Advanced Packaging Test

Permeability of films is classified based on their gas transmission rate at a specific thickness. High barrier films exhibit the lowest transmission rate, followed by barrier films and low barrier films. Due to their superior gas barrier properties, high barrier films are increasingly important in the packaging industry. Since most packaging materials undergo reprocessing steps like coextrusion or lamination, it's essential to test the permeability of the final product to ensure package quality. Reprocessing can alter the physical and chemical properties of the raw materials, affecting their permeability. The chosen test method can significantly impact the results. For instance, in the differential pressure method using a vacuum, the degree of vacuum achieved in the test chamber is critical. Standards like ASTM D 1434 and ISO 2556 specify the required vacuum level. Several instrument parameters are crucial for accurate testing of high barrier films. For example, vacuum gauge and te...

Permeability is a crucial property for various polymer film applications, including packaging, medical devices, and protective coatings. It signifies the ability of a material to allow gases, vapors, or liquids to pass through its structure. This report explores two standard methods for measuring the permeability of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and organic vapors through flat polymer structures: the continuous-flow method and the lag-time method. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International provides standardized procedures for permeability measurements. ASTM D 3985-81 outlines the method for measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide gas permeability, while ASTM E 96-80 details the measurement of water vapor permeability. Permeability of organic vapors is often determined using similar principles, with commercially available equipment from companies like MAS Technologies Inc. and Modern Controls Inc. C403H Oxygen /Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is ba...

The auto industry is witnessing a surge in the use of non-metal materials. This trend is fueled by advancements in material processing technology and the potential benefits these materials offer.   However, this increased use of non-metal materials comes with a new set of challenges. Unlike traditional metals, non-metal materials can emit hazardous substances or be susceptible to factors like condensation and gas permeability. These factors can negatively impact factors such as driver safety, comfort, and overall car performance.To address these concerns, the development of corresponding test methods, standards, and instruments is crucial. Ensuring Clear Visibility: Fogging Test Interior car materials, such as plastics, textiles, and adhesives, can emit volatile substances when heated. These substances can condense on the windshield, reducing visibility and creating a safety hazard. The fogging test helps assess this fogging property. Labthink FT-F1 fogging tester is professional...

Containers encompass bottle and cup forms. Bottle caps should be designed for easy opening, typically by controlling the torque force required for rotation. Special attention is given to pull-tab caps, ensuring they open with a designated amount of force. Cups are generally opened by peeling a sealed area or puncturing the rim using tools like straws. Here, the focus is on adjusting the seal strength or puncture resistance of the material according to the package's contents and target consumers. For instance, children's beverage packaging should consider a child's grip and wrist strength when designing the opening mechanism. Several key parameters are identified to improve opening easiness in containers: Friction Coefficient Testing: This test measures the friction on the external package wall, bottle cap surface, and cap material surface. A low friction coefficient on the external wall can make the bottle slippery and difficult to hold during opening. Conversely, a high f...

The effectiveness of flexible packaging relies heavily on its sealability. Leaks can compromise the barrier properties of the packaging material, leading to product spoilage due to gas or liquid permeation. However, the specific sealability requirements vary depending on the packaging style. For instance, heat-sealed packages are susceptible to leaks at the seal edges, necessitating tests that evaluate heat seal strength, quality, and burst pressure. In contrast, pilfer-proof closures require assessments of cap integrity, torsional airproof index, and cap joint/disengaging strength. General sealability testing involve pressurizing the package interior to create a pressure differential between the inside and outside environments. This approach can be implemented using either positive pressure (air inflation) or negative pressure (vacuum). Labthink C660M Leak and Seal Strength Tester is designed base on the positive pressure test methods, it is applicable to quantitative determination...

Water vapor permeability is a key performance indicator for the water barrier properties of packaging materials like films and sheets. It reflects the amount of water vapor that can permeate a material of specific thickness under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity. The gravimetric method, introduced in the mid-19th century, is the foundation for WVP testing. It directly measures the weight change of a desiccant exposed to water vapor transmitted through the test specimen. This method is enshrined in ASTM E 96, the first water vapor permeability testing standard established in 1953. Modern gravimetric instruments combine the testing environment and weighing into a single unit, enhancing accuracy and simplifying operation. Advancements in weighing technology further improve test efficiency and precision. Labthink C360H Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is developed based on the gravimetric determination method and conforms to ASTM E96. Sensor methods enc...

Blister packages (PTP packages) are widely used for solid pharmaceuticals like tablets and capsules. Material selection for these packages is crucial as it impacts the integrity and shelf life of the medication. Impact resistance is a critical mechanical property that ensures the package can withstand potential impacts during storage and transportation.   Impact resistance testing offers several benefits for manufacturers and users of blister package materials. It ensures product integrity. By identifying materials with sufficient impact resistance, manufacturers can minimize the risk of damage to packaged medications during handling and distribution. The test helps Maintaining product quality by Maintaining package integrity safeguards the quality and efficacy of the medication throughout its shelf life. The commonly used methods in impact resistance test include pendulum impact test, falling dart impact test and falling ball impact test. In falling dart and falling ball impact te...

