Introduction To Cyclic Pressure Testing

Cyclic Pressure Testing is a standard method used to evaluate the fatigue life of a product. It is a non-destructive test that can reveal leaks and measure the strength of components.

Cyclic pressure tests can be performed using a variety of equipment. They can be done pneumatically or hydraulically and are an excellent way to determine the durability of equipment under stress.

Basic Concepts

Cyclic pressure testing near me, called hydrostatic test, is used to evaluate the strength of hydraulic components, such as pumps, valves, motors, actuators, and hoses. The tests are conducted at elevated water pressures that exceed the normal operating conditions of the component.

The test consists of increasing the pressure in a test chamber at a rate not exceeding 100 psig per second. This must be accomplished within five minutes to avoid excessive stress on the product.

During this time, the unit will experience 100 thousand cycles of 0-to-150 psig with periodic observations for leakage made during this period. This is a difficult test for many products that would never see pressures as high as this in the real world.

This procedure is a critical test to determine the durability of on-site windows and doors before they are released into production. It is performed using a spray apparatus and cyclic static pressure to opposite sides of the units that are being tested.

Equipment

Cyclic pressure testing requires a range of equipment. This includes a testing chamber, which enables the product to be tested under various conditions, including static and dynamic loads.

Typical applications include determining the fatigue life of pipelines and seam weld defects. The test is also helpful in determining the life of CNG storage vessels and can be used to validate the quality of new pipe sections.

Our high-speed data acquisition system monitors strain gauges placed on the sample and other relevant parameters. It is controlled by a microprocessor and allows the testing of pipes, valves, tubing, and vessels to ASME standards.

The test chamber is designed to simultaneously apply cyclic pressure to one or more products. The shape of the stress curves can be set, and the number of test cycles can be programmable.

Test Procedures

Cyclic pressure testing involves applying and removing internal or external pressure on an individual component or a complete system. This process is typically performed to determine a component’scomponent’s maximum safe operating level (SOL) based on customer or industry requirements.

Hydrostatic testing is required for cylinders, spheres and tubes that intend to transport dangerous goods. This test applies a specified internal water pressure to a pressurized container and measures its total and permanent expansion.

This process can also re-qualify previously qualified products under the hydrostatic test procedure. A proof pressure test is another standard method of re-qualifying pressurized containers.

Results

Cyclic Pressure Testing aims to reveal the number of pressure cycles a component can withstand before it matures. This can give the designer confidence that they have designed the vessel correctly and will not break down under regular use.

It also gives the test a realistic feel by using specific torque values for all nuts and fittings and as closely recreating the mating features in pressure seals and joints as possible. This can reduce the risk of accidentally removing a real failure mode or adding one that isn’tisn’t there.