Ida Tarko

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.

In TGA, the sample is heated at a controlled rate or kept at a controlled temperature while its mass is weighed with an extremely precise scale. The analysis provides information about phase transitions, absorption, adsorption, desorption, chemisorption, thermal decomposition, and solid-gas reactions. It can also be used as a material characterization and compositional analysis method. As a result of the measurement, you will get the change in mass as a function of temperature and time. A simultaneous thermal analysis (TGA + DSC) can be performed upon request. The heating cycle can be tailored to your sample, with temperature ranges from 25 °C to 1100 °C and various options for the surrounding gas atmosphere (air, O₂, and N₂). Please disclose the aim of the measurement and the desired temperature program and atmosphere(s) upon requesting a quote.

Determination of the oxygen transmission rate of plastic films and sheet-like materials. The test is performed on two parallel samples simultaneously. Measurement conditions (temperature and relative humidity) can be chosen according to the intended use of the material. Oxygen permeability is typically measured at 23 °C and 0% relative humidity as per standard ASTM D3985. In moist conditions, for example at 38 °C and 90% relative humidity, standard ASTM F1927 is used. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 10 °C to 38 °C) and relative humidity (either 0% or from 20% to 90%) upon ordering. This measurement is suitable for plastic films with OTR values between 0.05 to 20 000 cm³/(m² * day).

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to determine transition temperatures and enthalpy changes of solid and liquid samples under controlled temperature changes. The analysis can be used to determine the melting, crystallization, and glass transition temperatures and their enthalpies, the material's amorphic and crystalline behavior, hardening and specific heat, material compatibility, and the effect of additives. The temperature range for the measurement is -170 °C to 600 °C, available atmospheres are N₂ and O₂. Please disclose the desired temperature program upon ordering: heating rate(s) (K/min), isotherms, and temperature ranges (min/max). If you have any doubts about these parameters, we are more than happy to help.