Oxygen and Water Vapour Permeability testing

Over the past 40 years Pira International has been a leading provider of independent permeation test results in the UK and is ISO 17025, UKAS accreddited.

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.

Pira also offer a pre-test integrity assessment on packs using a high sensitivity gas leak detection system and pre-conditioning of films by controlled flexing to ASTM F392 using a standard Gelbo flextester.

Oxygen permeability 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 permeability 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.

Pira is ISO 17025, UKAS accredited for oxygen transmission rate testing to ASTM D-3985, ASTM F-1927 and ASTM F-1307, and moisture vapour transmission rate testing to ASTM F-1249 and BS 3177.