Labthink C360H Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C360H |
| Principle | Gravimetric (ASTM E96, GB/T 1037, GB/T 16928) |
| Test Modes | Gain & Loss Methods |
| Test Stations | 12 |
| Temperature Range | 20–55 °C ±0.2 °C |
| Humidity Range | 10–90 %RH ±1 %RH |
| Max WVTR (Loss) | 10,000/n g/(m²·day) |
| Max WVTR (Gain) | 1,200 g/(m²·day) |
| Sample Diameter | Φ74 mm |
| Sample Thickness | ≤3 mm |
| Test Area | 33 cm² |
| Carrier Gas | Compressed Air (≥0.6 MPa) |
| Drying System | Core-free Long-life Desiccant Module |
| Humidification | Fog-free Internal Humidifier |
| Data Compliance | Optional 21 CFR Part 11 & GMP Audit Trail |
| Software | DataShield™ Secure Data Management Platform |
Overview
The Labthink C360H Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is a high-precision, multi-station instrument engineered for quantitative determination of water vapor permeation through packaging and barrier materials. It operates on the gravimetric principle—measuring mass change over time in sealed test cups containing either desiccant (loss method) or water (gain method)—in strict accordance with international standards including ASTM E96, ASTM D1653, ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, GB/T 16928, TAPPI T464, DIN 53122-1, and YBB00092003-2015. Designed for laboratories requiring regulatory-grade reproducibility and operational scalability, the C360H delivers stable, traceable, and statistically robust WVTR data across low-, medium-, and high-barrier materials—from ultra-high阻隔 polymer films (e.g., SiOx-coated PET, AlOx laminates) to porous substrates such as paperboard, nonwovens, and medical-grade breathable fabrics.
Key Features
- 12-Station Parallel Testing Architecture: Enables concurrent evaluation of up to twelve specimens under identical environmental conditions, significantly improving throughput while maintaining inter-test comparability and minimizing operator-induced variability.
- Dual-Mode Gravimetric Operation: Supports both gain and loss methodologies within a single platform—eliminating need for separate instruments and ensuring method flexibility for diverse material classes and regulatory submission requirements.
- Patented Thermal & Fluid-Dynamic Chamber Design: Incorporates three-dimensional spatial temperature uniformity control (<±0.2 °C), real-time air velocity sensing and closed-loop fan speed regulation, and fog-free humidity generation (<±1 %RH)—all critical for long-duration tests (up to 30 days) without drift or condensation artifacts.
- Maintenance-Free Conditioning Systems: Features a core-free desiccant module rated for >20,000 hours of continuous operation and an integrated, self-regulating humidifier that eliminates mist formation—reducing calibration frequency and eliminating consumable replacement downtime.
- Embedded Industrial Control Platform: Powered by a high-performance processor running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, with a 12-inch capacitive touch interface optimized for glove-compatible operation in cleanroom and QC environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C360H accommodates rigid and flexible planar specimens up to 3 mm thick and 74 mm in diameter, covering standard test area of 33 cm² per station. It is validated for use with polymers (PE, PP, PET, PVDC, EVOH), metallized films, coated papers, aluminum foils, medical device pouches, blister lidding, pharmaceutical blister cards, and hygiene product nonwovens. All hardware and firmware configurations comply with GLP/GMP documentation requirements. Optional 21 CFR Part 11-compliant software packages provide electronic signatures, role-based access control, full audit trail logging, and immutable data archiving—supporting FDA, EMA, and NMPA submissions. Calibration traceability is maintained to NIST-traceable mass and environmental standards.
Software & Data Management
DataShield™ is Labthink’s proprietary secure data management system, embedded natively in the C360H. It supports automated raw-data capture, real-time curve visualization, statistical process control (SPC) charting, and batch-level reporting. Data export formats include CSV, PDF, XML, and Excel-compatible XLSX—compatible with LIMS, MES, and ERP integration via standard TCP/IP or OPC UA protocols. The system enforces AES-256 encryption at rest and in transit, implements configurable retention policies, and logs all user actions—including parameter changes, test initiation/termination, and report generation—with timestamps and operator IDs. Optional GMP mode adds electronic signature workflows and pre-defined test templates aligned with USP , ISO 11607, and ISTA 3A validation protocols.
Applications
- Quality control of primary and secondary packaging for sterile pharmaceuticals, biologics, and combination products.
- Barrier performance validation of food packaging films subjected to modified atmosphere (MAP) or vacuum sealing.
- Regulatory stability testing per ICH Q1/Q5 guidelines for moisture-sensitive dosage forms (e.g., lyophilized powders, hygroscopic tablets).
- R&D screening of novel barrier coatings, nanocomposite films, and bio-based packaging alternatives.
- Compliance verification for medical device packaging per ISO 11607-1/-2 and AAMI ST77.
- Environmental aging studies assessing WVTR shift after thermal, UV, or cyclic humidity exposure.
FAQ
What standards does the C360H support for WVTR testing?
The instrument is fully compliant with ASTM E96 (Procedure A/B), ASTM D1653, ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, GB/T 16928, TAPPI T464, DIN 53122-1, and YBB00092003-2015.
Can the C360H test both high- and low-barrier materials accurately?
Yes—the system employs adaptive environmental feedback control and high-resolution microbalance technology (0.01 mg resolution) to maintain measurement integrity across WVTR ranges from 10,000 g/(m²·day), depending on test mode and specimen count.
Is the DataShield™ system validated for regulated industries?
Yes—when configured with 21 CFR Part 11 and GMP options, DataShield™ provides full audit trail, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls required for FDA, EMA, and PMDA audits.
What carrier gas is required, and what are the pressure specifications?
Compressed air is used as the carrier gas; minimum supply pressure is 0.6 MPa, delivered via standard Φ6 mm polyurethane tubing.
Does the system require periodic recalibration of environmental sensors?
Temperature and humidity sensors are factory-calibrated and verified annually using NIST-traceable reference instruments; no user-performed recalibration is needed under normal operating conditions.
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