Antimicrobial Packaging Technologies and Testing Emphases
Home The antimicrobial and anticorrosive requirements for food are stricter than those of pharmaceuticals, daily chemistry and electronic products; this is because food is composed of perishable components. The common antimicrobial and anticorrosive method is to add anticorrosive agent into food, yet, the safety of this method is still under dispute. The introduction of antimicrobial package has greatly relieved the dependence on food anticorrosive agent, and has become an effective means to improve food preserving quality and reduce the amount of additives. 1. The Limitations of Anticorrosive Agent The traditional antimicrobial and anticorrosive method for food is to add anticorrosive agent inside it. However, there exist several remarkable issues for this method. Firstly, the addition of anticorrosive agent to food would influence food safety. Though some anticorrosive agent has been applied for years, the potential safety hazard has been exposed with the deep-going researches. For example, benzoic acid, which has been widely applied, has led to the reports of several accumulating toxication. Secondly, from the viewpoint of the customers, though anticorrosive agent has been widely used, the acceptance of food with such elements is inferior to those without them. Thirdly, there would be a period of time, relating to the amount of anticorrosive agent inside, for such agent to release to the food surface and bring the antimicrobial and anticorrosive functions into full play. Therefore, even if the anticorrosive agent is added inside food, there would be a high requirement for the environment. 2. Antimicrobial Package The principle of antimicrobial package is different from anticorrosive agent. The antimicrobial function is realized through adding antimicrobial agents inside or on the surface of the packaging materials. Those antimicrobial agents would scarcely permeate the antimicrobial elements into the food, and thus, the food is safer. In this way, antimicrobial package provides a way for the reduction of anticorrosive agent’s amount. The antimicrobial package can be used individually, or with anticorrosive agent(s). The antimicrobial package is not required to instantly kill hazardous microbes, but required to restrain the growth and reproduction of those microbes in the long term so as to protect the food. To achieve this aim, controlled-release technology should be applied in antimicrobial package designing, so as to release the antimicrobial agent in the proper ‘speed’ that matches with the growth kinetics. Antimicrobial agent is the core of antimicrobial packaging system. Such agent has its specific antimicrobial activity, and the suitable agent should be chosen according to the activity of the target microbe. Antimicrobial chemical elements fit for food packaging include organic acid and salt, sulphurous acid, nitrous acid, antibiotics and ethanol, etc. Those elements are categorized into three states: solid state, solute state and gaseous state. Comparing with solid and solute antimicrobial agents, gaseous antimicrobial agent has remarkable advantages. They can evaporate and permeate into the places where the non-gaseous agents can not reach. Meanwhile, gaseous antimicrobial agent is in the headspace and has no direct contact with food. It’s not easy for such antimicrobial agent to permeate into the food so that the food safety is guaranteed. The inner environment of the package is directly influenced by the antimicrobial materials and their characteristics, and thus, the antimicrobial effects would be influenced. The hydrophilic property of the antimicrobial agent is usually better than the film materials. At the same time, the pores inside the materials would be filled with antimicrobial agents. So, the adding of antimicrobial agent would lead to slight changes to materials’ mechanical and processing properties as tensile strength and burst strength, etc., as well as gas and water vapor permeability, hygroscopic property, oil resistivity and glossiness, etc. The functioning of some antimicrobial agents has close relationship with the characteristics of the packaging materials. For example, utilizing anti-oxidant to create a non-oxygen environment to limit the mildew growth and the subsequent deterioration brings high requirements for the permeability of the packaging materials. When using gaseous antimicrobial agents, the oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of packaging materials, and the permeability of gaseous antimicrobial agent itself against the packaging materials should be considered. For example, ethanol’s permeability against the packaging materials needs to be considered for gaseous ethanol antimicrobial packages, and ethanol permeability test against the packaging materials is a necessity to avoid failure of the antimicrobial packaging system. 