Barrier Tests for Encapsulation Films in Electronics

In the electronics industry, encapsulation films serve as critical barriers, protecting sensitive components like semiconductors, OLED displays, and battery systems from environmental threats such as moisture and oxygen. These films, typically made from materials like epoxy, silicone, or parylene, are essential for ensuring device longevity and performance, particularly in consumer products like smartphones and industrial equipment.

Testing these films involves a series of rigorous evaluations to confirm their protective capabilities. Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) testing measures moisture permeability, often targeting values below 0.1 grams per square meter per day for high-performance applications. This process uses humidity differentials to assess how effectively a film prevents corrosion in circuits. Similarly, oxygen transmission rate (OTR) testing evaluates oxygen penetration, with goals often set under 1 cubic centimeter per square meter per day to safeguard against oxidation. Beyond transmission tests, environmental stress assessments—exposing films to conditions like 85°C and 85% relative humidity—verify durability over time. Additional evaluations, such as dielectric strength and adhesion tests, ensure the films maintain insulation and bonding under operational stress.

These tests adhere to established standards to guarantee reliability across the industry. ASTM E96 governs WVTR assessments, providing a consistent framework for moisture barrier performance, while ASTM D3985 sets the benchmark for OTR measurements. Environmental durability aligns with IEC 60068-2-78, simulating real-world conditions, and IPC-TM-650 outlines electronics-specific criteria for adhesion and electrical properties. For precision applications, ISO 15106 offers further calibration of transmission rates, ensuring films meet stringent requirements.

Labthink C403H Oxygen /Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is based on the testing principle of Coulometric oxygen sensor and infrared water vapor sensor. It is designed and manufactured according to ASTM D3985、ASTM F1249，ISO 15106-2 and other relevant standards to provide high precision and high efficiency oxygen and water vapor transmission rate tests for high and medium gas barrier materials. It is suitable for testing the oxygen and water vapor transmission performance of films, sheets and related materials in the fields of food, medicine, medical devices, daily chemicals, photovoltaic, electronic and many others.

The importance of encapsulation films cannot be overstated in electronics manufacturing. A failure in barrier performance could lead to device malfunctions, from screen degradation in OLEDs to short-circuits in microchips. By adhering to these testing protocols and standards, manufacturers uphold quality and reliability, meeting the demands of an increasingly sophisticated market. As technology advances, these films and their evaluation methods will continue to evolve, reinforcing their role in protecting the heart of modern electronics.