Aerospace & High-altitude Applications – SIRIM (Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia)
Equipment Used: Low-Pressure Test Chamber
Temperature Range: -70°C to 150°C
Application in Practice:
Following installation at SIRIM’s environmental reliability laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, the equipment was promptly deployed for multiple national-level testing projects, providing authoritative low-pressure environment verification services to businesses in Malaysia and across ASEAN.
High-Altitude Testing of Avionics
To support the growth of Malaysia’s aerospace industry, SIRIM used the chamber to perform low-pressure tests on locally manufactured drone flight controllers, avionics instruments, and communication modules. In accordance with RTCA DO-160G, Section 4.0, the equipment conducted two-hour stability tests at simulated altitudes of 2,500m, 5,000m, 10,000m, and 15,000m, while continuously monitoring operating current, signal stability, and temperature rise under varying atmospheric pressures. The test data enabled manufacturers to optimize circuit board thermal management and component selection, ensuring reliable performance in high-altitude, low-pressure environments. To date, SIRIM has issued test reports meeting airworthiness requirements for five local aerospace suppliers.
Plateau Environment Simulation for Automotive Electronics
Given the diverse topography of Southeast Asia, certain vehicles must operate at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters. SIRIM uses the low-pressure test chamber to simulate plateau conditions (approximately 60 kPa atmospheric pressure) for comprehensive performance evaluation of engine ECUs, sensors, and wiring harnesses. By combining low pressure with temperature cycling between -20°C and +60°C, the system validates ignition stability, communication reliability, and sealing integrity. With precise control over pressure change rates to simulate vehicle ascent and descent, the chamber helps clients proactively identify issues such as seal failure or poor solder joints. To date, over 30 batches of automotive electronic products have been tested, serving suppliers to local automotive brands including Proton and Perodua.
Transport Simulation for Consumer Electronics
Addressing the needs of cross-border e-commerce and logistics, SIRIM offers low-pressure testing to simulate air freight conditions. The chamber maintains conditions of 18 kPa (approximately 10,000 meters altitude) for four hours, combined with a temperature of 40°C, to assess the durability of smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, and their packaging. Post-test inspections cover appearance, functionality, and airtightness, evaluating product resilience to air transport environments. This service has helped several local electronics brands meet international buyers’ shipping reliability requirements, reducing logistics-related damage rates by approximately 20%.
Validation of Packaging Materials and Medical Devices
As a major exporter of medical consumables, Malaysia relies on SIRIM’s low-pressure test chamber to simulate air freight conditions for products such as IV bags, syringes, and diagnostic test kits, verifying that no leakage or deformation occurs. The chamber is also used by food packaging companies to test the seal integrity of vacuum packaging, ensuring product integrity during cross-border transport.
Testing Efficiency and Data Value
Since the equipment was commissioned, SIRIM’s low-pressure testing capacity has increased by 200%. Testing cycles have been reduced from weeks (when samples were sent overseas) to just three to five business days locally, significantly lowering certification costs for businesses. All test data is automatically captured and stored via the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), generating raw data records and reports that comply with ISO 17025 requirements and provide a fully traceable foundation for subsequent certification audits.