3. Permeability Testing Demands for Antimicrobial Packages The influence of antimicrobial agent to materials relates to additive amount and type of the antimicrobial agent. Therefore, a complete and comprehensive performance testing for antimicrobial packaging material is a must, so as to avoid losses caused by the decreasing material strength. As to antimicrobial packages with gaseous antimicrobial agents, the permeability of such agent should be especially noticed. The gas permeability of flammable, explosive or poisonous gases like chlorine dioxide or ozone, etc., can be tested by differential-pressure method, a method for common gas permeability testing. However, such instruments should be customized, and structural adjustment should be made according to characteristics of the corresponding testing gases. Labthink has provided customers with several customized differential-pressure method permeability instruments for specialty gas testing. There have been great differences between the testing methods for organic gases and inorganic gases. Organic vapors, such as ethanol, may lead to swelling of the film, and subsequently, remarkable changes to the permeability. Globally, the research of this field is still at the developing stage. Now, Labthink has newly introduced PERMETM2/410 Organic Gas Transmission Rate Test System, which applies the balancing-method to test the organic gas permeability. This instrument has patent structural design, and is composed of permeability cell, organic gas generating device, timed sampling valve, separation chamber and FID (fire ionized device), etc. It’s easy to control, and it’s the most automatic organic gas permeability testing instruments in the market. Now, Labthink Lab has accomplished organic gas permeability testing against several common flexible packaging films. Those organic gases include ethanol, acetone and toluene, etc. Some of the data can be seen in Chart 1. Chart 1. Ethanol Transmission/Permeability Rate through Common Materials Material Ethanol Transmission /Permeability Rate(g/m2.24h) PC(125um) 0.21
Influence of Plastic Packaging on Safety of Edible Oil
Home Edible oil is a necessity in daily life, to which frequent food safety problems have occurred in recent years. From the quality of product, packaging safety to the shelf life, wave after wave of safety problems with edible oil were reported and caused the panic of the consumers, who become confused about how to choose among various edible oil products. As a special “additive” for food, packaging has a more or less impact on food safety. This article describes the impact of packaging on the safety of edible oils and how to solve those safety problems and promote the safety of edible oil. Influences of Packaging on the Safety of Edible Oil Plasticizer Plasticizers can be used to increase the softness of materials or to liquefy materials, which are also widely used in the production of plastics, rubber and inks. Phthalates plasticizers are most common plasticizers for plastic food packaging materials. Because they do not form covalent bonds when mixed with plastics, they are likely to leach and volatilize into edible oils. During long-term storage’s contacting with the packaging, the plasticizer in the edible oil continues to accumulate and after the accumulated exceed certain amount in the edible oil, it may affect human health. Moreover, the plasticizer’s harm to the human body is not an acute poisoning reaction, but a similar effect of “environmental hormones” causing the body to secrete disorders, thereby impairing the function of the organism. Such damage is occult. In order to avoid the threat of plasticizers to human health, China has issued corresponding national standards to guide the use of plasticizers. For example, in GB9685-2008, it is clearly stated that DBP and DEHP are only used in packaging for fat-free foods. And with the enhancement of public awareness of food safety and arising of the accidents caused by the plasticizers, plasticizers have become the focus of food packaging, and as a result, PVC materials that use plasticizers are gradually disappearing in the edible oil market. Barrier Property Most consumers know about the influence of plasticizers on the safety of edible oil, which will be taken into consideration by the manufacturers of edible oil when selecting packaging materials. But not many people know how the barrier property of packaging material can influence the safety of edible oil. Edible oil contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, which are likely to be oxidized automatically or by photosensitive reaction and hydrolyzed during the storage process being exposed to oxygen, heat, light, moisture and metal ions, etc., and then begin to decompose to form compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, etc., which have a special odor. Oxygen is the main factor that causes deterioration of edible oil. Therefore, antioxidants are usually added to the edible oil to ensure the stability of the oil. In order to reduce or avoid the use of antioxidants, it is required to improve the oxygen barrier property of the packaging material. Barrier property refers to the barrier ability of packaging materials to pass through water vapor, oxygen, and nitrogen, etc. The high-barrier packaging material can prevent the oxygen in the air from permeating through the package, so as to