HARKE HK-100T Gas Permeability Tester
| Brand | HARKE |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Region of Origin | Domestic (China) |
| Model | HK-100T |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The HARKE HK-100T Gas Permeability Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for quantitative measurement of gas transmission rates (GTR) through planar materials under controlled pressure differentials. It operates on the principle of differential pressure (manometric) method—compliant with ISO 2556, ASTM D1434, and GB/T 1038—where a standardized test specimen is sealed between two isolated chambers. The low-pressure chamber (downstream side) is evacuated to a defined vacuum baseline, while the high-pressure chamber (upstream side) is pressurized with the test gas (e.g., O₂, CO₂, N₂, He, or air). A stable transmembrane partial pressure gradient is established and maintained, driving molecular diffusion across the sample. Real-time monitoring of pressure rise in the low-pressure chamber—via high-stability capacitance manometers—enables calculation of gas permeability (cm³·µm/m²·day·kPa), permeance (cm³/m²·day·kPa), and transmission rate (cm³/m²·day) with traceable uncertainty management.
Key Features
- Modular dual-chamber architecture with pneumatically actuated clamping for repeatable sample sealing and minimal edge leakage
- Integrated high-accuracy vacuum system featuring oil-free diaphragm pump and secondary turbo-molecular stage for sub-1 Pa base pressure
- Programmable upstream pressure control (10–101.3 kPa absolute) with digital pressure regulators ensuring ±0.1% stability over extended test durations
- Dual-sensor manifold with redundant capacitance manometers (0–100 Pa range, 0.01 Pa resolution) for low-pressure chamber monitoring
- Temperature-controlled test zone (ambient to 50 °C, ±0.2 °C uniformity) with optional external chiller interface for thermally sensitive polymers
- Gas-specific calibration protocols preloaded for O₂, CO₂, N₂, He, and air; user-definable gas constants for custom mixtures
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HK-100T accommodates rigid and flexible sheet specimens up to 100 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness. Validated applications include plastic films (BOPP, PET, PE, PVDC), metallized laminates (AlOx, SiOx, Al foil composites), biodegradable matrices (PLA, PHA, starch-based films), elastomeric sheets (EPDM, silicone, nitrile rubber), fiber-reinforced substrates (PTFE-coated fiberglass, silicone-impregnated paper), and coated substrates (paint films on metal or polymer, lacquered board). All test configurations comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements, supporting full audit trails, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data archiving when paired with HARKE LabSuite v4.2 software. Test reports meet ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards for accredited laboratories.
Software & Data Management
HARKE LabSuite v4.2 provides full instrument control, real-time curve visualization, and automated permeability computation per ISO 2556 Annex A. The software implements linear regression analysis on steady-state pressure rise segments, excludes transient diffusion artifacts, and applies Fickian correction factors where appropriate. Raw sensor logs (timestamped at 1 Hz), calibration certificates, operator metadata, and environmental logs (temperature, humidity) are embedded into encrypted .hklb binary files. Export options include CSV (for LIMS integration), PDF test reports with digital signature fields, and XML formats compatible with enterprise quality management systems (QMS). Audit trail functionality records all parameter modifications, test starts/stops, and user logins with immutable timestamps.
Applications
- Barrier validation of pharmaceutical blister packaging against moisture and oxygen ingress (aligned with USP and ICH Q5C)
- Quality control of food packaging films—especially for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) requiring precise CO₂/N₂/O₂ selectivity ratios
- Development screening of aerospace-grade inflatable structures (e.g., helium retention in balloon envelopes or airbag fabrics)
- Regulatory testing of compostable packaging per EN 13432, including O₂ transmission rate (OTR) correlation with disintegration kinetics
- Material qualification for medical device pouches (ISO 11607-1), particularly for sterilization barrier integrity under ethylene oxide or steam exposure
- Characterization of protective coatings on battery separators, fuel cell membranes, and encapsulation layers for OLED displays
FAQ
What gases can be tested with the HK-100T?
The system supports O₂, CO₂, N₂, He, air, and other non-corrosive gases. Optional gas handling modules enable safe operation with flammable mixtures (e.g., H₂/air blends) when configured with explosion-proof solenoids and leak-integrated purge cycles.
Is temperature control mandatory for standard testing?
No—ambient-temperature testing is default per ISO 2556. However, temperature regulation is required for comparative studies, Arrhenius modeling, or materials exhibiting strong thermal dependence (e.g., amorphous PET above Tg).
How is leakage verified before each test cycle?
An automated blank run executes prior to sample loading: both chambers are evacuated and isolated, then monitored for 30 minutes. Any pressure rise exceeding 0.5 Pa/h triggers an alert and aborts the sequence.
Can the HK-100T measure water vapor transmission (WVTR)?
No—this model is optimized for permanent gases. For water vapor, HARKE offers the separate HK-300W gravimetric cup tester compliant with ASTM E96 and ISO 15106.
What sample preparation standards apply?
Specimens must be free of pinholes, folds, or surface contaminants. Conditioning per ISO 291 (23 °C / 50% RH, ≥48 h) is recommended unless material-specific protocols dictate otherwise.
