Drick DRK311 Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester — 6-Chamber
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | DRK311 (6-Chamber) |
| Measurement Principle | Gravimetric (Weight Gain/Loss Method) |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM E96, ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, YY/T 0148-2017, JIS Z 0208, DIN 53122, YBB 00092003, GB/T 17146, GB/T 12704, QB/T 2414, TAPPI T464 |
| Temperature Range | 15–55 °C |
| Humidity Range | 10–98 %RH (adjustable per test mode) |
| Test Area | 33 cm² |
| WVTR Range | 0.1–10,000 g/m²·24h (loss mode) |
| Balance Resolution | 0.0001 g |
| Balance Capacity | 220 g |
| Temperature Control Accuracy | ±0.1 °C |
| Humidity Control Accuracy | ±1 %RH |
| Air Velocity | 0.5–2.5 m/s |
| Sample Thickness Limit | ≤3 mm |
| Power Supply | AC 220 V ±10 %, 50 Hz |
Overview
The Drick DRK311 Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is a precision-engineered, six-chamber instrument designed for reliable and standardized measurement of water vapor permeability in rigid and flexible packaging materials, barrier films, medical device packaging, textiles, coated papers, building membranes, and polymer laminates. It operates on the gravimetric principle—quantifying mass change over time under controlled environmental conditions—to determine water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) in accordance with internationally recognized test methods including ASTM E96 (Procedure A & B), ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, and YY/T 0148-2017. The system employs dual-mode operation: weight-loss (desiccant-filled cup exposed to high-humidity chamber) and weight-gain (water-filled cup exposed to low-humidity chamber), enabling full compliance with both regulatory and industrial specifications across pharmaceutical, food, medical, and construction sectors.
Key Features
- Six independent, thermally isolated test chambers with synchronized environmental control—each chamber equipped with dedicated temperature/humidity sensors and real-time mass monitoring.
- Patented moisture-proof balance isolation system: stainless-steel thermal shielding, anti-condensation support rods, and sealed load-cell enclosure ensure long-term stability and repeatability (±0.0001 g resolution; ±0.01 g/m²·24h accuracy).
- Integrated spiral airflow circulation design ensures uniform temperature (±0.1 °C), humidity (±1 %RH), and air velocity (0.5–2.5 m/s) distribution across all chambers—eliminating edge effects and thermal stratification.
- Auto-zeroing balance calibration before each weighing cycle, combined with intermittent (non-continuous) gravimetric sampling, minimizes mechanical drift and thermal interference.
- Dual-method automation: seamless switching between gain and loss configurations without hardware reconfiguration; fully programmable test profiles for multi-standard validation (e.g., 38 °C/90 %RH per GB/T 1037 or 23 °C/50 %RH per ASTM E96).
- Hermetically sealed stainless-steel humidification system with fog-suppression heating elements, real-time water-level monitoring, and auto-refill capability—ensuring uninterrupted long-duration testing (up to 168 h).
- Touchscreen + PC dual-control architecture: local HMI supports standalone operation; optional GMP-compliant software module provides 21 CFR Part 11–aligned audit trails, role-based user access, electronic signatures, and data integrity safeguards.
- Self-diagnostic firmware: power-loss recovery with non-volatile memory retention; automatic sensor validation at startup; leak-check routines for chamber integrity verification.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK311 accommodates flat specimens up to 3 mm thick—including monolayer and multilayer plastic films (PET, PE, PP, PVDC), aluminum foil composites, metallized papers, nonwovens, hydrophobic textiles, silicone-coated medical packaging, and cementitious membranes. All sample mounting uses proprietary dry-seal cups with non-hygroscopic outer housings and torsion-free clamping—preventing edge leakage, substrate distortion, or extraneous moisture absorption. The instrument is validated against 18 national and international standards, including pharmacopoeial requirements (YBB 00092003, USP referenced via YY/T 0148), food-contact regulations (GB 19082-2009), and ASTM/ISO barrier testing protocols. Its design meets GLP and GMP environmental monitoring prerequisites when paired with the optional computerized system module.
Software & Data Management
Built-in embedded software delivers real-time visualization of mass drift, chamber RH/temperature profiles, cumulative WVTR curves, and statistical summaries per cavity. Raw data—including timestamped mass readings, environmental setpoints, and calculated transmission rates—is exportable in CSV and Excel formats. The optional GMP Computerized System add-on extends functionality to include electronic batch records, configurable report templates, automated pass/fail evaluation against user-defined limits, and full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance: audit trail logging (user action, timestamp, parameter change), secure login hierarchy (admin/operator/auditor roles), and immutable data archiving. All software interfaces are Unicode-enabled and support localized language packs (English default).
Applications
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging validation (blister foils, pouches, Tyvek® lids) per USP and EP 5.3.
- Food packaging shelf-life modeling—correlating WVTR with moisture-sensitive product degradation (e.g., crisps, powders, dried herbs).
- Medical device sterilization wrap qualification (ISO 11607-1) and biocompatibility barrier assessment (ISO 10993-12).
- Construction membrane certification for vapor retarder classification (ASTM E1745, GB/T 17146).
- R&D screening of novel barrier coatings (SiOx, AlOx, graphene-enhanced polymers) under accelerated aging conditions.
- QC release testing for laminated flexible packaging used in retort, aseptic, and cold-chain logistics.
FAQ
What standards does the DRK311 directly support?
ASTM E96 (Procedures A, B, E, F), ISO 2528, GB/T 1037, YY/T 0148-2017, JIS Z 0208, DIN 53122, YBB 00092003, GB/T 17146, GB/T 12704, QB/T 2414, TAPPI T464, and GB 19082-2009.
Can the system perform both gain and loss tests simultaneously?
No—chambers operate in synchronized mode (all gain or all loss per test run), but method selection is software-configurable without hardware modification.
Is external compressed air required?
Yes; clean, oil-free, dry compressed air (0.4–0.6 MPa) is necessary for pneumatic cup lifting and chamber sealing actuation.
What is the maximum specimen thickness supported?
3 mm—compatible with rigid trays, blister cards, and composite boards when mounted in standard 33 cm² test cups.
Does the system require an external HVAC-controlled lab environment?
No—the DRK311 maintains internal environmental stability independent of ambient lab conditions, eliminating dependency on external climate control.
How is data integrity ensured during extended tests?
All measurements are stored in non-volatile memory; power interruptions trigger automatic save-to-flash; optional GMP module adds cryptographic hashing and tamper-evident audit logs.
