Drick DRK461A Gurley Air Permeability Tester for Paper and Packaging Materials
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | DRK461A |
| Price | USD 7,000 (FOB Qingdao) |
Overview
The Drick DRK461A Gurley Air Permeability Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed to quantify air resistance—commonly expressed as Gurley seconds—of low-permeability sheet materials including paper, board, filter media, nonwovens, thin films, and coated packaging substrates. It operates on the fundamental principle defined in ASTM D726, TAPPI T460, ISO 5636-5, and GB/T 458, where a fixed volume of air (100 mL) is driven under a constant differential pressure (1.22 kPa or 12.5 cm H₂O) through a standardized test area (6.45 cm²) of the specimen. The elapsed time required for this volumetric flow is measured with high-resolution timing circuitry (±0.01 s), directly yielding the Gurley value—a critical parameter for evaluating breathability, barrier integrity, and process consistency in packaging and paper manufacturing.
Key Features
- Compliant dual-pressure calibration system ensuring traceable adherence to ASTM D726 and ISO 5636-5 reference conditions
- Digital microsecond-precision timer with automatic start/stop triggered by pneumatic valve actuation
- Stainless-steel test head with precision-machined orifice (Ø1.0 mm) and leak-tested sealing gasket assembly
- Integrated pressure regulator and manometer for real-time verification of applied differential pressure (1.22 ± 0.02 kPa)
- Modular sample clamp mechanism accommodating specimens up to 150 mm × 150 mm with uniform clamping force distribution
- Self-diagnostic firmware that validates vacuum integrity, timing synchronization, and pressure stability prior to each test cycle
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK461A accommodates flat, non-porous to semi-porous sheet materials with thicknesses ranging from 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm and grammage up to 600 g/m². It supports routine testing of kraft paper, greaseproof paper, aluminum-laminated foil composites, medical packaging Tyvek®, and metallized PET films. All mechanical and pneumatic components conform to CE safety directives and RoHS material restrictions. Test reports generated by the instrument meet GLP documentation requirements, including operator ID, timestamp, environmental temperature/humidity logging (optional external sensor integration), and raw timing data export in CSV format—facilitating audit readiness per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated software modules.
Software & Data Management
While the base DRK461A operates in standalone mode with front-panel digital display and manual data recording, optional PC connectivity via RS-232 or USB enables integration with Drick’s proprietary LabManager v3.2 software suite. This platform provides automated statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV%, min/max across n ≥ 5 replicates), pass/fail threshold enforcement against user-defined Gurley limits (e.g., “≤ 30 s for pharmaceutical blister lidding”), and PDF report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation templates. Audit trails log all parameter modifications, result deletions, and calibration events with immutable timestamps—supporting regulatory submissions under ICH Q5, USP , and EU Annex 11.
Applications
- Quality control of release liners and silicone-coated papers in adhesive tape production
- Barrier performance validation of pouch laminates used in sterile medical device packaging
- Process optimization of pulp refining and calendering in paper mills
- Comparative evaluation of nanocellulose-reinforced barrier coatings versus conventional PVdC alternatives
- R&D screening of breathable microporous membranes for protective apparel and filtration media
- Supplier qualification testing per ISTA 3A and ASTM D4169 transport packaging protocols
FAQ
What standards does the DRK461A comply with?
ASTM D726, TAPPI T460 om-19, ISO 5636-5, GB/T 458, JIS P8117, and DIN 53122.
Can the instrument measure materials with Gurley values above 10,000 seconds?
Yes—the DRK461A supports extended timing up to 99,999.99 s with resolution maintained at 0.01 s, enabling characterization of ultra-low-permeability metallized films and ceramic substrates.
Is vacuum source included?
No—a dedicated oil-free vacuum pump (≥ 60 L/min @ –90 kPa) is required and must be specified separately; Drick recommends model VP-200E for optimal pressure stability.
How often does the system require recalibration?
Annual calibration is recommended; however, daily verification using NIST-traceable Gurley reference standards (certified ±0.5% tolerance) is required for GLP-compliant operations.
Does the tester support multi-layer composite samples?
Yes—provided interfacial delamination does not occur during clamping; users should pre-condition specimens at 23°C/50% RH for 24 h per ISO 187 prior to testing.
