Methods / WVTR

Water vapor transmission rate

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) testing determines how well a material holds moisture, also called the barrier effect. WVTR is an important parameter in the product development of materials that must withstand different moisture levels at varying temperatures, such as food packaging, construction materials, cosmetics, and medical equipment.

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Some of our WVTR testing services

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of plastic films and sheeting

ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2
Determination of the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) according to the ASTM F1249 standard. WVTR describes the amount of water vapor that passes through a material over a set period. It is an important quality indicator in food and cosmetics packaging, as an effective moisture barrier is critical to keeping products fresh and preventing spoilage. In this WVTR test, two samples per material are measured simultaneously to ensure the reliability of the measurement. The results are expressed as g/m2/day. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 18 to 40°C) and the desired relative humidity (from 20% to 100%) when placing the order. This measurement is applicable for plastic films and sheeting materials with WVTR values between 0.005 and 2400 g/m2/day. If you wish to test finished packaging instead, check out the WVTR measurement for packages.
420 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packages

This test is designed to measure the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packages, such as cups, bottles, trays, and containers. The analysis includes three replica measurements. This test is not suitable for films or sheet-like materials. Please see the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of films and sheeting instead. Upon ordering, please specify the sample dimensions and desired testing conditions. The chosen temperature can be between 15 and 55°C and the relative humidity between 20 and 100% RH.
712 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of paper and board

ASTM F1249
Determination of the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) according to the ASTM F1249 standard. WVTR describes the amount of water vapor that passes through a material over a set period. It is an important quality indicator in food and cosmetics packaging, as an effective moisture barrier is critical to keeping products fresh and preventing them from spoiling. In this WVTR test, three samples per material are analyzed to ensure the reliability of the measurement. The results are expressed as g/m2/day. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 15 to 55°C) and the desired relative humidity (from 35% to 90%) when placing the order. This measurement is applicable for paper and cardboard materials with WVTR values between 0.001 and 1000 g/m2/day.
492 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of ultra-high barrier films and sheetings

Determination of the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of ultra-high barrier materials. The method can also be used to test moderate barrier materials at high-temperature conditions. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 10 to 85 °C) and the desired relative humidity (from 60% to 100%) when placing the order. This measurement is applicable for films and sheeting materials with WVTR values between 1x10-6 and 10 g/m2/day. If you wish to test finished packaging instead, check out the WVTR measurement for packages. The price of the test consists of a flat rate cost per sample plus one day measurement time. Please contact our experts for an offer.
570 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of films and sheetings with the gravimetric dish method

DIN 53122-1
The gravimetric dish method can be used to determine the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of materials that have a high water vapor permeability. This method is intended for plastic films or sheeting materials with a water transmission rate of over 1 g/m2/day. The maximum sample thickness is 3 mm. In the test, a water-absorbent material is placed in a metal cup that is covered by the studied material, which is sealed to the cup with wax. The test sample is placed in a conditioned cabinet and its mass is measured. From this, the WVTR value can be calculated. The method is not applicable for materials that are damaged by hot wax or shrink under the used test conditions.
241 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of textiles

ASTM E96
Water vapor transmission rate testing can be used to evaluate the breathability of textiles. This test, performed according to ASTM E96, measures the amount of water vapor that passes through the fabric in a controlled environment. The standard conditions are 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. The result will be reported in g/m2/day. For a more comprehensive evaluation of technical textiles' barrier properties, this test can be combined with the ISO 811 resistance to water penetration test and the ISO 9237 air permeability measurement. Do not hesitate to ask our experts for an offer for the full set of analyses.
253 €
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EN 12086: Water vapor transmission properties of thermal insulation products

EN ISO 12572, EN 12086, EN 13813
European standard EN 12086 specifies a testing procedure to determine the water vapor transmission rate, permeance, and permeability of construction products, particularly those used in thermal insulation applications. Testing according to EN 12086 is typically required to show that several categories of building products meet the applicable harmonized technical specifications, making them eligible for the CE marking. Examples of products that may require testing include: Screed materials (EN 13813), Factory-made thermal insulation products, including mineral wool (EN 13162), expanded polystyrene (EN 13163), extruded polystyrene foam (EN 13164), rigid polyurethane foam (EN 13165), phenolic foam (EN 13166), cellular glass (EN 13167), wood wool (EN 13168), and wood fiber (EN 13171). . The higher displayed price applies to the first sample, while the lower price applies to subsequent samples delivered in the same sample set. Do not hesitate to ask for a custom offer for large testing projects.
315–690 €
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What is the water vapor transmission rate?

