Latest News
Important Factors in Permeation Testing
Posted on 24/01/2014
by Phil Neal
WHAT IS PERMEATION?
Graham’s Colloidal Diffusion illustrates the three-step process of permeation through a material. The first step is the sorption of the permeant into the material. Next, the permeant diffuses through the material followed by the final step where it is desorbed from the other side. This entire process is driven by a concentration difference or gradient. Molecules will permeate from the high concentration side of the material to the low concentration side. This will continue until both sides are at equal concentration levels. Learn More...MOCON UNVEILS WVTR INSTRUMENT FOR ULTRA-HIGH BARRIER FILMS WITH GREATER SENSITIVITY
Posted on 25/03/2013
by Phil Neal
MOCON, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of permeation and package integrity instrumentation, is launching a new system to measure the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of ultra-high barrier films with greater sensitivity than ever before possible.
The new generation AQUATRAN® Model 2 WVTR measurement instrument targets commercial or developmental ultra-high barrier structures for flexible films in organic light-emitting display (OLED), solar and similar demanding applications, which require accurate and extremely sensitive instrumentation tobuild performance statistics.
The AQUATRAN® Model 2 uses proprietary technology to accurately and repeatably measure WVTR down to 5 x 10 -5 g/m 2/ day. This is one order of magnitude lower than its very successful predecessor the Model 1 which was launched in 2005. The Model 2 uses propriety technology to increase sensor sensitivity and reduce the possibility of ambient humidity interfering with test results. Further, the AQUATRAN® Model 2 is the only system available for measuring trace WVTR that is not calibration dependent, providing more accurate and repeatable results than calibration dependent methods.
The AQUATRAN Model 2 utilizes MOCON’s newest AquaTrace® Gold coulometric longer-life sensor which is based on Faraday’s Law.Every water molecule entering the sensor is directly converted to a measureable charge. No calibration is necessary, assuring an accurate test result. Transient data also is quantifiable and can be viewed during or after the test. (Analysis of transient data can yield important information about an OLED structure such as detecting defects and voids in the applied coatings.)
Additional enhancements to the AQUATRAN® Model 2 include improved electronics; enhanced block and valve design, and the introduction of Tru-Seal technology which reduces seal edge leaks due to ambient humidity. The AQUATRAN® Model 2 is available in two versions.The G system operates between 35 and 90 % relative humidity (RH) and a temperature range of 10 to 40 °C. The W version offers 100 % RH and a temperature range 10 to 50 °C.
13th International MOCON Permeation Conference - April 2013
Posted on 12/12/2012
by Phil Neal
RDM Test Equipment are delighted to announce the 13th International MOCON Permeation Conference will take place on 9th April 2013, near Frankfurt, Germany. The seminar is aimed at people involved in barrier material selection, package testing, QC/QA and R&D functions. Delegates will gather from across Europe, providing networking opportunities. The full programme and reservation form is now available by clicking here.
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...