avoid the contact of the edible oil with oxygen and ensure the quality and safety of the edible oil. Seal Performance In addition to carrying edible oil, the packaging also protects the edible oil. If the seal performance of the package is poor, it will not only cause the oil leakage, but also create a passage for the oxygen to enter the package. According to the data, even the edible oil in glass packaging, if the bottle is not sealed after use, the peroxide value of soybean oil can reach more than 9mmol / kg, after 6 months of storage at room temperature, while for peanut oil and sunflower blending oil, this value may reach more than 10mmol/kg after three months of storage, all exceeding the national standard of 6.0mmol/kg or 7.5mmol/kg for edible oil quality standards. If the bottle mouth is resealed after opening, the oxidation rate of the edible oil can be effectively reduced, and the peroxide value of the edible oil can be kept within the required standard range within 12 months. Therefore, the seal performance of the bottle mouth is of great significance to the hygienic safety of edible oil. Measures to take to ensure the safety of edible oil Evaporation Residue Test In addition to plasticizer, stabilizer, diluent and other additives of plastics are also liable to dissolve in oil, which may migrate from the packaging into the edible oil during storage. Evaporation residue is an indicator for detecting the mass of chemicals that may come out when food contact materials are exposed to water, acidic substances, alcohols and oils, etc. in use. The simulant materials are generally distilled water, 4% acetic acid, 20% or 65% ethanol and n-hexane. For edible oil packaging, the simulant can be n-hexane. Today, we have special testing instrument for evaporation residue, which can avoid the manual operation errors. For example, Labthink’s ERT-01 Evaporation Residue Constant Weight Tester is a professional automatic testing instrument for evaporation residue of edible oil packaging. The testing accuracy of this instrument reaches 0.3mg and the test temperature can be controlled with the range of 100~130oC so the weighing process can be performed at high temperature, which minimizes the interference to the testing accuracy in the cooling process. The tests follow the test methods described in GB13113-91: Hygienic Standard for Polyethylene Terephthalate Products Used as Food Containers and Packaging Materials, and GB5009.60-03: Method for analysis of hygienic standard of products of polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropyrene for food packaging. Pour the simulant solution into the sample as required so as to contact with the inside of the sample. After soaking for 2 hours, take 200 ml of the soaked n-hexane and pour it into the test cup. At the same time, add 200 ml of the n-hexane stock solution into the test cup for blank test. Each test cup was
Development of Integral Package Barrier Property Testing
Home In the past, barrier property testing was only for films, which has brought great inconvenience to end package manufacturers and users. Most raw materials they bought could make barrier property testing, but the finished packages, owing to the lack of testing techniques, would bring hidden dangers to end-product quality. The difficulty for testing lies in the varied shapes of packages. However, owing to the promotion of barrier property testing, integral package barrier property testing has made great progress with more kinds of testable packages. This article makes a detailed introduction on the development of integral package barrier property testing and relevant testing cases. 1. Introduction to Integral Package Barrier Property Testing Techniques Keeping certain shapes is the most basic characteristic for packages. Therefore, keeping the package intact is the first thing when testing. Secondly, the seal performance of testing instruments and sampling accessories should be guaranteed. Those two points are difficult to achieve for package testing, compared with film and sheet testing. 1.1 Equal Pressure Method Package Oxygen Transmission Rate Testing Techniques The testing principles of equal pressure method oxygen transmission rate for both films and packages are similar. First, the preconditioned specimen separates the transmission chamber into two separate gas flow systems. Testing gas flows in one side of the package, such as pure oxygen or mixed gas with oxygen; high pure carrier gas flows in the other side. Though the gas pressure of two sides are the same, oxygen sub-pressures are different. Therefore, under the gradient of oxygen concentration, oxygen transmits through package and is carried to the sensor by the carrier gas. The sensor will measure the oxygen quantity in the carrier gas flow precisely, so as to work out the oxygen transmission rate of the tested package. If only specimen preparation issue can be effectively resolved, various packages are testable by this method. Testing subjects can be the integral package or a part of it, including various bottles, the connecting part of bottle cup and bottle body, bottle cup, capsule, blister, tube, injection, IV bags, flexible pipe and various ball-shape packages. Besides, the contents of tested packages can be in or not, so as to provide most reliable data for package evaluation in actual application and quality change of contents. At present, ASTM F 1307 is the only testing standard for equal pressure method, and is applicable for all packages that can produce dry spaces inside. Moreover, equal pressure method oxygen transmission rate testing techniques can also be used under humid circumstances, and can further provide an environment with certain humidity in or out side the package. 