Moisture Barrier Testing for Pharmaceutical Packaging

Protecting pharmaceuticals from moisture is paramount to maintaining their efficacy and extending their shelf life. Aluminum plastic composite film (APCF) has become a popular choice for drug packaging due to its superior barrier properties against moisture and oxygen. This composite material, typically consisting of layers of plastic bonded to a central aluminum layer, offers excellent protection. However, the journey from manufacturing to patient can subject this film to various stresses that can compromise its protective capabilities. This article explores why testing the moisture barrier property of APCF film is essential for ensuring drug safety and efficacy.

The aluminum layer within APCF acts as the primary defense against moisture vapor transmission (MVTR). Unfortunately, the rigors of forming, filling, sealing, transportation, and even handling can create tiny pinholes or weaknesses in this aluminum layer. These microscopic imperfections can allow moisture to penetrate the packaging and potentially degrade the sensitive medications within. This is where the importance of moisture barrier testing comes into play.

Manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies utilize specific tests to assess the integrity of the APCF film's moisture barrier. A crucial step in this process involves simulating the stresses the packaging might encounter in real-world scenarios. This simulation often includes subjecting the film to flexing, twisting, and other mechanical motions that mimic the handling and transportation process. By replicating these stresses, manufacturers can identify potential vulnerabilities in the film's structure.

Labthink C681M Flex Durability Tester is professionally applicable to the determination of flex durability of flexible films, composite films and coating films. The instrument can simulate the kneading and creasing behaviors of films happened during production, processing and transportation. The flex durability can be obtained by measuring the changes in number of pinholes or barrier properties after test, which can provide quantitative basis for package design and practical usage.

Following this stress simulation, the critical measurement of water vapor permeability (WVP) is performed. This test determines the rate at which moisture vapor can pass through the film. A low WVP indicates a strong moisture barrier, essential for protecting the drugs inside. By measuring the WVP after simulating real-world stresses, manufacturers gain a comprehensive understanding of the film's performance under challenging conditions.

Labthink C406H 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.

In conclusion, moisture barrier testing is an indispensable part of ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical packaging. By simulating real-world stresses and meticulously measuring WVP, manufacturers can confidently select and utilize APCF film that effectively protects medications from moisture, preserving their efficacy and extending their shelf life. This commitment to rigorous testing ultimately safeguards patient health and reinforces trust in the quality of the medications they rely on.

As the demand for functional packaging materials grows, testing methods are evolving to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of packaging films. Labthink encourages collaboration with packaging industry companies for quality control! Visit the website www.labthink.com to learn more!