Barrier Properties
Oxygen transmission rate and water vapour transmission rate are two key material specification properties which determine the shelf life of food packaging. Pira offers a full range of barrier testing services, including an inter laboratory proficiency scheme.
The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of films and packs is determined using benchmark MOCON OX-TRAN 2/21 equipment. The water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of films and packs is tested using the MOCON PERMATRAN-W 3/33. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and other gas permeability through films can be measured using Lyssy L100-5000 equipment.
Oxygen permeation - MOCON OX-TRAN 2/21
- Controlled temperature and relative humidity
- Films: 0.005 cc/m2.day to 105 cc/m2.day
Packs: 5x10-5 cc/pack.day to 9 cc/pack.day
Water vapour permeation - MOCON PERMATRAN-W 3/33
- Controlled temperature and relative humidity
- Films: 0.005 g/m2.day to 6800 g/m2.day
- Packs: 5x10-5 g/pack.day to 3.4 g/pack.day
Gravimetric method
For low barrier films/packs
Other gas permeation - Lyssy L100/5000
- Manometric method
- Suitable for all gases, including N2, CO2 and He
- Films: 1 cc/m2.day to 10,000 cc/m2.day
Oxygen transmission rate testing is made in accordance with ASTM D-3985, ASTM F-1927 and ASTM F-1307, DIN 53380-3 or JIS K 7126. Water vapour transmission rates* can be determined according to ASTM F1249, BS 7406 method A, ISO 9932 or TAPPI T557. Other gas transmission rates are determined against the test methods detailed in ASTM D1434 and DIN 53380-1.
* Other standards for WVTR based on pack or dish methods including ASTM E96, BS 2782:820A, BS 3177, DIN 53122 and JIS Z 0208, are also available.
Contact:
Mark Taylor
email: mark.taylor@pira-international.com
Tel: +44 1372 80 2147