HARKE HK-CV2 Differential Pressure Gas Permeability Tester

Overview

The HARKE HK-CV2 Differential Pressure Gas Permeability Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for the quantitative determination of gas transport properties in planar polymeric and composite materials. It operates on the fundamental principle of differential pressure (manometric) permeation measurement, in accordance with Fick’s first law of diffusion and the solution-diffusion model of gas transport through dense films. In this method, a conditioned specimen is sealed between two isolated chambers — a high-pressure test chamber (upper cavity) and a vacuum-controlled low-pressure chamber (lower cavity). Following system evacuation to a defined base vacuum, the upper chamber is pressurized with a specified test gas (e.g., O₂, N₂, CO₂, or custom gases), establishing a constant, adjustable transmembrane partial pressure gradient. The time-dependent rise in pressure within the evacuated lower chamber is measured via high-stability capacitive or piezoresistive transducers, enabling calculation of gas permeability (P), diffusion coefficient (D), solubility coefficient (S), and gas transmission rate (GTR) under controlled thermal and hygric conditions.

Key Features

• Triple independent test chambers: Enables concurrent, fully isolated evaluation of up to three specimens — identical or dissimilar — under identical or individually configured environmental conditions.
• Wide-range, high-stability climate control: Integrated Peltier-based temperature regulation (±0.1 °C accuracy) and optional humidity control module (10–90% RH, ±1% RH) ensure reproducible testing across ISO/ASTM-specified condition sets (e.g., 23 °C/0% RH, 38 °C/90% RH).
• Dual-mode permeation endpoint detection: Combines proportional threshold logic with adaptive fuzzy logic algorithms to dynamically identify steady-state permeation onset, minimizing operator bias and improving inter-laboratory repeatability.
• Expandable measurement range: Modular sensor configuration supports extension to high-permeability materials (e.g., non-barrier LDPE) without compromising resolution for ultra-low-permeability substrates (e.g., SiOₓ-coated PET or AlOₓ laminates).
• Hazardous gas compatibility: Optional system modification package available for safe handling of toxic (e.g., H₂S, Cl₂) or flammable (e.g., CH₄, H₂) test gases, including leak-tight dual-seal sample clamping, explosion-proof pressure relief, and integrated gas scrubbing interfaces.
• Automated calibration workflow: Includes certified reference standards traceable to NIST-equivalent permeability values; automatic drift compensation and zero-point validation prior to each test sequence.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HK-CV2 accommodates rigid and flexible sheet materials with thicknesses from 20 µm to 2 mm and maximum dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm per chamber. Compatible substrates include monolayer and multilayer plastic films (e.g., PE, PP, PET, PA, EVOH), metallized and oxide-coated barriers (Al foil, AlOₓ, SiOₓ), paper-plastic laminates, rubber sheets, and thermoplastic elastomers. The instrument complies with core international standards for gas permeation testing, including ISO 15105-1 (plastics — film and sheet — determination of gas-transmission rate — part 1: differential pressure method), ISO 2556 (plastics — film and sheet — determination of gas transmission rate — manometric method), ASTM D1434 (standard test method for determining gas permeability characteristics of plastic film and sheeting), and GB/T 1038-2000 (Chinese national standard for plastic film gas permeability testing). All test protocols support full audit trail generation required for GLP and GMP environments.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via HARKE Lystem™ v4.2 software, the HK-CV2 delivers full ICH-compliant data integrity: electronic signatures, role-based access control, 21 CFR Part 11–ready audit trails, and immutable raw-data archiving. Real-time permeation curves, parameter fitting (linear/nonlinear regression), Arrhenius-based temperature extrapolation, and multi-condition comparative reporting are embedded. Data export supports CSV, PDF, XML, and direct integration into Lystem™ Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for enterprise-wide result harmonization, cross-instrument trending, and regulatory submission packages.

Applications

Primary use cases span packaging R&D, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance in food, pharmaceutical, medical device, and electronics packaging sectors. Typical applications include barrier performance validation of retort pouches, blister foil lidding, sterile barrier systems (ISO 11607), modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films, lithium-ion battery separator films, and protective coatings for OLED encapsulation. The instrument supports formulation screening, shelf-life modeling, accelerated aging correlation studies, and root-cause analysis of delamination-induced barrier loss.

FAQ

What gases can be tested with the HK-CV2?
Standard configurations support O₂, N₂, CO₂, and air. Custom configurations for H₂, He, CH₄, H₂S, and Cl₂ are available upon request with appropriate safety modifications.
Is temperature calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes — integrated PT100 sensors are factory-calibrated against NIST-traceable references; optional on-site calibration verification kits are available.
Can the system operate unattended overnight?
Yes — automated start/stop, real-time failure detection (e.g., seal breach, pressure deviation), and email/SNMP alerting enable fully unattended operation for multi-day kinetic studies.
Does the software support statistical process control (SPC) charts?
Yes — built-in SPC modules generate X̄/R charts, Cpk/Ppk indices, and out-of-specification trend alerts aligned with ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 requirements.
What sample preparation tools are recommended?
HARKE offers a dedicated circular die cutter (Ø 97 mm) and vacuum-assisted sample loading station to ensure burr-free, wrinkle-free specimen mounting and eliminate edge leakage artifacts.