Hittebevestiging

Hit­tebevestiging is a Dutch term used in industrial and quality-control contexts to describe the verification that a heating step within a process has reached and maintained the required temperature for the specified duration. The concept can be translated as heat confirmation or heat validation and is part of process qualification and traceable quality assurance. In practice, hit­tebevestiging involves recording a temperature profile with calibrated equipment such as thermocouples, RTDs, data loggers, or infrared thermography, and comparing it with predefined criteria.

Applications span metal heat treatment (annealing, hardening), plastics curing, drying processes, food processing (pasteurization, sterilization, baking), and healthcare (sterilization of instruments). The essential aim is to provide evidence that the product or batch has undergone the intended thermal exposure, enabling traceability and compliance with standards.

Methods include direct contact sensing on or inside the product, non-contact techniques for surface or bulk measurements, and the use of indicators that change color when a target temperature is reached. Documentation typically includes process parameters, equipment used, calibration data, and time–temperature records to support audits and customer requirements.

Challenges involve non-uniform heating, load effects, sensor placement, and response delays. Effective hit­tebevestiging requires validated equipment, clear standard operating procedures, and periodic calibration, along with criteria for acceptance and procedures for corrective action if targets are not met.