Labthink C130H Gas Permeability Tester for High-Barrier Packaging Films
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | C130H |
| Price Range | USD 14,000 – 85,000 |
| Test Principle | Differential Pressure Method (Manometric) |
| Standards Compliance | ISO 15105-1, ISO 2556, ASTM D1434, GB/T 1038-2000, JIS K7126-1, YBB 00082003 |
| Measurement Range | 0.01–50,000 cm³/m²·24h·0.1MPa |
| Resolution | 0.001 cm³/m²·24h·0.1MPa |
| Temperature Range | 10–50 °C (ambient 23 °C) |
| Temp. Stability | ±0.05 °C |
| Temp. Accuracy | ±0.3 °C (via calibration port) |
| Vacuum Resolution | 0.01 Pa |
| Vacuum Accuracy | ±0.2% of reading (1–100% of sensor span) |
| Max. Test Chamber Vacuum | <10 Pa |
| Sample Quantity | 3 independent test cells |
| Sample Diameter | Φ97 mm |
| Effective Test Area | 38.48 cm² |
| Test Gases | O₂, N₂, CO₂, air, He (custom configurations available for flammable, explosive or toxic gases) |
| Test Pressure Range | 10–210 kPa (adjustable) |
| Gas Supply Pressure | 0.5–0.6 MPa |
| Power Supply | 220 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz or 120 VAC ±10%, 60 Hz (user-selectable) |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 710 × 350 × 630 mm |
| Net Weight | ~100 kg |
Overview
The Labthink C130H Gas Permeability Tester is an engineered differential pressure (manometric) system designed for precise, repeatable quantification of gas transmission rates through polymeric films, laminates, and high-barrier sheet materials used in pharmaceutical, food, medical device, and aerospace packaging. Operating on the fundamental principle of Fick’s law of diffusion, the C130H establishes a controlled pressure gradient across a conditioned specimen—typically sealed between upper (high-pressure) and lower (vacuum) test chambers—and continuously monitors the rise in pressure within the evacuated chamber as permeant gas molecules diffuse through the material. This real-time manometric measurement enables calculation of oxygen transmission rate (OTR), nitrogen transmission rate (NTR), carbon dioxide transmission rate (COTR), and derived transport parameters including permeability coefficient (P), diffusion coefficient (D), and solubility coefficient (S), all traceable to internationally recognized standards.
Key Features
- Triple independent test chambers with fully autonomous operation—enabling concurrent testing of three distinct samples under identical or varied conditions without cross-interference.
- Automated drawer-style sample loading mechanism with pneumatically actuated clamping, ensuring uniform sealing force and eliminating operator-induced variability.
- High-stability vacuum architecture featuring a certified 0.2 Pa ultimate vacuum pump (UK-sourced), ultra-low-leakage pneumatic control valves (imported), and a high-resolution 0.01 Pa vacuum transducer—validated for reproducible measurement of ultra-high-barrier materials down to 0.01 cm³/m²·24h·0.1MPa.
- 360° circumferential air-circulation thermal management system maintaining temperature stability within ±0.05 °C across the full operating range (10–50 °C), with external calibration ports for NIST-traceable verification.
- Patented auto-compensation pressure regulation: dynamically maintains constant upstream pressure (10–210 kPa adjustable) with drift <0.2 kPa during extended tests—critical for accurate D and S coefficient derivation.
- Embedded Windows-based computing platform with integrated display, keyboard, and mouse; eliminates external PC dependency, mitigating OS-level vulnerabilities and ensuring long-term software integrity and data continuity.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C130H accommodates rigid and flexible planar specimens up to Φ97 mm diameter (38.48 cm² effective area), including monolayer plastics (e.g., PET, PP, PE), metallized films (AlOx, SiOx, Al foil composites), coextrusions, biodegradable matrices (PLA, starch-based films), coated substrates (paint films, fluoropolymer-laminated fiberglass), and engineered composites (aerospace-grade elastomers, medical-grade barrier laminates). It supports single-gas and multi-gas configurations—including O₂, N₂, CO₂, He, and custom-certified hazardous gas modules (subject to IEC 60079-0/IEC 60079-15 compliance review). The system meets design and performance requirements of ISO 15105-1 (gas permeability of plastics), ISO 2556 (differential pressure method), ASTM D1434 (O₂ transmission), GB/T 1038-2000, and YBB 00082003 (Chinese pharmaceutical packaging standards). Optional GMP-compliant firmware includes 21 CFR Part 11–ready audit trails, electronic signatures, and role-based access control.
Software & Data Management
Labthink’s proprietary PermeationSuite™ software provides real-time visualization of pressure-vs.-time, transmission rate-vs.-time, and temperature-vs.-time curves, with synchronized timestamping and automatic baseline correction. Advanced data fitting algorithms support Arrhenius modeling for extrapolation of barrier performance at non-tested temperatures, and linear/nonlinear regression for D, S, and P coefficient derivation per ISO 15105-1 Annex B. Calibration routines include certified reference film validation (e.g., SRM 1472), temperature and pressure sensor verification via dedicated calibration ports, and vacuum integrity self-checks. Data export conforms to ASTM E1447 and ISO/IEC 17025 reporting formats. Optional DataShield™ module enables secure TLS-encrypted network transfer to LIMS or MES platforms, with configurable user permissions and centralized backup policies.
Applications
Primary applications span regulated and industrial sectors requiring quantitative barrier validation: shelf-life prediction of sterile medical pouches (ISO 11607-1); oxygen ingress analysis in modified-atmosphere food packaging; helium leak screening of inflatable aerospace components; water vapor and gas co-permeation studies in biodegradable agricultural mulch films; permeability benchmarking of PVDC- and EVOH-containing laminates; and regulatory submission support for FDA 510(k) or EU MDR documentation. Secondary use cases include R&D of functional coatings (e.g., SiO₂ on PET), quality control of lithium-ion battery separator films, and accelerated aging correlation studies under elevated temperature/humidity (with optional humidification module).
FAQ
What gases can be tested on the C130H?
Standard configurations support O₂, N₂, CO₂, air, and He. Custom-engineered variants are available for flammable (e.g., H₂), explosive (e.g., ethylene), or toxic gases (e.g., SO₂), subject to hazard assessment and ATEX/IECEx certification.
Is humidity control integrated?
Relative humidity control is not standard but available as a factory-installed option—enabling dynamic RH conditioning (10–90% RH) of the test gas stream per ISO 15106-3 protocols.
How is system accuracy verified?
The instrument includes dual calibration ports for independent verification of temperature and pressure sensors using NIST-traceable references; annual recalibration services are offered with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited certificates.
Can test data meet pharmaceutical audit requirements?
Yes—when equipped with GMP firmware, the system provides full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance: electronic signatures, immutable audit trails, user authentication, and data integrity safeguards aligned with Annex 11 and ALCOA+ principles.
What maintenance is required?
Routine maintenance includes vacuum grease replacement (every 12 months), filter paper exchange (per test batch), and annual vacuum pump oil service; all consumables are pre-qualified and supplied with Lot-specific CoA documentation.
