Semiconductor industry sales are at an all-time high. In Q2 2024 alone, sales reached $149.9 billion, an 18.3% increase compared to the second quarter of 2023. These gains indicate that the demand for IoT devices is surging market growth as manufacturers continue to create new products. As more and more of these devices are built, including smart refrigerators, fitness trackers, and self-driving vehicles, environmental testing will continue to be imperative.
A Race for New and Improved Semiconductors
At Associated Environmental Systems (AES), we know just how critical it is for semiconductor manufacturers to test their products. Just recently, the Biden administration announced the process for the CHIPS for America. This investment is intended to push for the creation of more semiconductor ecosystems in the U.S. to help accelerate semiconductor R&D and commercialization. If completed, CHIPS for America will help the U.S. lead domestic semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and research.
How Does Environmental Testing Work?
Apart from governmental pressures, the semiconductor industry and its products encounter a wide range of obstacles. To begin with, these products are often placed in extreme and harsh conditions. While it’s beneficial to the customer to use the product in a variety of temperatures, this means that the product must be able to function properly regardless of the stresses. Environmental testing can help.
Test chambers can ensure the quality of a semiconductor. Their ability to simulate environmental conditions provides the reliability and safety of a given product. Additionally, testing can protect manufacturers from financial losses that can easily occur if a problem isn’t identified early on. Large defects can lead to revenue loss and slow down the project, hurting both customers and manufacturers.
Rigorous testing is also important to maintain compliance with industry standards. For example, military and navy applications must follow the standard MIL-STD-750D, including moisture resistance tests, high temperatures, and salt spray. Without environmental chambers, manufacturers cannot meet specifications. Proper testing keeps companies moving forward when needed most.
What are the Common Testing Chambers for Semiconductors?
Manufacturers typically look for environmental chambers that can accomplish specific forms of testing.
Temperature Chamber
Looking to understand how your product performs in extreme heat or cold? An environmental temperature chamber, also known as a thermal test chamber, can do the job. AES creates a variety of temperature chambers for testing, from small benchtop temperature chamber models to large walk-in or drive-in rooms. Their internal workspaces are built to be long-lasting, lined with type 304 stainless steel for a vapor-tight internal construction, and their exteriors feature a durable, powder-coat finish over heavy-gauge steel.
Temperature and Humidity Chamber
Understanding the amount of humidity your product can withstand is important. With a temperature and humidity chamber, manufacturers have access to a water source with accurate readings (±0.5°C on temperature and +/-2% RH) and the capability to reach temperature extremes. Additionally, AES uses vapor generator systems to enable manufacturers to have precise control over the chamber's humidity range. These chambers range from small benchtop models to walk-in options.
Thermal Shock Testing
Electronic products are exposed to rapid swings in climate. Thermal shock test chambers available in floor models simulate these changes, such as a jolt a smartphone battery may experience moving between two temperatures. To complete these tests, thermal shock chambers contain two zones, one for heat, one for cold, and an optional third zone for ambient temperature.
Laboratory Ovens
Gain accurate and temperature control uniform with a laboratory oven workspace. These liquid-cooled ovens can bring temperatures down to -73°C and up to 220°C with their circulation capabilities. They are ideal for baking, sterilizing, drying, and more. AES offers two varieties of laboratory ovens: liquid-cooled ovens that provide rapid cooling with liquid nitrogen (LN2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) and ovens in the BD series that provide stable, controlled, forced hot air circulation for specified temperature conditions.
Choose the Best Chamber for Your Needs
So, what are your testing goals? Browse our variety of environmental test chambers and find the ideal chamber that will help bring your next product to market. Semiconductors are powering the future—we’ll partner with you to bring innovation to the world.