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) represents the amount of water vapor that passes through a material or substance over a set period of time. Data received through a WVTR analysis is often presented in g/m2 per day (how much water in weight passes through a one square meter area in 24 hours). 

What is WVTR testing used for?

The water vapor transmission rate is an important variable in materials that are used in wet environments. In food contact materials, an effective moisture barrier is critical to keep the product fresh and prevent it from gathering mold and mildew. Another important variable in food packaging testing is the oxygen transmission rate, which measures the material's barrier effect against oxygen.

A moisture barrier is crucial in the opposite case as well: when packing liquids, it is important to ensure the product will not leak through the material and thus get exposed to outer threats. In addition to food, this also applies to products like cosmetics and their packaging solutions.

In construction material applications, WVTR and moisture barriers are essential factors in wet rooms and outdoor solutions. For the same reason as in food packaging, keeping moisture out is vital for maintaining the quality of buildings and building materials.

How is the water vapor transmission rate measured?

Different materials require different measurement techniques to get the most accurate WVTR results. Materials with weak barriers (that let through a lot of moisture) can be measured with a gravimetric technique, while materials with good barriers (that don't let through a lot of moisture) should be analyzed with humidity sensors or infrared sensors.

It is also important to make the testing conditions similar to the environment where the material will be used. This includes tuning the measurement temperature and carrier gas to simulate the intended real-world conditions. Measurlabs' experts always ensure that the measurements are done in the correct conditions so that your test results correspond to the real usage environment of your materials.

WVTR diagram
In WVTR testing, the flow of water vapor through the sample is measured in carefully controlled conditions.

Need a WVTR analysis?

Measurlabs offers high-quality WVTR, OTR, and other barrier testing services. If required, our skilled experts will also assist in choosing the appropriate testing conditions to ensure the analysis gives you useful insights. Contact us through the form below to request a quote for your specific need and number of samples - we can offer good pricing especially for large sample batches and frequent orders!

Suitable sample matrices

  • Coatings, such as wax, cellulose, polymers
  • Foils
  • Plastic films
  • Fabrics

Typical target materials for WVTR analysis

  • Food contact materials
  • Packaging materials
  • Construction materials
  • Textiles

Ask for an offer

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Answering the following questions helps us prepare an offer for you faster:

  • How many samples do you have, and what is the sample material?

  • What are the desired testing conditions (temperature, relative humidity)?

  • Do you have a recurring need for these tests? If yes, how often and for how many samples at a time?

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.

Frequently asked questions

What is WVTR commonly used for?

WVTR is commonly used for food contact materials, construction materials and packaging materials, in addition to any other kind of materials that are exposed to moisture or water.

What are the limitations of WVTR?

WVTR measurement is carried out at a chosen temperature and moisture. The conditions must be chosen to represent the intended use. The measured surface needs to be free from scratches and other defects, as they allow the gases to pass through. The surfaces need to be smooth so that an effective sealing can be achieved.

What kind of samples can be analyzed with WVTR?

WVTR is suitable for different coatings, such as wax, cellulose and polymers, foils, plastic films, and fabrics. Anything from sausage casing to technical sportswear, and more.

What is Measurlabs?

Measurlabs offers a variety of laboratory analyses for product developers and quality managers. We perform some of the analyses in our own lab, but mostly we outsource them to carefully selected partner laboratories. This way we can send each sample to the lab that is best suited for the purpose, and offer high-quality analyses with more than a thousand different methods to our clients.

How does the service work?

When you contact us through our contact form or by email, one of our specialists will take ownership of your case and answer your query. You get an offer with all the necessary details about the analysis, and can send your samples to the indicated address. We will then take care of sending your samples to the correct laboratories and write a clear report on the results for you.

How do I send my samples?

Samples are usually delivered to our laboratory via courier. Contact us for further details before sending samples.