Drick DRK501D Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester for Rigid Foam Plastics
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | DRK501D |
| Chamber Volume | 150 L |
| Internal Dimensions (H×W×D) | 150 × 50 × 60 cm |
| External Dimensions (H×W×D) | 100 × 110 × 150 cm |
| Temperature Range | −40 °C to 150 °C (optional ranges: −20 °C to 150 °C |
| Humidity Range | 20–98 %RH |
| Temperature Uniformity/Fluctuation | ≤ ±0.5 °C / ±2 °C |
| RH Uniformity/Fluctuation | ±2.5 %RH / +2–3 %RH |
| Test Cup Capacity | 6 units |
| Desiccator Included | 1 unit (glass) |
| Heating Rate | −20 °C to 100 °C in ≈35 min |
| Cooling Rate | 20 °C to −20 °C in ≈35 min |
| Controller | LCD touch-screen programmable temperature & humidity controller (single-point and multi-step program modes) |
| Resolution | 0.1 °C / 0.1 %RH |
| Sensors | PT100 platinum resistance thermometers (dry/wet bulb configuration) |
| Heating System | Nickel-chromium alloy resistive heaters |
| Refrigeration System | French Tecumseh (Tecumseh-branded) hermetic compressor, air-cooled condenser, oil separator, solenoid valve, desiccant filter |
| Air Circulation | Extended-shaft motor with high-temperature/cryogenic stainless steel multi-wing impeller |
| Exterior Material | SUS#304 brushed stainless steel |
| Interior Material | SUS#304 mirror-finish stainless steel |
| Insulation | Rigid polyurethane foam + glass fiber blanket |
| Door Seal | Dual-layer high-temp/low-temp silicone rubber gasket |
| Standard Accessories | Multi-stage heating defrost system with interior lighting and observation window (1 set), sample racks (2 pcs), 50 mm test lead-through port (1 pc) |
| Safety Protections | Over-temperature, motor overheat, compressor high-pressure, overload, over-current, dry-heating prevention, phase loss & reverse-phase detection |
| Power Supply | AC 380 V ±10 %, 50 ±1 Hz, 3-phase 4-wire |
| Operating Ambient | 5–30 °C, ≤85 %RH |
Overview
The Drick DRK501D Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is a precision environmental chamber engineered for standardized gravimetric determination of water vapor permeability in rigid cellular plastics—including polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), phenolic, and polyisocyanurate foams—as well as packaging films, coated papers, and composite laminates. It operates on the principle of dynamic equilibrium gravimetry per ASTM E96, ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, and QB/T 2411–1998, wherein test specimens are sealed over desiccated or humidified cups and exposed to controlled temperature and relative humidity gradients across the specimen surface. Mass change of the cup assembly is monitored at defined intervals to calculate steady-state WVTR (g/m²·day). The DRK501D integrates dual-zone thermal management, high-fidelity PT100-based humidity sensing, and programmable multi-step environmental profiles to ensure measurement repeatability under stringent laboratory conditions.
Key Features
- Stable dual-range climate control: −40 °C to 150 °C temperature range with optional configurations; 20–98 %RH humidity range—validated for long-term stability per ISO 17025 calibration traceability requirements.
- High-uniformity chamber architecture: Optimized airflow via extended-shaft stainless steel blower and symmetrical ducting ensures ≤±2 °C temperature uniformity and ±2.5 %RH humidity uniformity across the full 150 L working volume.
- Gravimetric-ready design: Six dedicated test cup stations with precision-machined sealing flanges, compatible with standard 60 mm and 80 mm diameter cups per ASTM E96 Procedure A (desiccant method) and Procedure B (water method).
- Robust thermal management: Tecumseh-brand hermetic refrigeration system with oil separation, electronic expansion valve modulation, and redundant pressure monitoring ensures reliable sub-zero operation and rapid thermal transitions (≤35 min for −20 °C ↔ 100 °C).
- Intuitive programmable controller: Touchscreen LCD interface supports up to 99 programmable steps with real-time logging of chamber setpoints, actual values, and alarm history—exportable via USB for audit compliance.
- Material-grade construction: Mirror-finish SUS#304 interior minimizes moisture adsorption; double-silicone door gasket maintains seal integrity across −40 °C to 150 °C; polyurethane + fiberglass insulation achieves <0.8 W/m²·K thermal transmittance.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK501D accommodates flat, rigid specimens up to 100 mm × 100 mm and thicknesses ≤25 mm—ideal for structural insulation panels (SIPs), extruded polystyrene (XPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and phenolic board testing. Its chamber geometry and cup layout comply with dimensional constraints specified in ASTM E96 Annex A1 and ISO 2528 Annex B. All thermal and humidity sensors are calibrated against NIST-traceable references; system-level performance verification follows ISO/IEC 17025 internal validation protocols. The instrument meets essential safety and EMC requirements per IEC 61000-6-2/6-3 and is designed for integration into GLP-compliant laboratories requiring documented environmental monitoring and audit-ready event logs.
Software & Data Management
No proprietary software is bundled; however, the embedded controller provides timestamped CSV export of all operational parameters (setpoint, actual T/RH, elapsed time, alarm flags) via USB flash drive. Data files include metadata headers compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 basic requirements (user ID, date/time stamp, instrument ID). Optional RS485 Modbus RTU output enables integration with third-party LIMS or SCADA platforms for centralized environmental data aggregation. All firmware updates are delivered via secure offline package with version-controlled release notes and impact assessment documentation.
Applications
- Quality control of building insulation materials per ASTM C209 and EN 13165 for thermal resistance correlation studies.
- R&D evaluation of hydrophobic coatings and vapor barrier films used in cold-chain packaging.
- Regulatory submission support for medical device packaging per ISO 11607–1, where WVTR limits govern sterile barrier integrity.
- Accelerated aging studies of polymer composites under cyclic humidity exposure (e.g., 85 %RH/85 °C per IPC-9701).
- Validation of vacuum-insulated panel (VIP) core materials under low-humidity storage conditions.
FAQ
What standards does the DRK501D directly support?
It is configured and validated for QB/T 2411–1998, GB/T 1037, ASTM E96 (Procedures A & B), and ISO 2528. Custom calibration certificates can be issued referencing additional regional standards upon request.
Can the chamber accommodate non-standard cup geometries?
Yes—the open test platform allows user-supplied cups (up to 120 mm diameter) when mounted on the provided adjustable cup holders; sealing integrity must be verified independently.
Is remote monitoring supported?
Native Ethernet or Wi-Fi is not integrated; however, the USB data export and RS485 Modbus interface enable indirect remote access through external gateway hardware.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Compressor oil and refrigerant levels should be inspected annually; PT100 sensors require recalibration every 12 months against certified reference hygrometers; door gaskets should be replaced every 36 months or if compression force falls below 15 N/mm.
Does the system meet FDA or EU MDR requirements for medical packaging testing?
While the DRK501D itself is not a Class I/II medical device, its measurement capability and data traceability align with ISO 11607–1 Annex D validation prerequisites when operated within a qualified laboratory environment adhering to ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 11 controls.
