Strict standards: How do we test raw materials
In the rapidly evolving e-cigarette industry, product safety and quality form the cornerstone of consumer trust and regulatory compliance. As a professional e-cigarette manufacturer, we enforce the most stringent testing protocols throughout production—from inspecting incoming raw materials to verifying battery performance and evaluating final finished products. Our team designs every test step to eliminate potential risks, meet international standards (such as CE, FCC, and FDA requirements), and ensure each product reaching consumers is safe, reliable, and consistent. To clarify our quality control framework, below we detail our testing processes for raw materials, batteries, and finished products.
1. Raw Material Testing: The First Line of Quality Defense
Raw materials directly shape the safety and performance of e-cigarettes, so we enforce a “100% incoming inspection” policy—our quality team rejects any batch failing to meet our standards. We focus testing on two core raw material categories: e-liquid and atomizer components, each with targeted verification measures.
1.1 E-liquid Testing
E-liquid—composed of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavorings—stands as the most critical e-cigarette raw material. To guarantee its safety, our laboratory uses advanced equipment to conduct three key analyses:
- Component Purity Test: Our technicians use High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect impurities like heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), residual solvents (acetone, methanol), and harmful additives (formaldehyde, acrolein). We cap heavy metal limits at less than 0.1 ppm, well below international safety thresholds.
- Nicotine Concentration Verification: We also test nicotine content with ±0.1 mg/mL accuracy to ensure it matches the product label (e.g., 0mg, 3mg, 6mg). This step prevents underdose or overdose risks for consumers.
- Stability Test: Finally, we store e-liquid samples at 40°C (104°F) and 60% relative humidity for 30 days. We monitor changes in color, viscosity, and component degradation to confirm a 12-month shelf life without quality loss.
1.2 Atomizer Component Testing
Beyond e-liquid testing, we rigorously check atomizer components (coils, cotton, chambers) for material safety and durability—since they directly contact e-liquid and generate vapor. Our testing includes two main aspects:
- Material Compliance: We require coils to use food-grade stainless steel (316L) or titanium, and test them for nickel release (less than 0.5 μg/cm²/week) to avoid allergic reactions. For cotton, we inspect for pesticide residues and microbial contamination (capping total bacteria at ≤ 100 CFU/g).
- Heat Resistance Test: We also heat components to 300°C (572°F) for 2 hours. Our team checks for deformation, melting, or toxic fume emission—critical to preventing burns or chemical leaks during consumer use.
2. Battery Testing: Ensuring Safe Power Supply
Once we confirm raw materials are safe, our quality control process shifts to battery testing—the next critical phase. Battery safety remains non-negotiable for e-cigarettes, as faulty batteries can overheat, leak, or even explode. We source only lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion) meeting UL 1642 and IEC 62133 standards, and our team runs 8 key tests on every batch to eliminate risks:
- Overcharge Test: First, we charge batteries at 1.5 times the rated current for 24 hours. A qualified battery will not swell, leak, or ignite, and its voltage will stabilize within the safe 3.7V–4.2V range.
- Overdischarge Test: Next, we discharge batteries to 0V (below the recommended 2.75V cutoff) to verify they can recharge without performance loss or safety hazards.
- Short Circuit Test: For another key test, we connect positive and negative terminals with a 0.1Ω resistor for 10 seconds. The battery must not catch fire or explode, and its surface temperature must stay below 60°C (140°F).
- Temperature Shock Test: We also expose batteries to extreme temperatures (-40°C to 85°C) for 2 hours per cycle, repeating 10 times. This simulates harsh environments (e.g., cold winters or hot cars) to confirm stability.
- Drop Test: We drop batteries from 1.2 meters onto concrete (testing 6 orientations: front, back, left, right, top, bottom). No physical damage or performance drops are allowed.
- Crush Test: Finally, we apply 13 kN of force to batteries (equivalent to a small car’s weight). A qualified battery will not rupture or release toxic gases.
Beyond these basic tests, we evaluate the battery management system (BMS) in rechargeable e-cigarettes. The BMS must automatically cut power during overcharge, overdischarge, or short circuits—so we verify this function through 1,000 charge-discharge cycles to ensure long-term reliability.
3. Finished Product Testing: The Final Quality Check
Once batteries pass all safety checks, we move to the final quality assurance stage: finished product testing. After assembly, our team subjects finished e-cigarettes to a “three-stage testing process” to ensure they meet both safety and user experience standards. We sample 5% of each production batch (minimum 100 units) for destructive and non-destructive testing, with each stage building on the last.
3.1 Functional Testing
The first stage of finished product testing verifies functionality, confirming all device features work as designed. Key checks include:
- Power and Activation: We test the on/off switch, draw activation (if applicable), and LED indicator accuracy. The device must activate within 0.5 seconds of drawing and maintain stable power output.
- Vapor Production: We measure vapor volume (mL per puff) and consistency—variations between puffs must stay below 10% to ensure a uniform user experience.
3.2 Safety Testing
After confirming functional stability, we conduct safety testing—simulating real-world use to identify potential hazards. This stage includes:
- Leakage Test: We submerge devices in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. No water ingress or e-liquid leakage is allowed—leaks can irritate skin or damage batteries.
- Heat Dissipation Test: We operate devices continuously for 1 hour. Surface temperatures must not exceed 45°C (113°F) to prevent burns during handling.
3.3 Compliance and Labeling Test
The final stage of finished product testing focuses on regulatory compliance and labeling accuracy. To meet global standards, we verify two key aspects:
- All labels must display clear, accurate information: nicotine content, health warnings, manufacturing date, and certification marks (CE, FCC). Labels must also resist fading to stay legible throughout the product’s lifecycle.
- We also test electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) to ensure devices don’t interfere with other electronics (e.g., phones, medical equipment)—a requirement for global market access.
Conclusion
In summary, strict testing isn’t just a regulatory obligation—it’s our commitment to consumer safety and brand integrity. From raw material inspection to battery verification and finished product evaluation, each testing stage builds on the last, creating a comprehensive quality control framework. By enforcing these rigorous protocols, we minimize risks, ensure consistency, and uphold the highest industry standards. Every e-cigarette leaving our factory undergoes hundreds of tests, designed to deliver a safe, reliable, and satisfying experience. As the industry evolves, we’ll keep investing in advanced testing technology and updating protocols to address emerging safety challenges—keeping consumer trust at the center of our work.