Moisture analysis methods for connectors

To determine moisture content in sensitive parts, eg connectors, DSM compared three measurement techniques:

Halogen Moisture Analyzer
Karl Fisher Titration
Vaporimetry

Halogen Moisture Analyser

Comparative testing of available methods

Tests were carried out on Smart Media Card connectors that had been immersed in water for 12 hours and then conditioned at 40ºC and 95% RH for 24 hours to absorb high water content.

All of the techniques gave similar moisture readings. However, the Halogen Moisture Analyzer was easiest to use, for the following reasons:

No need to cut specimens to small pieces
Faster
Portable
No solvent required
No vacuum required
The halogen technology heats the sample in seconds
The drying temperature can be precisely controlled