Labthink C203H Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Analyzer for High-Barrier Nylon PA Films
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C203H |
| Measurement Principle | Isobaric Coulometric Sensor Method (ASTM D3985 compliant) |
| Test Area | 3 × 50 cm² independent chambers |
| OTR Range | 0.01–200 cc/(m²·day) (standard) |
| Resolution | 0.0001 cc/(m²·day) |
| Repeatability | ±0.01 cc/(m²·day) or ±1%, whichever is greater |
| Temperature Control | 15–50 °C (±0.05 °C stability) |
| RH Control | 0–90% RH (±1% for O₂ side |
| Sample Size | 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm |
| Max Thickness | 3 mm |
| Gas Requirements | 99.999% N₂ (carrier), 99.5% O₂ (permeant) |
| Power | 120 VAC ±10% / 60 Hz or 220 VAC ±10% / 50 Hz |
| Dimensions | 600 × 500 × 700 mm |
| Weight | 100 kg |
Overview
The Labthink C203H Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Analyzer is an isobaric, coulometric sensor-based instrumentation system engineered for precise, reproducible, and regulatory-compliant oxygen permeability testing of high- and medium-barrier polymeric films and rigid sheets. It operates on the fundamental principle of oxygen diffusion across a planar specimen under controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions, where oxygen migrates from a defined permeant side (air or O₂ mixture) to a nitrogen-purged sweep side. The liberated oxygen molecules are transported by high-purity nitrogen flow to a ppb-level coulometric oxygen sensor, enabling quantitative determination of OTR in accordance with ASTM D3985—Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor. Unlike differential-pressure or volumetric methods, the isobaric coulometric approach delivers absolute measurement values without routine sensor calibration, ensuring long-term metrological integrity and traceability.
Key Features
- Triple independent test chambers (3 × 50 cm²), each fully autonomous—enabling concurrent, statistically valid parallel testing of three specimens under identical environmental conditions.
- Proprietary ppb-grade coulometric oxygen sensor with >3× extended service life versus conventional sensors, minimizing downtime and recalibration frequency.
- 360° circumferential air-circulation thermal management system delivering ±0.05 °C temperature stability across the full 15–50 °C operating range (optional 5–60 °C).
- Integrated high-accuracy capacitive RH sensors on both permeant and carrier gas paths, with real-time logging and closed-loop humidity control (0–90% RH, ±1% accuracy on O₂ side).
- Automated sample clamping mechanism ensuring uniform sealing force, eliminating operator-induced variability and improving inter-laboratory reproducibility.
- Drawer-style test chamber with motorized actuation, acoustic/visual confirmation, and fail-safe overpressure protection.
- Embedded industrial-grade computing platform (Windows OS) with 12-inch resistive touch interface—immune to external malware, ensuring data integrity and system uptime in regulated environments.
- Full automation workflow: enter target T/RH setpoints, load samples, initiate test—system manages gas switching, flow regulation, sensor stabilization, and data acquisition without manual intervention.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C203H accommodates a broad spectrum of flexible and semi-rigid packaging materials, including but not limited to nylon (PA)-based high-barrier films, metallized polyester (PET), aluminum foil laminates, PVDC-coated substrates, paper-plastic composites, coextruded structures, and pharmaceutical blister foils. It supports standardized specimen dimensions (11.2 cm × 11.2 cm, ≤3 mm thickness) and complies with global regulatory test standards including ASTM D3985, ASTM F1307 (for package-level testing), ASTM F1927 (optional), ISO 15105-2, GB/T 19789, GB/T 31354, DIN 53380-3, JIS K7126-2-B, and YBB 00082003-2015. Optional CFR 21 Part 11-compliant software modules support audit trails, electronic signatures, and role-based access control—meeting GLP and GMP documentation requirements for pharmaceutical and medical device packaging validation.
Software & Data Management
Labthink’s proprietary OTR Analysis Suite provides intuitive test configuration, real-time sensor diagnostics, multi-parameter trend visualization (OTR vs. time, T, RH), and automated report generation in PDF/CSV formats. All raw sensor output, environmental logs, and metadata are stored locally on the embedded solid-state drive with timestamped versioning. DataShield™ optional module enables encrypted local backup, configurable retention policies, and export restriction controls—ensuring compliance with internal data governance protocols and external regulatory audits. No cloud dependency or third-party runtime libraries are required, preserving system autonomy and cybersecurity posture.
Applications
- Quality assurance of food packaging films—evaluating shelf-life extension capability of vacuum-sealed or modified-atmosphere packages.
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging qualification—verifying OTR performance of blister lidding foils, cold-forming cavities, and sachet laminates per USP and ICH Q5C guidelines.
- Medical device sterile barrier systems—validating integrity of Tyvek®/polyethylene pouches and thermoformed trays against ISO 11607-1.
- R&D of advanced barrier coatings—quantifying efficacy of SiOₓ, AlOₓ, or nanocomposite layers applied to PET, PP, or PLA substrates.
- Photovoltaic encapsulant screening—assessing moisture/oxygen ingress resistance of EVA, POE, and ionomer-based backsheet materials.
- Electronics packaging—characterizing OTR of moisture-sensitive component carriers and anti-static shielding bags.
FAQ
What standards does the C203H comply with?
ASTM D3985 (primary), ASTM F1307, ASTM F1927 (optional), ISO 15105-2, GB/T 19789, GB/T 31354, DIN 53380-3, JIS K7126-2-B, and YBB 00082003-2015.
Is sensor calibration required before each test?
No. The coulometric sensor provides absolute OTR measurement per ASTM D3985 Section 8.2; zero and span verification are performed only during periodic maintenance or after sensor replacement.
Can the instrument test non-standard sample sizes?
Yes—custom test fixtures and MASK-area configurations (e.g., 5 cm² or 1 cm²) are available as optional accessories to accommodate small-batch R&D samples or irregular geometries.
What gas purity specifications are mandatory for operation?
Carrier gas: ≥99.999% nitrogen (oxygen impurity ≤1 ppm); permeant gas: ≥99.5% oxygen (nitrogen balance). Compressed air supply (if used for pneumatic actuation) must be oil-free and ≥550 kPa.
Does the system support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes—CFR 21 Part 11 software package is available as an optional add-on, including electronic signature workflows, audit trail generation, and user permission hierarchies.
How is temperature and humidity controlled independently on both sides of the film?
The system employs dual-path environmental conditioning: saturated gas streams are thermally equilibrated in separate heat-exchange manifolds before delivery to the permeant and carrier gas zones, enabling independent RH setpoint control within specified tolerances.
