MOCON OX-TRAN® Model 2/22 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Analyzer
| Brand | MOCON |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | OX-TRAN® Model 2/22 |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM D3985, ASTM F1927, ASTM F1307, ISO 15105-2, GB/T 19789-2005, GB/T 31354-2014, YBB00082003-2015 |
| Test Range (Film) | 0.0005–200 cm³/(m²·day) |
| Resolution | 0.0002 cm³/(m²·day) |
| Temperature Control | 10–40 °C (±0.2 °C) |
| Humidity Control | 0–90% RH (dual-side independent) |
| Test Chamber | Dual 50 cm² chambers (standard), optional 5.64 cm² |
| Sample Format | Flat films (10.8 × 10.8 cm) or packages (≤3 L) |
| Sensor | Coulometric (Coulox®), NIST-traceable, zero-calibration required |
| Automation | Fully automated gas flow, pressure, temperature, and humidity control |
| Sealing Technology | TruSeal™ nitrogen curtain sealing |
| Interface | Integrated touchscreen, USB, Ethernet, remote operation via PermNet® Lite |
Overview
The MOCON OX-TRAN® Model 2/22 is a high-precision, fully automated oxygen transmission rate (OTR) analyzer engineered for quantitative barrier performance evaluation of flexible packaging, polymer films, laminates, pharmaceutical blister foils, medical device pouches, and rigid containers. It operates on the principle of coulometric detection—measuring oxygen permeation through a sample membrane via electrochemical reduction of O₂ at a gold cathode, in strict accordance with Faraday’s law. This absolute measurement method eliminates the need for sensor calibration and ensures long-term stability and traceability to NIST standards. Designed for laboratories requiring regulatory compliance, routine QC, and R&D validation, the Model 2/22 delivers reproducible OTR data across an extended dynamic range—from ultra-high-barrier materials (down to 0.0005 cm³/(m²·day)) to highly permeable substrates—under precisely controlled temperature (10–40 °C, ±0.2 °C) and relative humidity (0–90% RH, independently regulated on both test sides). Its dual-chamber architecture enables parallel testing or comparative analysis, while TruSeal™ nitrogen curtain technology actively suppresses ambient oxygen ingress at the chamber periphery, directly enhancing measurement fidelity at low-permeation extremes.
Key Features
- Fully automated environmental control: Independent, closed-loop regulation of temperature, RH, carrier gas (N₂) pressure/flow, and test gas (O₂) partial pressure
- Coulox® coulometric sensor: Absolute, calibration-free oxygen detection with >40 years of field-proven reliability; integrated overpressure protection and extended service life
- TruSeal™ chamber sealing: Continuous nitrogen purge along the sample clamp interface to eliminate edge-leak interference—critical for sub-0.001 cm³/(m²·day) measurements
- Dual operational modes: Auto-Optimized mode (intelligent parameter selection based on initial permeation kinetics) and Advanced mode (full manual configuration of dwell time, stabilization criteria, and gas switching sequences)
- Horizontal sample chamber with pneumatic clamping: Ensures uniform stress distribution and repeatable seal integrity across 10.8 × 10.8 cm film specimens
- Integrated computing platform: Embedded industrial PC with capacitive touchscreen UI; supports local operation, remote monitoring, and audit-ready data logging
- Energy- and gas-efficient design: No cryogenic coolants or recirculating chillers required; intelligent gas-sparing algorithms reduce N₂ consumption by up to 35% versus prior-generation systems
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Model 2/22 accommodates flat films, coated papers, metallized laminates, and rigid or semi-rigid packages (up to 3 L volume) using optional package test modules. Film testing employs standard 50 cm² test areas (with 5.64 cm² mini-chambers available for ultra-high-flux screening). All configurations comply with global regulatory test standards—including ASTM D3985 (electrochemical sensor method), ASTM F1927 (package-level OTR), ASTM F1307 (dry package testing), ISO 15105-2, and Chinese pharmacopeial standards YBB00082003-2015 and GB/T 31354-2014. Data acquisition meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used with PermNet® Lite software, supporting electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access control for GLP/GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
PermNet® Lite software provides full instrument control, real-time permeation curve visualization, and automated report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation practices. Raw sensor output, environmental logs, and event timestamps are stored in encrypted binary format with SHA-256 hash integrity verification. Export options include CSV, PDF, and XML for LIMS integration. Remote diagnostics enable MOCON-certified engineers to perform firmware updates, sensor health assessments, and troubleshooting without on-site visits—minimizing instrument downtime. Built-in calendar scheduling supports unattended overnight runs, while automatic pass/fail flagging accelerates release testing in production QA workflows.
Applications
This system is deployed across food packaging R&D (e.g., evaluating ethylene scavenger efficacy or modified atmosphere packaging integrity), pharmaceutical primary packaging qualification (blister foil, cold-form foil, sachets), medical device sterilization barrier validation (Tyvek®-based pouches), and polymer development labs assessing nanocomposite barrier enhancement. Its sensitivity supports accelerated aging correlation studies, shelf-life modeling, and failure mode analysis of delamination or pinhole defects. Regulatory submissions for FDA 510(k), EU MDR Annex I, and PMDA dossier packages routinely reference OX-TRAN®-generated OTR data due to its alignment with compendial methods and documented metrological traceability.
FAQ
Does the OX-TRAN® Model 2/22 require periodic sensor calibration?
No. The Coulox® coulometric sensor is an absolute measurement device governed by Faraday’s law; it requires no calibration, only annual verification against NIST-traceable reference standards.
Can the instrument test both flat films and filled packages in the same session?
Yes—using the optional package test module, users can switch between film and package modes without hardware reconfiguration; the system auto-detects chamber type and adjusts gas flow algorithms accordingly.
What humidity control precision is achieved during dual-side RH profiling?
The system maintains ±1% RH setpoint accuracy across 0–90% RH, with independent PID control loops for upstream and downstream chambers—enabling asymmetric humidity gradients critical for simulating real-world storage conditions.
How does TruSeal™ improve measurement repeatability at ultra-low OTR levels?
By eliminating parasitic oxygen diffusion along the sample perimeter via laminar nitrogen sheathing, TruSeal™ reduces edge-effect uncertainty—raising repeatability from ±1% to ≤0.5% RSD for materials below 0.005 cm³/(m²·day).
Is remote software update capability included in the base configuration?
Yes. Ethernet connectivity and embedded web server support secure over-the-air firmware updates and diagnostic telemetry without additional licensing or hardware add-ons.
