacuum chamber through which preliminary which indicates pin holes in glass vacuum systems
pumping is conducted in the rough vacuum range. by a spark jumping between the core of the coil
and the pin hole.
Roughing Pump
A vacuum pump used for the initial evacuation of Spectrometer Tube
a vacuum system.
The sensing element of a mass spectrometer leak
detector.
S

Sampling Probe Spray Probe

A device used in pressure testing and so designed A device for directing a small jet of tracer gas on
as to collect tracer gas from an area of the test an object under vacuum testing.
object and feed it to the leak detector at the
reduced pressure required. Also called a Sniffer Squealer
or Sniffing probe. See Audible leak indicator.
Scattering
Standard Leak
Dispersion or diffusion in various directions due
to intermolecular or ionic collisions as applied to A device that permits a tracer gas to be intro-
the effect of the residual gas in a mass spectro- duced into a leak detector or leak testing system
meter tube or an ion beam traversing the tube. at a known rate to facilitate calibration of the
leak detector.
Search Gas
Standard Leakage Rate
See Tracer gas.
The rate of flow of atmospheric air under condi-
Senbitivity
tmns 111 which inlet pressure IS 01 MI% rF_ j
In the case of a leak detector, the response of the percent; outlet pressure is less than 1 kla,
detector to tracer gas leakage ( that is, scale, temperature is 25-C f 5 and dew point is less
divisrons per unit of leakage rate ). than -25 c.

9
 IS 8973 : 1991

T Tracer Probe Leak Location

Thermal Conductivity Vacuum Gauge See Probe test.

A vacuum gauge containing two surface at Transition Flow

different temperatures between which heat may be The flow of gases under conditions intermediate
transported by the gas molecules so that change between laminary viscous flow and molecular
in the temperature ( or in the heating power flow.
required to maintain constant temperature ) of
one of the surfaces may be correlated with the
gas pressure by calibration against a master gauge. u
Various types of thermal conductivity gauge are
distinguished according to the method of indi- Ultimate Pressure
cating the temperature change. The common The limiting pressure approached in the V~CLILIIII
types arc as follows: system after sufficient pumping time to establish
a) Pirani Gawe - An increase of vresswe that further reductions in pressure shall be
from the zero point causes a decrease in the negligible.
temperature of a heated filament of material
Ultra-High Vucuum
having a large lemperature coeficient of
resistance thus unbalancing a wheatstone See Table 1.
bridge circuit ( or the circuit is adjusted
to maintain the filament temperature Ultrasonic Leak Detector
constant ).
An instrument that detects ultrasonic energy
b) Thermocouple Gauge - The decrease in produced by molecular turbulence that occurs in
temperature of a heated filament as the the transition from the laminar to turbulent flow
pressure rises is indicated by decreased emf of a gas through an orifice and that converts this
in a thermocouple circuit having the energy to the audible range.
junction in thermal contact with the centre
of the heated filament.
V
c) Them&or Gauge - A form of Pirani
gauge employing a thermistor as the heating
Vacuum
element.
Strip Gauge - Deflection of a In vacuum technology a given space filled wilh
d) Bimetallic gas at pressures below atmospheric pressure ( see
bimetallic strip with changing temperature
indicates the changes in pressure. Table 1 1.

Vacuum Testing
Throttling
Reducing the net pumping speed of a pumping A leak-testing method in which the enclosure/
system by partially closing a valve or installing object under examination is evacuated, the tracer
a section of pipeline with low conductance. gas applied to the outside surface of the
enclosure/object and the gas detected after
Throughout entering it ( see also Hood test ).
See Flow rate.
Vapour Pressure
Tight
The pressure txerted by the vapour of a solid or
Free from leaks according to a given specification. liquid when in equilibrium with the solid or
liquid.
Torr
A unit of pressure equal to 1/760th of an atmos- Very High Vacuum
phere, cqui\alent to 133322 Pa. See Table 1,
Tracer Gas
Virtual Leak
A gas which, passing through a leak, can than
be detected by a specific leak detector and thus a) The semblance of a leak in a UCULIII:
disclose the presence of a leak. Also called search system caused by slow release of trapped
gas. gas.