1.2 Differential Pressure Method Package Gas Transmission Rate Testing Technique Keeping the package shape intact is the main difficulty for differential pressure method package gas transmission rate testing. Owing to the pressure difference between the inner and outside of the package, the tested specimen might be destroyed by pressure difference without appropriate means to keep its shape, and result in meaningless testing results, or even no testing data. At present, in the field of differential pressure method gas transmission rate testing research, Labthink has made breakthrough. At the same time, Labthink has successfully extended integral package gas transmission rate testing from oxygen alone to many common inorganic gases. However, there are not many kinds of subjects can be tested with this method. 1.3 Weighing Method Package Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing Technique Weighing method water vapor transmission rate testing is the traditional method for package water vapor transmission rate testing; the relevant testing methods are: GB/T 6981-1986, GB/T 6982-1986 and ASTM D 3079-94. The testing process is as follows: first, put the desiccant (container is permitted) into the specimen, and seal the open place on the package wall. After preheating, put the specimen into the testing chamber with constant humidity and constant temperature for humidity and temperature test. Then, weigh the weight of the specimen at proper intervals according to the water vapor transmission performance of the package. When the transmission reaches stability, calculate the integral package water vapor transmission rate on the added weight of the specimen. However, open a mouth on the package wall is not practical, and it would always lead to operational failure and corresponding failure. Therefore, in the standards for pharmaceutical packaging materials, the desiccant is changed into distilled water or other testing solvents when using this method. Thus, there is no need to open and close the package mouth repeatedly; and the only thing needs to do is to weigh the package at certain intervals. However, the long testing periods and precision limit are the inherent shortcomings of this method. 1.4 Sensor Method Package Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing Technique Sensor method and different pressure method package water vapor transmission rate testing techniques are similar in the testing principle: separate the transmission cell into two isolated gas flow system by the package, one side of the package flows the carrier gas (dry); and another side is in a relative humidity. Thus, a stable water vapor concentration difference exists between the two sides of the specimen (relative humidity). Under the influence of water vapor concentration difference, water vapor transmits through the package wall and is carried to the sensor. The sensor measures the water vapor content in the carrier gas accurately so as to further calculate water vapor transmission rate of the specimen. This method is applicable for bottles, pouches, capsules, blisters, IV packages, flexible pipes and other forms of packages. Now, the testing accuracy of this method is up to 0.001g/pkg·d; the testing period is only 3 to 4 days; and the testing process is completely automatic. 2. Typical Application Examples Usually, package barrier property testing is for bottles or certain parts of the bottle. However, package is not limited to bottle, pouches, flexible pipe and PVC trays also have broad applications, among which, the testing for pouches and small-sized package (e.g., blister) are more emphasized. 2.1 Pouches The space maintenance of the pouches should be taken care of when using
Innovation, not just Appearance – Labthink’s 30 Years of Ingenuity Brings C130H Gas Permeability Tester to Market
