Hirayama PC-3011 III — High-Pressure PCT Chamber (10 atm, 180 °C)
The Hirayama PC-3011 III is the high-pressure flagship of the Hirayama PC-III Saturated Pressure Cooker Test (PCT) chamber series, distributed in North America by Hastest Solutions. Rated to 0.902 MPa (10 atmospheric pressure) and 180 °C — significantly higher than the standard PC-305 III at 0.490 MPa / 158 °C — the PC-3011 III is the right choice when accelerated moisture-resistance testing requires elevated pressure beyond the working range of conventional PCT chambers.
Common applications include moisture-resistance evaluation of new materials, performance comparison testing during material development, accelerated storage testing of electronic parts, identification of defective production lots, surface treatment evaluation for lead pins and plated parts, and accelerated deterioration testing for paint-related materials.
PC-3011 III Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum working pressure | 0.902 MPa (10 atmospheric pressure) — high-pressure type |
| Temperature working range | 105 – 180 °C |
| Temperature control accuracy | Within ±1.0 °C |
| Humidity | Saturated steam (100% RH STD mode) |
| Effective chamber size | φ250 × D180 mm |
| Outside dimensions | W900 × D600 × H1150 mm |
| Weight | 110 kg |
| Continuous operation | Up to 500 hours |
| Time setting range | 0.1 h – 999.9 h (0.1 h increments) |
| Voltage application terminals | Optional (4 terminals, 600 V / 5 A max) |
| Lid opening method | Eye-nut type |
| Pressure vessel category | Small-sized pressure vessel |
| Chamber material | Stainless steel SUS316 (upgraded from SUS304 used on lower-pressure PC-III models) |
| Power supply | AC 200 / 220 / 230 / 240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Control method | PID control, SSD drive |
What Makes the PC-3011 III Different
- 10-atm working pressure — nearly double the pressure capability of the standard PC-305 III (6 atm), enabling the most aggressive moisture-pressure stress conditions in the PC-III family
- 180 °C maximum temperature — 22 °C higher than PC-305 III’s 158 °C ceiling
- SUS316 chamber construction — superior corrosion resistance versus SUS304 used on lower-pressure PCT models, important when testing aggressive specimens or extended durations
- Standard safety cover — the higher operating pressure of the PC-3011 III ships with a safety cover as a standard feature (optional on lower-pressure PC-III models)
- Sheathed heater breaker — additional safety device specific to the high-pressure model
Saturated Steam PCT Testing
The PC-3011 III operates in saturated steam (100% RH STD) mode for accelerated moisture-pressure testing. Unlike unsaturated HAST chambers (PC-R8/R9), the PC-III series is specifically designed for saturated wet conditions equivalent to traditional pressure-cooker test (PCT). The longer time-base of PCT testing — up to 500 hours of continuous operation — makes the PC-3011 III suitable for long-duration material qualification and for replicating field humidity-pressure conditions.
For comparison, see the standard-pressure PC-305 III and PC-305S III in the same Hirayama PC-III series, or the next-generation PC-R9 HAST chamber for unsaturated HAST testing per IEC 60068-2-66.
Why Buy from Hastest Solutions
- Authorized North American Hirayama distributor since 2002
- U.S.-based installation, calibration, and engineering support from San Jose, California
- OEM Hirayama spare-parts inventory in California
- ISO/IEC 17025 accredited contract PCT and HAST testing
- Application engineering for material qualification, semiconductor reliability, and electronics moisture-resistance testing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PCT and HAST testing?
PCT (Pressure Cooker Test) uses 100% RH saturated steam at moderate temperature and pressure for long durations (typically 96–500 hours). HAST (Highly Accelerated Stress Test) uses unsaturated humidity at higher pressure for shorter durations (typically 96 hours) and is defined in JEDEC JESD22-A110 and IEC 60068-2-66. The PC-3011 III is a PCT chamber; for HAST testing see the PC-R9 or PC-R9D.
Why choose 10-atm over 6-atm PCT?
Higher pressure accelerates moisture-related failure mechanisms further. Material developers and reliability engineers use 10-atm PCT to compress qualification timelines for new materials, plating systems, or coatings where standard PCT durations are impractical.
Is the PC-3011 III JEDEC compliant?
The PC-3011 III is suitable for the older saturated-steam JEDEC JESD22-A102 PCT method. Modern semiconductor qualification has largely shifted to JEDEC JESD22-A110 HAST per the PC-R8/R9 series. Contact Hastest at (408) 945-7861 for guidance on selecting between PCT and HAST methods.
Request a quote on the Hirayama PC-3011 III high-pressure PCT chamber: call (408) 945-7861 or email contact@hastest.com. Hastest Solutions, 2139 S. 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112.
