Latest News
e-Newsletter December 2012
Posted on 03/12/2012
by Phil Neal
RDM launch New Website
New On-Line Seal Inspection System detects compromised seals at up to 150 seals per minute
Permeation and its impact on Packaging - White Paper
Water Vapour Permeation Testing of Ultra Barriers - White Paper
Industry News
Water Vapour Permeation Testing of Ultra Barriers
Posted on 26/10/2012
by Phil Neal
ABSTRACT
Advancements in barrier quality of certain materials have pushed the sensitivity limits of commercially available water vapor permeation equipment. In order for products such as OLED’s which incorporate these high barrier materials, to be viable, current permeation testing methods must be enhanced or altered. In designing a more sensitive method, the limitations of the current methods were first studied. From there, enhancements and modifications to the traditional comparative or concentration sensor produced an order of magnitude increase in sensitivity (from 5x10^(-3) to 5x10^(-4) g/(m^2xday.) Permeation results illustrating the new system will be presented as the highlight of the paper. Limitations found in the current methods, alterations made to a traditional system and insight into future modifications that will increase the sensitivity even further will also be included. Learn More...
Permeation and its impact on Packaging
Posted on 26/10/2012
by Phil Neal
Shelf life is the length of time that foods, beverages, pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption. Permeation greatly influences the shelf life of these products as the loss or gain of oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide and odors and aromas can rob the product of flavor, color, texture, taste, and nutrition. Oxygen, for example, causes adverse reactions in many foods such as potato chips. By measuring the rate at which O2permeates through the package material, one can begin to determine the shelf-life or amount of time the unopened package will still provide ‘good’ chips.
Permeation measurements are crucial to targeting a package’s sweet spot. This sweet spot is defined as the intersection between effective marketing, product protection and cost. When all three areas combine, a functional, cost-effective package that meets its shelf life requirements is developed.However, the product protection segment is often overlooked and can have a significant impact on the other segments, especially the cost. Learn More...