Home Thirty years to build a brand. Labthink was founded in 1989, and has been deeply engaged in the field of packaging physical performance testing for 30 years. It has made a lot of explorations in improving the inspection level in the industry and promoting the standardization of inspection. On the 30th anniversary, Labthink launched a commemorative innovative product, C130H Gas Permeation Test system, a high precision laboratory testing instrument based on differential pressure method, to help realize gas permeability, solubility coefficient and diffusion of thin films and sheets tests in fields of scientific research and food, pharmaceuticals, packaging materials and many others, efficiently enhance product quality control and new product R&D processes. Mr. Chen Xi, Director of Labthink Global Markets Center, said: “C130H has completely overturned the appearance and structure of Labthink’s barrier instruments in the past 30 years, brought together many key technological innovations in Labthink. We hope that through simple operation, powerful functions and comprehensive customization services, users can complete more test tasks in their working hours and obtain more reliable test results. Test has never been simpler Labthink designed a revolutionary overall structure to simplify operation and improve performance, in order to create a simple, comfortable and intelligent operation process. Based on users’ demand, C130H provides three test modes: intelligent test mode, scientific research test mode and high efficiency mode, to fit users’ needs at different levels. Intelligent test mode – Only a small number of parameters such as test temperature need to be set, one-button operation and automatic stop. Simplified parameter setting process requires less operation and offers more comfortable experience. Scientific research mode – Provides flexible and rich parameters and functional settings, users can “freely design” a variety of testing schemes. High efficiency mode – Set the test time in high efficiency mode, and the instrument will stop automatically in the preset test time. Accurate, stable and outstanding For 30 years, Labthink has been exploring for “extreme test precision”. The newly born C130H, which benefits from the continuous improvement and creative integration of cutting-edge technology, presents excellent data reproducibility and test reliability, and represents a significant progress in the accuracy of current differential pressure gas permeation test. Because of the complex and uncertain factors such as temperature and pressure, the differential pressure gas permeation testing instrument requires extremely stable and precise control technology. To this end, Labthink has made many innovative designs, such as: Using imported sensors with higher accuracy – excellent sensitivity and analysis rate, the ultra-high barrier material with 0.01-0.09 cm3/m2* 24h*0.1 MPa can be accurately measured, showing unprecedented test repeatability. Unique temperature control technique – A unique technology based on thermodynamics and hydromechanics is adopted to make the constant and uniform temperature air flow circulate in test chambers. The temperature fluctuation in the test chambers is controlled below 0.05 after rigorous test verification. Wide range pressure setting – support flexible pressure setting of high pressure chamber in 10KPa~210KPa range, accurate pressure sustaining of system. Full automatic precise pressure compensation technology – during the test process the pressure is compensated automatically for high pressure chamber to achieve constant pressure difference between high and low pressure chamber. The test results show that the pressure change is controlled within 0.2KPa. Test Temperature and Pressure Calibration Port – Provide Fast and Convenient Verification of Temperature and Pressure Accuracy. Real-time display of test curves – including pressure-time curve, transmission rate-time curve, temperature-time curve, to facilitate users to fully grasp the test situation, and temperature and pressure fluctuations. Imported pneumatic control system – upgraded reliability, with ultra-low failure rate and ultra-long service life, excellent air tightness, eliminates unstable factors of manual operation. “C130H shows the proved accuracy and stability in the permeability test of medium and low barrier materials, and its performance in the test of high barrier materials is even more surprising. This innovative gas permeability test scheme provides accurate data for inspectors, helps them to make more intelligent improvements or quality control programs. Focusing on best efficiency Accuracy and efficiency achieve high test throughput and reduce laboratory operating costs. Labthink knows this well. Therefore, in the industrial design of this instrument, “high efficiency” runs through the whole process of optimizing the structure, components and system. The innovative three-chamber design enables the system to measure three or even more sample in one test. Upgraded automation technology and vacuum pumping technology can optimize the efficiency while minimizing the complexity of operation. When using C130H for gas permeability testing, the test time is greatly shortened. “Taking vacuuming time into account, the test of medium and low barrier materials can be completed in 4 hours, and the test time of high barrier materials can be controlled in 8 hours.” Labthink R&D Engineer said. More functions for various user needs Based on technological innovation, Labthink has always been committed to the research and development of personalized customization functions. User needs and suggestions are the core driving force of Labthink’s continuous innovation and the reasons of Labthink‘s industrial foresight. At present, C130H provides users with the following mature technology applications. Beside, Labthink will