MOCON OX-TRAN® 2/28 H High-Throughput Oxygen Transmission Rate Analyzer

Overview

The MOCON OX-TRAN® 2/28 H is a high-throughput, coulometric oxygen transmission rate (OTR) analyzer engineered for precision, reproducibility, and laboratory efficiency in barrier property evaluation of flexible packaging, pharmaceutical blister foils, medical device pouches, and high-performance polymer films. It operates on the principle of coulometric detection—measuring oxygen permeating through a test specimen via electrochemical reduction at a gold cathode within a sealed sensor cell. This absolute measurement method eliminates reliance on calibration standards or reference gases, ensuring long-term measurement integrity and traceability. Unlike parametric sensors requiring frequent recalibration, the patented Coulox® sensor delivers inherently stable, zero-drift output across its full dynamic range (0.05–200 cm³/(m²·day)), making it suitable for both ultra-high-barrier materials (e.g., AlOx-coated PET, SiOx-laminates) and moderate-barrier substrates (e.g., PE, PP, EVOH blends) without mode switching or hardware reconfiguration.

Key Features

• Four independent horizontal dual-membrane test chambers enable concurrent analysis of up to four specimens—doubling throughput versus conventional single- or dual-chamber OTR systems.
• Modular, tool-free chamber assembly allows rapid disassembly for cleaning, maintenance, and sample loading—reducing operator intervention time and minimizing cross-contamination risk.
• TruSeal™ nitrogen purge ring technology establishes an inert annular environment around the specimen perimeter, eliminating edge diffusion artifacts and removing the need for absolute zero-point verification during low-level OTR testing.
• Automated temperature and mass flow control maintains setpoint stability within ±0.1 °C and ±0.5% flow accuracy, directly contributing to inter-laboratory reproducibility required under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation protocols.
• Real-time graphical interface displays OTR trend curves, cumulative transmission values, and pass/fail status against user-defined specification limits—enabling immediate QC decision-making without post-processing.
• One-touch method execution supports pre-programmed test protocols—including preconditioning hold, equilibration delay, and endpoint criteria—ensuring procedural consistency across shifts and operators.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OX-TRAN® 2/28 H accommodates flat, rigid, or semi-rigid specimens up to 100 mm × 100 mm with thicknesses ranging from 12 µm to 2 mm. It accepts standard circular die-cut samples (typically 74 mm diameter) mounted in reusable aluminum test cells. No humidification is required for dry-film testing, simplifying setup and avoiding condensation-related measurement drift. The system complies with ASTM D3985 (standard test method for oxygen gas transmission rate through plastic film and sheeting using a coulometric sensor), ISO 15105-2 (plastics—film and sheeting—determination of gas transmission rate—part 2: coulometric method), and supports GLP/GMP workflows when configured with optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant software featuring electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access control.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are managed via MOCON’s proprietary BarrierView™ software, available in both desktop (Windows-based) and optional integrated touchscreen configurations. BarrierView™ provides real-time visualization of sensor current, chamber pressure differentials, temperature profiles, and calculated OTR values updated every 10 seconds. All raw sensor data, method parameters, environmental logs, and operator annotations are stored in a secure, timestamped database compliant with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available). Export options include CSV, PDF reports, and XML for LIMS integration. Optional validation packages include IQ/OQ documentation templates aligned with pharmaceutical and medical device quality systems.

Applications

This instrument serves critical quality assurance functions across regulated and industrial sectors: validation of sterile barrier systems per ISO 11607; shelf-life modeling for pharmaceutical blister packs and sachets; comparative evaluation of barrier coatings (SiO_x, AlO_x, DLC) on PET and PP substrates; R&D screening of nanocomposite films; and routine QC release testing for food packaging laminates. Its robustness and low detection limit make it equally suited for evaluating emerging ultra-barrier materials used in flexible OLED encapsulation and lithium-ion battery pouches.

FAQ

Does the OX-TRAN® 2/28 H require daily calibration?
No—the Coulox® coulometric sensor is an absolute measurement device and does not require calibration against certified reference films or gases.
Can the system test samples with surface coatings or metallization?
Yes, provided the coating is continuous and non-porous; the TruSeal™ design mitigates edge leakage that commonly affects coated or laminated structures.
Is humidity control available as an option?
Humidification is not integrated into the 2/28 H platform; for moisture-dependent barrier testing (e.g., hydrophilic polymers), MOCON recommends the OX-TRAN® 2/61 or PERMATRAN-W® series.
What is the typical turnaround time for a single test at 0.1 cm³/(m²·day)?
Under standard conditions (23 °C, 0% RH), equilibrium is typically achieved within 6–8 hours due to rapid sensor response and stable chamber dynamics.
How is data integrity ensured during multi-shift operation?
BarrierView™ software with 21 CFR Part 11 add-on enforces electronic signatures, immutable audit logs, and automatic backup—meeting FDA and EU Annex 11 requirements for computerized systems.