In the fields of scientific research, industrial production, and special applications, glove boxes are a key equipment that provides a highly pure environment, and their airtightness directly affects the accuracy of experimental results and the stability of product quality. Especially in lithium batteries OLED、 The airtightness of glove boxes is crucial in precision processes such as welding and 3D printing. However, with prolonged operation and use of the equipment, the various components of the glove box may experience a decrease in airtightness due to wear, aging, or improper operation.
Therefore, regular inspection and maintenance of the airtightness of the glove box has become an important link to ensure the smooth progress of experiments and production.
1、 The importance of airtightness in glove boxes
The airtightness of a glove box mainly refers to its ability to isolate its internal space from the external environment, that is, to prevent external air from entering the glove box. For experiments and production processes that require a highly pure environment, the airtightness of glove boxes directly affects the accuracy of experimental results and the reliability of products. Once the airtightness decreases, the invasion of external impurities will directly affect the material properties, chemical reaction efficiency, and product quality, and may even lead to experimental failure or product scrap.
2、 Testing method
To ensure the airtightness of the glove box, regular professional testing is required. Here are some commonly used detection methods:
Helium mass spectrometer leak detector detection method
This method releases trace amounts of helium gas inside the glove box and uses a helium mass spectrometer leak detector to detect the presence of helium gas outside the glove box. Due to the extremely small size of helium molecules, which can penetrate tiny gaps, this method can detect very small leakage points.
Pressure attenuation method
The pressure attenuation method is a simple and intuitive method for detecting airtightness. This method first fills the glove box with a certain pressure of gas (such as nitrogen), then closes all inlet and outlet ports, and records the initial pressure value. After a period of time, measure the air pressure inside the glove box again and evaluate the airtightness of the glove box by calculating the pressure drop. The faster the pressure drops, the worse the airtightness. It should be noted that this method is greatly affected by factors such as environmental temperature and humidity, and necessary calibration is required.
bubble method
The bubble method is a relatively simple airtightness testing method, suitable for preliminary investigation of larger leakage points. This method involves filling the glove box with a certain pressure of gas and applying soap water or other foaming agents to the suspected leak area. If bubbles are generated, it indicates that there is a leak at that location. However, this method cannot detect small leakage points and is susceptible to human error.
3、 Common problems and solutions
During prolonged use of the glove box, there may be some issues that lead to a decrease in air tightness. Here are some common problems and corresponding solutions:
The sealing ring is aging or damaged
The sealing ring is one of the key components for the airtightness of glove boxes. After prolonged use, the sealing ring may lose its sealing effect due to aging, hardening, or damage. At this point, it is necessary to replace the sealing ring with a new one in a timely manner and ensure correct installation.
Leakage at the welding point
The welding point is a key process in the production of glove boxes. If the welding quality is poor or the welding area is damaged, it will cause gas leakage. For the problem of leakage at the welding point, non-destructive testing and other methods can be used for investigation, and repair welding or re welding can be carried out according to the specific situation.
Equipment aging or damage
As the equipment is used for a longer period of time, the various components of the glove box may experience a decrease in air tightness due to aging, wear, or damage. At this point, a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of the equipment should be conducted, and damaged components or the entire device should be replaced as needed.
The airtightness of the glove box is one of the key factors to ensure the smooth progress of experiments and production. To ensure the airtightness of the glove box, regular professional testing and maintenance are required. By using detection methods such as helium mass spectrometer leak detector, pressure decay method, or bubble method, the airtightness problem of the glove box can be detected and solved in a timely manner. At the same time, corresponding solutions should be taken to repair and maintain common problems such as aging sealing rings, loose flange connections, welding leaks, and equipment aging. Only in this way can we ensure that the glove box maintains good airtightness during long-term use, providing a stable and reliable environmental guarantee for scientific research and production.