do its best to meet the specific requirements of users. Hazardous Gas Permeability Testing Technology – Through special customization, to achieve the permeability testing of toxic, harmful, flammable and explosive dangerous gases. Data Curve Fitting in Permeation (DCFP) – Obtain gas permeability, permeability coefficient, diffusion coefficient and solubility coefficient of materials at non-standards temperature in a simple, convenient and economical way. Test Gas Humidification Technology – Supports test gas testing with different humidity, automatic and precise control, without manual intervention. Software System Required by GMP – Customize the Software System that meets the data traceability requirements of GMP in China to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Data ShieldTM System – secure and reliable data centralized management facilitates convenient connection with information systems, and can be shared by multiple Labthink products. C130H is designed based on GB, ISO, ASTM and other national and international standards. It meets the system requirements of differential pressure test standards, adopts the integration of instrument and software and automatic design. Reliable unattended operation facilitates different levels
Why the Permeability Rate of a Polymer Material is Dependent Upon a Variety of Factors
Home The role of your plastic packaging materials is to protect and preserve the quality of your food product from production to end-of-use. In the process of designing your packaging, choosing the right polymer material for your product and package is vital to its success. The barrier properties of your packaging material must be considered, along with the components of your food, the interactions between the material and its environment and its permeability to various gases or vapors. Oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and sometimes carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO2TR) are most common tests for evaluating the permeability of food packaging materials. It is essential to test the material’s transmission rates for each of these gases individually and never assume that your material has the same level of transmission rate for every gas, as Polymer materials behave differently to certain gasses. Likewise, different gasses behave differently to the same material. This article will explain this is in further detail to hopefully help you make the best decisions when selecting new materials for your food or beverage packaging. Oxygen (O2) is abundant in the environment. For most food products, oxygen is destructive and will cause oxidative deterioration of the food and encourage aerobic micro-organism growth. Hence the packaging material should be a good oxygen barrier so that you can meet your desired shelf life (or even improve it) while maintaining the high quality of the food. Moisture ingress or egress is also important factors to many food products due to the fact that the foods physical and chemical deterioration’s are related to the moisture content within the package. Therefore, it is also vital to evaluate the Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the packaging material. CO2 is needed to control aerobic bacteria and mold growth, this is particularly important with food related applications. CO2 is often combined with N2 and used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) systems to help avoid food degradation and extend shelf life. It’s also critical to access the CO2 permeability of a bottle used in carbonated drink applications to halt any loss of CO2 while on the shelf, keeping it fully carbonated until consumed. Although it may be difficult to find a mono-layer polymer material that will serve as a good barrier for all these gases remember it is possible and that there is no such thing as the perfect package. You just need to be sure that it can withstand the packaging, handling and shipping process while also maintaining the integrity of the product by properly protecting it from various gases/vapors and environments. This is where testing plays an important role in helping you choosing the right material for your package application. For example, HDPE has the following permeation rates (relative values are shown) to the following gases: HDPE Permeation Rates by Gas Polymer Oxygen Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide HDPE 73 17 580 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a rigid, tough and strong resin of natural milky color. HDPE has very good stress crack resistance as well as high impact and melt strength. HDPE is appropriate for personal care, beverages, food and chemicals. It lends itself particularly well to blow molding. When HDPE is compared with PET, their permeation rates (relative values) to oxygen are also different. Polymer Oxygen HDPE 73 PET 2.3 Note: Data source: Permeability Properties of Plastics and Elastomers, 2nd Edition, L. Massey. Now that we have the basics down let’s dive deeper into what makes a polymer behave so differently to specific gases/vapors. The phenomenon we see here is related to permeation theory, the chemical and