Labthink C190H Gas Permeability Tester for Battery Separators

Overview

The Labthink C190H Gas Permeability Tester is an engineered solution for quantitative assessment of air permeability in microporous polymeric membranes—primarily battery separators, breathable films, and specialty papers. It operates on the volumetric method per ISO 5636 and GB/T 36363-2018: under controlled ambient temperature and humidity, a constant differential pressure of 1.21 kPa is applied across a standardized test area (6.45 cm²), and the time required for 100 mL of dry air to pass through the specimen is measured with high-resolution volumetric detection. This principle delivers direct, traceable, and reproducible permeability data expressed in industry-standard units—including seconds per 100 mL (s/100 mL) and intrinsic permeability coefficient (µm/(Pa·s)). Unlike gravimetric or manometric alternatives, the C190H’s displacement-based measurement eliminates drift from humidity absorption or gas solubility effects, making it especially suitable for hydrophobic, low-permeability lithium-ion battery separators where precision at sub-100 s/100 mL ranges is critical.

Key Features

• Triple independent test chambers: Enables parallel evaluation of three specimens under identical environmental conditions—reducing inter-test variability and accelerating QC throughput without compromising statistical validity.
• High-precision pneumatic clamping: Uniform, repeatable sealing force eliminates edge leakage and ensures consistent effective test area; integrated anti-pinch safety mechanism meets ISO 13857 ergonomic requirements.
• Sub-kPa pressure regulation: Digital closed-loop control maintains pressure stability within ±0.01 kPa across the 0–2 kPa range—essential for low-pressure permeability profiling of ultra-thin separators (e.g., PE/PP monolayer films ≤25 µm).
• Embedded industrial computing platform: Dedicated Windows-based 12-inch touch interface with no external PC dependency—prevents OS-level vulnerabilities, ensures deterministic real-time operation, and guarantees long-term firmware/data integrity.
• Automated environmental logging: Onboard sensors continuously record chamber temperature and relative humidity during testing—supporting GLP-compliant audit trails and enabling correction factors per ASTM D726 Annex A2.
• Flexible unit conversion & reporting: Supports simultaneous display and export in s/100 mL, µm/(Pa·s), mL/min, and Gurley units—facilitating cross-standard comparison and regulatory submission alignment (e.g., USP , IEC 62660-1).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C190H accommodates rigid and flexible sheet materials up to 3 mm thick and 60 mm × 60 mm in dimension—including ceramic-coated polyolefin battery separators, expanded PTFE membranes, nonwoven medical barriers, cigarette paper, and filtration-grade kraft board. Its design adheres to mechanical and metrological requirements outlined in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for testing laboratories. All pressure transducers, volumetric displacement sensors, and flow control valves are sourced from Tier-1 industrial suppliers (e.g., Sensirion, SMC), ensuring MTBF >15,000 hours and calibration traceability to NIST standards. The system supports optional validation packages compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records/signatures), EU Annex 11 (computerized systems), and WHO TRS 937 Annex 6 (GMP data integrity).

Software & Data Management

Labthink’s proprietary PermeTest™ software provides role-based access control (administrator, operator, reviewer), full audit trail with immutable timestamps, and electronic signature workflows. Raw data—including pressure ramp profiles, volume displacement curves, and environmental logs—are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with SHA-256 hashing. Export options include CSV, PDF reports with embedded metadata (test ID, operator, instrument serial number, calibration due date), and XML for LIMS integration. The optional DataShield™ module adds AES-256 encryption-at-rest, automated backup to network drives, and tamper-evident log archiving—meeting ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).

Applications

• Battery material R&D: Quantifying air permeability correlation with pore tortuosity, porosity, and shutdown behavior in Li-ion separator films (e.g., Celgard®, Entek®, SK Innovation grades).
• Quality control in roll-to-roll production: In-line verification of coating uniformity and calendering effects on透气性 (air resistance) of dry-process PP/PE membranes.
• Regulatory compliance testing: Generating data for UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Section 38.3 (thermal runaway propagation mitigation) and IEC 62619 (industrial batteries).
• Packaging barrier validation: Assessing breathability of fruit packaging films, medical sterilization wraps, and hygiene product topsheets per ASTM F2476 and ISO 9277.
• Tobacco industry standardization: Routine testing of cigarette paper permeance per TAPPI T460 and ISO 2965—enabling precise ventilation ratio control.

FAQ

What gases can be used with the C190H?
The instrument is calibrated and validated for dry air only. Use of other gases (e.g., N₂, O₂, He) requires revalidation of sensor response, pressure controller linearity, and volumetric calibration—and is not supported under standard warranty.
Is compressed air supply included?
No. A clean, oil-free, desiccated air source delivering 600 kPa (87 PSI) via 6 mm PU tubing is required. Labthink offers certified air dryers and oil-free compressors as optional accessories.
Can the C190H measure CO₂ or moisture vapor transmission?
No. It is designed exclusively for air permeability (ASTM D726-equivalent). For water vapor (ASTM E96) or mixed-gas permeation (ASTM D1434), Labthink’s W3/030 or VAC-V2 instruments are recommended.
How often does the system require calibration?
Annual calibration is recommended; pressure transducers and volumetric sensors include NIST-traceable certificates. Full calibration kits with certified reference orifices are available from Labthink Service Centers.
Does the C190H support IQ/OQ/PQ documentation?
Yes. Factory-issued IQ/OQ protocols are provided. PQ execution—including repeatability, intermediate precision, and robustness testing—can be performed on-site with Labthink Application Engineers or qualified third-party vendors.