Light, oxygen, and water vapor are identified as the primary factors contributing to dairy spoilage. Light exposure can degrade vitamins and negatively impact flavor, while oxygen accelerates oxidation reactions leading to product quality decline. Water vapor transmission can affect product texture and consistency. Two primary test items are employed to evaluate the barrier properties of dairy packaging materials: Oxygen barrier Test: This test, potentially utilizing instruments like the Labthink C206H Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System, measures the rate of oxygen permeation through the packaging material. Lower oxygen permeability values indicate superior barrier properties. Water Vapor barrier Test: This test assesses the rate of water vapor transmission through the packaging. Lower water vapor permeability signifies a stronger barrier against moisture. C406H Oxygen/Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is developed for measuring the oxygen and water vapor transmission rate ...

Permeability refers to a material's ability to allow a substance, such as a gas or vapor, to pass through it. It is an inherent property of the material and plays a crucial role in packaging applications. Materials with low permeability are ideal for preserving the shelf life of products by restricting oxygen and moisture ingress. Two primary methods are employed for permeability testing, differential pressure method and sensor method. Differential pressure method is widely used and involves creating a pressure difference across the test material. One side of the sample is exposed to the target gas or vapor at a higher concentration, while the other side is maintained at a lower concentration. Instruments employing this method typically measure the flow rate of the permeating substance across the material under a constant pressure difference.   Labthink C101B , C106H , C130H and VAC-V2 Gas Permeability Testers are developed based on the differential pressure method. These instrum...

Friction coefficient is a crucial factor in the packaging process, affecting both drag and resistance forces. This study utilizes a Labthink C620H Friction / Peel Tester to measure the coefficient of static and kinetic friction for two representative materials: PC film and aluminum foil complex film. The tests were conducted at varying temperatures ranging from room temperature to 90.0 °C. Tested Materials include a PC film, which is a common type of plastic film used in packaging applications, and an Aluminum foil complex film, this film combines aluminum foil with another material, likely plastic, to offer specific properties like barrier protection. Labthink C620H Friction / Peel Tester is utilized in this study. This instrument measures coefficient of static and kinetic friction of plastic films, sheets, foils, paper, and many other materials, it can also measure the peel strength of adhesive laminated products, medical adhesive bandage, release paper and protection films. The tes...

Headspace gas analysis is usually applied for monitoring and ensuring packaging quality control by analyzing the factors influencing product shelf life and the role of gas composition within the package. There are some commonly recognized key considerations for selecting suitable headspace gas analyzers. Packaging plays a crucial role in preserving product quality and extending shelf life. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmosphere packaging (CAP) techniques utilize specific gas mixtures within the package to achieve this goal. However, maintaining the desired gas composition throughout the product's life cycle is essential. Headspace gas analysis offers a valuable tool for monitoring gas composition within the package and ensuring packaging integrity. The primary factors influencing product shelf life include oxygen and water vapor content. Oxygen can degrade product quality through oxidation, leading to discoloration, rancidity, and growth of aerobic bacteria. ...

Package materials come in various types, including metal, non-metal, glossy and non-glossy options. They can be single-layered, complex, or co-extruded. Thickness is an important factor affecting both cost and productivity. Thinner materials are generally less expensive and allow for faster production. Thickness testing is essential for quality control. Several types of thickness testers are available, including laser, capacitive, eddy current, and mechanical testers. Each has limitations. Non-contact testers may not work for all materials, while mechanical testers can be used for a wider range of materials. Mechanical thickness testers use a precision sensor to measure the displacement of a presser foot contacting the material. They are accurate but require a lab environment to avoid errors caused by temperature and wind. The Labthinkabthink C640 Thickness Tester  is a high-resolution mechanical thickness tester. There are two main challenges in designing mechanical thickness test...

Hot tack testing plays an important role in selecting optimal hot sealing parameters for Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) lines. Hot tack refers to the initial seal strength of packaging materials immediately after heat sealing, before they cool down. It is crucial for FFS lines where product filling follows hot sealing with minimal cooling time. FFS lines are widely used in packaging industries for products like food, medicine, and cosmetics. In these lines, packages are formed and filled simultaneously. Since the filling process creates an impact on the package bottom, sufficient hot tack strength is essential to prevent breakage and ensure filling efficiency. While ultimate seal strength, measured after cooling, is a valuable quality metric, it's not applicable in FFS due to the short time frame. A case study is presented hereunder, Labthink C632B Hot Tack Tester was used to evaluate two film materials (A and B) for an East Asian food producer. Both films had similar performance parameters...

There are two main causes of flexible package breakage, breakage during filling process due to impact on the bottom of the pouch caused by product filling, and breakage during storage due to inner pressure increase from stacking finished products. Many tests can measure the heat seal strength of finished packages and prevent the breakage during transportation and storage. Tensile test: This test measures the stretching heat seal strength, which is unsuitable for storage pressure but useful for evaluating opening ease of the package. Labthink C610H Auto Tensile Tester is professionally applicable to measurement of tensile, peeling, deformation, tearing, heat sealing, adhesive, puncture force, opening force, pulling force and low speed unwrapping force as well as other properties of plastic films, composite materials, soft package materials, plastic flexible tube, adhesives, adhesive tapes, label stickers, medical plasters, release paper, protective films, combined caps, aluminum foils...