physical natures of the polymer and the permeants, as well as the interaction between the polymer and the permeant. Permeation Theory: P = S X D Permeability From permeation theory, we know that P = S x D. It means that permeability (P) is directly related to diffusivity (D) and solubility (S) of a polymer material. Here S is the solubility of a polymer material that related to “like dissolves like”. “Like dissolves like” is an expression used by chemists to remember how chemical substances tend to dissolve in solvents of similar structure. It refers to “polar” and “nonpolar” solvents and solutes. Basic example: Water is polar. Oil is non-polar. Water will not dissolve oil. When talking about gas and polymer, water is polar, so it would dissolve more into polymers that are polar such as PET, Nylon and such. While O2 is non-polar, it would dissolve into non-polar polymers such as PE, PP and most polyolefins. Therefore, usually WVTR is higher for PET, EVOH, Nylon and alike, but OTR will be higher for polyolefins such as PP, PE, etc. On the other hand, D is the diffusivity that is related to the permeant molecule’s size and how fast it moves. Smaller molecules such as Hydrogen and Helium usually move much faster than H2O and O2. Hence, gases with smaller molecules will have higher transmission rate. Permeation Affected by Environment Factors Temperature plays a major role in the permeation rate of a material. The higher the temperature, the higher the permeation. As a Rule of Thumb, every 10°C increase in temperature, the transmission rate doubles, or every 1°C increase, the transmission rate increases 5-7%. The relative humidity (RH) in the environment can impact polymer differently. RH can greatly affect permeation for hydrophilic materials. Proper RH generation and measurement are necessary for accurate permeation results. Permeation Affected by Partial Pressure Differential of Permeant Gas The driving force for permeation is the partial pressure differential of a permeant gas. An example is CO2 permeates out from a bottle of carbonated soft drink after 4atm of CO2 is filled inside the bottle to start with. The permeation is proportional to this driving force. For example, if a film’s OTR is 5 cc/(m^2·day) when the driving force is 21% oxygen (room air), its OTR becomes 23.8 cc/(m^2·day) when the driving force is 100% oxygen. Other Factors There are other factors (Cooksey, K.) would influence the transmission rates for different gases.
Labthink Introduces Cutting-Edge C406H: A Revolutionary Combination OTR and WVTR Tester
Home Labthink’s C406H combines OTR and WVTR testing capabilities in a single instrument, we are empowering manufacturers to gain a deeper understanding of their materials’ barrier performance, ultimately enhancing product quality and reliability.” Medford, MA USA, 27th November 2023 – Labthink, a global leader in testing and analysis instrumentation, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the C406H Combination OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) and WVTR (Water Vapor Transmission Rate) Tester. This state-of-the-art testing equipment represents a significant advancement in the field of permeation testing, offering unparalleled accuracy, efficiency, and versatility. The Labthink C406H is designed to meet the evolving needs of industries such as food and beverage packaging, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and materials research. By seamlessly integrating both OTR and WVTR testing capabilities into a single platform, this tester streamlines the permeation testing process, allowing for the measurement of oxygen and water vapor transmission rates within one dual-purpose instrument. This comprehensive approach enables manufacturers to gain a holistic understanding of their materials’ barrier properties, ensuring the production of high-quality and durable products. Key Features of the Labthink C406H Combination Tester : • Dual Testing Capabilities: The C406H allows users to conduct OTR and WVTR tests independently or sequentially, providing flexibility in experimental design and a more comprehensive analysis of barrier performance. • Advanced Sensor Technology: Equipped with cutting-edge sensors, the C406H ensures precise and reliable measurement of transmission rates, even for ultra-thin or highly permeable materials. • User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive and user-friendly interface of the tester simplifies operation and data interpretation, making it accessible to both seasoned professionals and those new to permeation testing. • High Throughput: With its efficient design, the C406H enables high throughput testing, allowing manufacturers to optimize their production processes and bring products to market faster. • Compliance with International Standards: The C406H meets and exceeds international testing standards, ensuring that results are accurate, reproducible, and in compliance with industry regulations. Craig Primiani, Labthink International CEO, stated, “The C406H is a testament to Labthink’s commitment to innovation and excellence. By combining OTR and WVTR testing capabilities in a single instrument, we are empowering manufacturers to gain a deeper understanding of their materials’ barrier performance, ultimately enhancing product quality and reliability.” The Labthink C406H is now available for purchase. For more information, please visit www.flexitest.in
