GBPI W405 Infrared-Based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester
| Brand | GBPI |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Origin Category | Domestic (China) |
| Model | W405 |
| Price Range | USD 42,000 – 70,000 |
| Test Principle | Infrared Detection of Moisture |
| Standards Compliance | GB/T 26253-2010, ASTM F1249-2013, ISO 15106-2:2005, JIS K7129-2008, YBB 00092003-2015 |
| Test Range | 0.002–500 g/(m²·24h) |
| Resolution | 0.001 g/(m²·24h) |
| Temperature Control Range | 15–45 °C |
| Temp. Accuracy | ±0.1 °C |
| Humidity Control Range | 0–100 %RH (dual-stream dry/wet gas method) |
| RH Accuracy | ±1 %RH |
| Permeation Area | 50.24 cm² |
| Specimen Size | Ø100 mm |
| Max. Specimen Thickness | ≤3 mm |
| Sample Capacity | 3 specimens per test cycle |
| Carrier Gas | Ultra-high-purity N₂ (99.999%, user-supplied) |
| Gas Pressure | ≥0.1 MPa |
| Gas Flow Rate | 5–100 mL/min |
| Power | 750 W, AC 220 V / 50 Hz |
Overview
The GBPI W405 is a high-precision, infrared-based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) tester engineered for quantitative determination of moisture permeation through barrier materials under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. It operates on the principle of non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detection—where water vapor molecules traversing a test specimen are carried by a dry nitrogen carrier gas stream into an infrared absorption cell. The instrument measures the characteristic absorption at 2.7 µm wavelength to calculate real-time vapor concentration, enabling gravimetric-equivalent WVTR calculation without mass loss assumptions or desiccant saturation limitations. Designed in strict accordance with GB/T 26253-2010 and internationally harmonized standards—including ASTM F1249-2013, ISO 15106-2:2005, and JIS K7129-2008—the W405 delivers metrologically traceable results suitable for regulatory submission, quality control, and R&D validation in regulated environments.
Key Features
- Infrared sensor architecture: Utilizes a thermally stabilized NDIR detector with auto-zero calibration and over-range protection—ensuring long-term signal stability and eliminating drift-induced recalibration cycles.
- Integrated dual-stream humidity control: Independently regulated dry and saturated gas streams enable precise, dynamic RH setpoint delivery (0–100 %RH) with ±1 %RH accuracy and <5 min stabilization time.
- Electromagnetic programmable temperature control: Solid-state Peltier-driven thermal module achieves ±0.1 °C uniformity across the test chamber without external chiller or heater units—reducing footprint, noise, and maintenance points.
- GMP-compliant software platform: Fully validated application software supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance with electronic signatures, role-based access control (admin/operator/auditor), and immutable audit trails for all test events, parameter changes, and report exports.
- Self-contained operation: 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen interface enables standalone testing—no external PC required. Real-time plotting of five synchronized parameters (temperature, RH, WVTR, flow rate, supply voltage) with configurable visibility and historical database query capability.
- Modular mechanical design: Pneumatically actuated clamping system ensures repeatable 100 mm diameter specimen sealing (50.24 cm² effective area); field-replaceable sensor modules and quick-disconnect gas lines simplify preventive maintenance and service interventions.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The W405 accommodates rigid and flexible planar specimens up to 3 mm thickness—including polymer films (PET, PE, PP, BOPP), metallized substrates (Al foil, vacuum-deposited AlOx/SiOx), laminates, pharmaceutical blister foils, medical device packaging, solar backsheet films, OLED encapsulation layers, and transdermal patch membranes. Its three-position test chamber allows sequential or parallel evaluation of heterogeneous samples under identical environmental conditions. All hardware and firmware comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 general requirements for competence of testing laboratories, and measurement traceability is maintained via certified reference materials (GBW(E)130543/4) issued by the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China—enabling cross-laboratory data comparability and acceptance in FDA, EMA, and PMDA submissions.
Software & Data Management
The embedded Windows-based software provides full lifecycle data governance: from test method definition (predefined or custom protocols), automated pass/fail evaluation against user-defined specification limits, to PDF report generation with embedded metadata (operator ID, timestamp, environmental logs, raw sensor outputs). Audit trail records capture every action—including login/logout events, parameter edits, result overrides, and report approvals—with cryptographic hashing to prevent tampering. Raw data files are stored in encrypted SQLite format with automatic daily backup to external USB storage. Export options include CSV (for statistical process control integration), XML (for LIMS ingestion), and signed PDFs compliant with GLP/GMP documentation requirements.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical packaging qualification per USP <671> and YBB 00092003-2015 for blister, bottle, and sachet barrier performance.
- Food packaging shelf-life modeling via accelerated WVTR mapping across temperature-humidity matrices (e.g., 25 °C/60 %RH, 40 °C/75 %RH).
- Development and QC of high-barrier flexible electronics encapsulation (e.g., moisture ingress thresholds <0.005 g/m²/day for OLED lifetime assurance).
- Regulatory stability studies supporting ICH Q1/Q5 submissions where water vapor permeation directly impacts product degradation kinetics.
- Material comparison and supplier qualification for multilayer coextrusions, plasma-enhanced CVD coatings, and nanocomposite films.
FAQ
What calibration standards are used to verify instrument accuracy?
The W405 is calibrated using GBW(E)130543/4 certified reference materials—traceable to NIM China—with documented uncertainty budgets. Routine verification employs NIST-traceable humidity generators and precision temperature baths per ISO 17025 procedures.
Is nitrogen purity critical for valid measurements?
Yes. Carrier gas must be ≥99.999% pure N₂ to prevent interference from CO₂, hydrocarbons, or residual moisture that would saturate the IR cell or generate false baseline signals.
Can the W405 test filled containers (e.g., bottles or pouches)?
No—it is configured exclusively for flat, sheet-type specimens. For container testing, GBPI offers complementary instruments based on gravimetric or modulated DSC methods.
How does the dual-stream humidity control improve test reproducibility?
By decoupling dry gas flow from saturated gas flow, the system eliminates hysteresis and RH overshoot during transitions—delivering stable, uniform humidity profiles across the entire test duration, especially critical for low-permeability materials requiring >72 h exposure.
Does the software support networked deployment in a shared lab environment?
Yes. Optional client-server mode enables centralized database hosting, concurrent multi-user access with session isolation, and integration with enterprise LDAP/Active Directory authentication systems.
