Labthink C403H Oxygen & Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C403H |
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer | Jinan Labthink Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Test Principle | Coulometric Oxygen Sensor + Infrared Moisture Sensor |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM D3985, ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2, GB/T 19789, GB/T 26253, YBB 00082003-2015, YBB 00092003-2015 |
| OTR Range | 0.01–200 cc/(m²·day) (50 cm²), 0.2–2000 cc/(m²·day) (5 cm² mask, optional), 1–10000 cc/(m²·day) (1 cm² mask, optional) |
| WVTR Range | 0.005–40 g/(m²·day) (50 cm²), 0.2–400 g/(m²·day) (5 cm² mask, optional), 1–2000 g/(m²·day) (1 cm² mask, optional) |
| OTR Resolution | 0.0001 cc/(m²·day) |
| WVTR Resolution | 0.0001 g/(m²·day) |
| OTR Repeatability | ±0.01 cc/(m²·day) or ±1%, whichever is greater |
| WVTR Repeatability | ±0.005 g/(m²·day) or ±2%, whichever is greater |
| Temperature Control | 15–50 °C (standard), 5–60 °C (customizable) |
| RH Control | 0–90 %RH ±2 %RH |
| Test Chambers | 3 independent 50 cm² chambers |
| Sample Size | 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm |
| Max Sample Thickness | 3 mm |
| Carrier Gas | ≥99.999% N₂ (for detection), ≥99.5% O₂ (for OTR test gas) |
| Power Supply | 120 VAC ±10%, 60 Hz OR 220 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz |
| Dimensions | 60 × 50 × 70 cm (W×D×H) |
| Net Weight | 100 kg |
Overview
The Labthink C403H Oxygen & Water Vapor Transmission Rate (OTR/WVTR) Tester is an integrated dual-mode permeation analysis system engineered for high-precision, regulatory-compliant barrier property evaluation of flexible packaging materials. It operates on two distinct, simultaneously deployable physical principles: coulometric oxygen detection per ASTM D3985 and infrared moisture sensing per ASTM F1249 and ISO 15106-2. Unlike sequential or single-gas instruments, the C403H enables concurrent OTR and WVTR measurement on a single specimen under identical environmental conditions—eliminating inter-instrument variability, sample rehandling artifacts, and cross-contamination risks. Its design targets laboratories requiring trace-level sensitivity (ppb-range O₂ detection), long-term sensor stability (3× extended service life vs. conventional coulometric cells), and strict adherence to pharmaceutical, food, and medical device packaging validation protocols. The system’s tri-chamber architecture supports parallel testing of three specimens at standardized 50 cm² areas, ensuring statistical robustness in compliance with ISO 17025-aligned quality systems.
Key Features
- True dual-mode operation: Select OTR-only, WVTR-only, or synchronized OTR/WVTR testing without hardware reconfiguration.
- ppb-class coulometric oxygen sensor with non-depleting electrochemical cell architecture—no periodic electrolyte replacement required; lifetime exceeds 36 months under continuous use.
- Patented non-consumable infrared moisture sensor offering sub-mg/m²/day resolution and immunity to drift from condensation or particulate fouling.
- 360° radial air circulation thermal management system delivering ±0.05 °C temperature uniformity across all three test chambers.
- Real-time, closed-loop control of temperature, relative humidity (0–90 %RH ±2 %RH), and carrier gas flow rates—fully automated during test execution.
- Three independent 50 cm² test cells conforming to ASTM, ISO, and Chinese pharmacopoeial standards (YBB 00082003-2015/YBB 00092003-2015) for replicate assessment.
- 12-inch industrial-grade Windows touch tablet with embedded Labthink industrial PC—immune to OS-level malware, supporting audit-trail logging and CFR 21 Part 11–compliant electronic signatures (optional).
- Drawer-style sample loading mechanism with motorized actuation, optical position verification, and audible/visual confirmation—reducing operator-induced sealing errors.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C403H accommodates flat, non-porous, and semi-crystalline polymeric substrates up to 3 mm thick, including monolayer films (LDPE, PP, PET), coextrusions, metallized laminates (AlOx, SiOx), foil composites, coated papers, and elastomeric sheets. It meets full regulatory alignment for GMP/GLP environments: data integrity safeguards include time-stamped audit trails, user-access tiering, electronic signature capability (CFR 21 Part 11 option), and raw-data immutability. All test methods are traceable to internationally recognized standards—including ASTM D3985 (O₂), ASTM F1249 (H₂O), ISO 15106-2 (H₂O), GB/T 19789 (O₂), and GB/T 26253 (H₂O)—ensuring acceptance by FDA, EMA, PMDA, and NMPA reviewers during packaging validation submissions.
Software & Data Management
Labthink’s proprietary PermeationSuite™ software provides ISO/IEC 17025–aligned workflow management: method templates pre-configured for each standard, automatic pass/fail evaluation against specification limits, and export-ready reports in PDF/A-1b and CSV formats. Raw sensor output (voltage vs. time), chamber environmental logs, and calculated transmission rates are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with SHA-256 hashing. Optional DataShield™ module adds blockchain-anchored data provenance, while CFR 21 Part 11 add-on enforces role-based access, biometric login support, and electronic record retention for 25+ years. All calibration events, maintenance logs, and instrument qualification records (IQ/OQ/PQ) are embedded within the software interface.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging: blister lidding foils, cold-forming aluminum, PTP aluminum-PVC composites, and desiccant-containing sachets.
- Food packaging barrier validation: retort pouches, vacuum-sealed meat films, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) structures, and edible coating efficacy studies.
- Medical device sterile barrier systems: Tyvek®-based pouches, peelable lids, and thermoformed trays per ISO 11607-1.
- Photovoltaic encapsulant screening: EVA, POE, and silicone-based films for moisture ingress resistance in solar module lamination.
- Flexible electronics encapsulation: OLED display barriers, thin-film transistor (TFT) moisture protection layers, and conductive polymer films.
FAQ
What gas purity specifications are required for carrier and test gases?
High-purity nitrogen (≥99.999% N₂) is mandatory as the carrier gas for both OTR and WVTR modes. For OTR testing, the upstream gas must be ≥99.5% O₂ balanced with N₂; no other diluents are permitted.
Can the C403H test rigid containers or bottles?
No—the C403H is designed exclusively for planar specimens (films and sheets). Container-level OTR/WVTR requires dedicated equipment such as the Labthink VAC-V2 or MOCON Ox-Tran series.
Is calibration traceable to NIST or equivalent national metrology institutes?
Yes—factory calibration uses certified reference standards traceable to NIST SRM 2811 (oxygen permeability) and NIST SRM 2812 (water vapor transmission), with full calibration certificates provided upon delivery.
How does the system handle low-permeability materials with extended equilibration times?
The C403H supports programmable test durations up to 30 days with adaptive sampling intervals, auto-convergence algorithms, and real-time permeation rate trending to confirm steady-state diffusion prior to final calculation.
What maintenance is required for the coulometric and IR sensors?
The coulometric sensor requires no routine maintenance beyond annual verification using certified O₂ challenge gas; the IR sensor is solid-state with no consumables—only quarterly optical window cleaning is recommended.