Understanding Six Cell Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Units in Packaging
Home The Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) is a key parameter in packaging, particularly for safeguarding products against moisture. The C306H six-cell WVTR unit is commonly used to measure the WVTR of packaging materials. This article will explain the concept of WVTR, its importance, and provide an in-depth look at the six-cell measurement method. Understanding Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR):WVTR refers to the quantity of water vapor that passes through a material within a defined time frame. It plays a vital role in packaging, as excessive moisture penetration can negatively affect the quality and shelf life of products like food, pharmaceuticals, and electronic devices. Importance of WVTR in Packaging : Preserving Product Quality: Many products, including food and pharmaceuticals, are highly sensitive to moisture. By controlling WVTR, manufacturers can ensure that their products maintain their intended quality and effectiveness throughout their shelf life. Preventing Corrosion: Moisture can cause corrosion and deterioration in electronic devices and metal components. Monitoring and managing WVTR is essential to avoid these damaging effects and ensure the longevity of these products. Extending Shelf Life: Packaging materials with a low WVTR can significantly extend the shelf life of products. This not only reduces waste but also guarantees that consumers receive products in their freshest and most effective state. The Six Cell C306H Instrument:The C306H six-cell WVTR instrument, developed by Labthink, is one of the latest tools used to measure water vapor transmission. This method involves placing a sample of the packaging material between two chambers: one filled with dry nitrogen and the other with humidified nitrogen. The instrument then measures the rate at which water vapor passes through the material, providing accurate WVTR readings. Importance of WVTR in Packaging : Test Cells: The packaging material samples are sealed within six individual test cells. These cells create a barrier between two distinct environments: one with dry nitrogen and the other with humidified nitrogen, allowing for accurate measurement of WVTR. Controlled Conditions: To replicate real-world conditions accurately, the test is conducted under precisely controlled temperature and humidity. This ensures that the results are reliable and reflect how the material would perform in actual storage or usage scenarios. Measurement Devices: Advanced sensors are used to monitor and measure the humidity levels in both chambers. The WVTR is then calculated based on the amount of water vapor detected by the sensor that passes through the material sample within a set period of time. This process provides a precise measurement of the material’s water vapor transmission rate. Advantages of the C306H Six Cell Instrument : Test Cells: In the six-cell method, samples of the packaging material are securely sealed inside six individual test cells. Each test cell serves as a barrier, separating two different environments—one containing dry nitrogen and the other humidified nitrogen. This setup helps simulate real-world conditions where moisture barriers are needed. Controlled Conditions: The test is performed under strict control of both temperature and humidity, ensuring that the testing environment closely mimics actual conditions. This allows for more accurate results that reflect how the material would behave in real-world applications, such as during storage or transport. Measurement Devices: The WVTR is measured using a sophisticated sensor that detects and monitors humidity levels in both chambers. The sensor tracks the amount of water vapor passing through the packaging material over a defined area and period. By calculating the difference in humidity between the two chambers, the WVTR is precisely determined. This method ensures high accuracy in measuring how much water vapor the material allows to pass through. Conclusion : In the ever-evolving field of packaging, understanding and controlling the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) is essential. The C306H plays a pivotal role in providing precise assessments of the WVTR across a wide range of packaging materials, helping to create more effective and dependable packaging solutions. As technology continues to progress, we can expect new methods and innovations that will further improve our ability to measure and control water vapor transmission rates. These advancements will ultimately enhance the quality and shelf life of packaged products. For more details or to inquire about using our upgraded Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System, please contact: Flexitest : Material Testing Instruments, Mumbai, IndiaVisit: www.flexitest.in
