Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions has multiple environmental temperature chambers maintaining different set points that can be utilized for all of your accelerated aging needs. Our accelerated aging calculator gives our customers a hint to how their products will respond to testing conditions.
We will make sure that you satisfy the internal and industry standards of your project. Accurate and reliable accelerated aging results will be provided based on your requirements along with exceptional, personal service. When testing is completed, you will receive a detailed, clear report for your product qualification and third-party validation testing. If you are ready to test now or if you need assistance in developing a test specification, call Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions.
Our accelerated aging calculator allows customers to easily view different aging test scenarios involving these four variables:
- Test Temperature (°C)
- Q10 (Reaction Rate Factor)
- Ambient Temperature (°C)
- Real-Time Equivalent (Day/Week)
Accelerated Aging in Detail
The common and conservative means of the accelerated aging calculation is based on the Arrhenius equation. This states that a 10°C increase in temperature doubles the rate of chemical reaction. This principle is used to simulate real shelf-life aging and is conducted to validate shelf-life claims and document expiration dates.
These accelerated tests help pinpoint possible seal and burst strength faults, leaks, and film delamination in the packaging of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The tests are prominent in biomedical research, pharmaceutical packaging, and medical device packaging and are a FDA requirement.
Accelerated aging uses vibration and various levels of conditions of humidity, heat, sunlight, and oxygen to accelerate products’ normal aging processes. Using controlled standard test methods, such testing can help determine the long-term effects of stress within an accelerated time and at expected levels. This allows manufacturers to estimate the useful lifespan or shelf life of a product when true lifespan data is unavailable. If a product has not existed long enough for useful lifespan data to be available, such as a new polymer or unique type of car engine, accelerated aging testing is most applicable.
Chemical or physical testing is conducted by subjecting products to different levels of stress for extended periods of time. Abnormally high levels of stress can accelerate the effects of natural aging while some stress levels are designed to intentionally force failures as a means of further analysis.
The conditions employed are based on the kind of material being tested. For example, mechanical parts may be pushed to very high speeds, dramatically exceeding how they would normally be used. On the other hand, polymers are generally stored at elevated temperatures to accelerate chemical breakdown. The material or device being tested can also be exposed to controlled rapid changes in temperature, pressure, humidity, strain, etc.
The Arrhenius Equation—The Formula for the Calculation
Our accelerated aging calculator uses the Arrhenius equation to make its estimates. The Arrhenius equation measures temperature dependence of reaction rates. Based on the work of Svante Arrhenius and Jacobus Henricus van’t Hoff in the late 19th century, the Arrhenius equation is indicative for both forward and reverse reactions.
The Arrhenius equation is often employed to model the temperature variation of diffusion coefficients, creep rates, the population of crystal vacancies, and additional thermally-induced processes and reactions. Arrhenius’ equation supports the postulate that the reaction rate of common chemical reactions at room temperature doubles for each 10° C increase in temperature.
Arrhenius equation: Definition of rate constant k, the pre-exponential factor A, and activation energy. How the exponential part of the Arrhenius equation depends on activation energy and temperature.
The Arrhenius equation is explained in detail courtesy of the Khan Academy.
Standards for the Accelerated Aging Calculator
These are primary accelerated aging standards pertaining to sterile barrier systems for medical devices:
- ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11607-1:2006
- ASTM F1980-07 (2011)
Most Common Variables For Accelerated Aging
- Accelerated test temperatures typically range between 50 to 60°C, the most common being 55°C.
- Typical ambient storage temperatures range between 22°C and 25°C. For the shortest test duration, 22°C is used.
- Q10 is commonly 2 for medical device testing.