10
 IS 8973 : 1991

b) During a-rate-of rise test, the semblance of Table 2 Conversion Factors for Leak Testing
a leak in vacuum system caused by a slow To Convert From To Multiply Column I
release of sorbed or occulded gas or gases by
on or in the surface and pores of all (2)
(1) (3)
materials in a system which has been Leukage Rare
exposed to atmospheric pressure prior to atm, cmajs Pa. m3/s 101 x lo-
evacuation. micron, litre/s Pa. ma/s 1.33x IO-4
micron, ft3/h Pa. m3/s 1.05 x IO-
Viscous Flow Pascal, iitres/s Pa. m3/s 1.00x 10-s
STD. cn?/s Pa. rnrjs 101 Y IO-1
The flow of gas through a duct under conditions torr, litres/s Pa, m3/s 133 x IO-1
such that the mean free path is very small in Pressure
comparison with the smallest dimensions of a atmosphere ( std ) P,l 1.01 x IO*
transverse section of the duct. The flow may be bar Pa 1.00x 106
either laminar or turbulent. micrometer of Hg Pa 133 x lo-
micron Pa 1.33 x 10-1
Viscous Leak millimeter of Hg Pa 1-33x IO*
pounds-force/in2 Pa 689x 103
A leak of such geometric configuration that gas torr Pa 1.33x 102
flow through it is VICOUS in nature that is the k iscosity
flow obeys Poiseuilles law. The flow rate is centipoise Pa. s 1.00x IO--3
proportional to the difference of the squares of the Poise Pa. s 1.00x IO-
end pressures and inversely proportional to the Volume
gaseous viscosity. 3 ma 1~ooxlo-~
;ty m8 2.83x10-2
litre ma 1.00x 10-S
NOTE - In SI units quantity of gas is measured in
units of Pascal cubic meters ( Pa.m3 ). The leakage
rate is measured in Pascal cubic meter per second
( Pa. m3/s ). For approximate conversion, 1 Pa. m/s
-10 std cc/s.
Table 1 Degrees of Vacuum
Table 3 Composition and Partial Pressures of
Degrees of Pressure Range Pressure Range Dry Air at Sea Level ( 101325 kPa )
Vacuum Pa Torr
Constitutent Content Partial Pressure
r---h--.-~ ___h____~~
(1) (2) (3)
% ppm torr Pa ( a )
Low 100 kPa to 3 kPa 760 to 25 Nitrogen 18084 493.43 79 119
Medium Above Above Oxygen 20946 159.19 21 224
3 kPa to 01 Pa 25 to 1x10-* C:\rbon dioxide 0033 0.25 334
High Above Above Argon 0.934 7.10 946
0.1 Pa to 0.1 mPa I x10-8 to 1 x10-s Neon 00018 18.18 138 x IO-2 184
Above Above Helium 0~0005 5.24 3-98 x IO-3 0.53
Very high
0.1 mPa to 0.1 @a 1 x IO-6 to 1 x 10-o Krypton 114 8.66 x IO-4 0116
Xenon 0087 6.61 Y IO-6 O~IIOX8
Ultra high Above Above
01 PPa and less 1 x10-9 and less Hydrngen 05 3.80x IO--4 0.05
Methane 20 1.52x10-3 020
NOTE - In SI unils pressure is measured in pascals. Nitrous oxide 0.5 380 x IO- 0.05
1 p;!scal : 1 N/m!. ( NzO )
( a ) Note the similarity of these numbers with rho
1 atmosphere = 101.3 kla. percentages. When less accuracy can bc toletatcd
1 Newton = 1 kg. m/s. use percentage x 1 000.

II
 IS 8973 : 1991

ANNEX A

USEFUL FACTORS, KQUATIONS FOR LEAK TESTING

A-l Useful factors in leak testing work are viii) Total parallel conductance : ( Cl- )
given below:
CT = C,-1 C,+C, . . . . . . fC,
1 atmosphere (atm) = 760 millimetres of mercury
(mmHg) ix) Total series conductance:
76 x 10 microns. ( liCr ) = l/C, l-l/Ci~I-J/C,, . . . . t-i/C,,
101325 kPa. x) When viscous conductance is known for one
1 micron 1 x lObe metres of gas C,. for any other gas C,:
mercury ( mHg ) c, = (ng/n, ) c,
1 x 10SR mm Hg xi) When molecular flow JYILCis known for OIIC
1333 2X JO- Pascal gas Q,, for any other gas Q-:
1 torr l/760 of a standard Q- -- ( MI/M.! ) I Q
atmosphere
= 13332 Pa xii) When molecuJ:;.r conductance is known for
one gas C,, for any other gas C,:
1 cubic metre z JO cm
1 litre --._ lxlO-:lm: C, = ( M,/M, ) 2 I
Seconds in I year = 31,536,OOO s/year xiii) When molecular conductance is known for
= 315 X 10 secjyear one gas C, at temperature T,, for any other
Percentage of helium in air = 0000 5 percent gas C, at temperature T, is
= Sppm C, = (T,/T,) liaCL
A-2 Useful equations in Leak Testing are given xiv) Mean free path of air at ambient temperature
below: ;- (68 x 10-/P ) mctres

i) Mean Free Path in metres ( mfp ) : c= Gas conductance, cubic metres/sec

hmfp = 1164 ( n/P ) ( T/M )1L R= Specific gas constant, Joules/mole per kelvin
ii) Viscous flow: x _;; Mean free path, metres
Q = ( v r/16nl ) ( PI-P2 ) n = Gas viscosity, Pascal seconds
iii) When viscous flow is known for one gas p= Absolute pressure, Paszals
QJ, for any other gas Q2:
T zz Absolute temperature, degrees kelvin
Q2 n2=Ql nl
M =z Molecular weight of gas, gms/mole
iv) Conductance for viscous flow:
Q- Gas flow rate, Pa. cubic mctres/sec
C = ( nr/rlnJ ) Pavg
r z Radius of leakage tube, metres
v) Molecular flow:
1zz.c length of leakage tube, metrer
Q - 3048( r-/l ) ( T/M ) I ( PI-P2 )
pi ;I Upstream gas pressure, J%scals
vi) Conductance for tube with molecular flow:
P2 = Down stream gas pressure Pascals
C = 3342 ( r/l ) ( RT/M )I/
vii) Conductance for orifice with molecular ravg= Average pressure withln leak path,
flow: PI-/-Pr, Pascals
C = 3 613 ( r ) ( T/M )I/ 2

12
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