Labthink C230H Oxygen Permeation Analyzer (Isobaric Method)
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | OEM Manufacturer |
| Model | C230H |
| Test Principle | Isobaric Method with Coulometric Oxygen Sensor |
| Standards Compliance | ASTM D3985, ASTM F1307, ASTM F1927, GB/T 19789, GB/T 31354, DIN 53380-3, JIS K7126-2-B, YBB 00082003-2015 |
| Measurement Range | 0.01–200 cm³/(m²·day) [film], 0.0007–12.9 cc/(100 in²·day), 0.00005–1 cm³/(pkg·day) [package] |
| Resolution | 0.001 cm³/(m²·day) |
| Repeatability | ±0.01 cm³/(m²·day) or ±2%, whichever is greater |
| Test Temperature | 10–55 °C ±0.2 °C |
| RH Control | 0%, 5–90% ±1% (O₂ side), 100% RH option |
| Carrier Gas Humidity | 0%, 5–90% ±2% (optional) |
| Sample Area | 50 cm² |
| Max Sample Size | 108 mm × 108 mm |
| Max Thickness | ≤3 mm |
| Test Chamber Count | 3 |
| Package Testing Capacity | Up to 3 L |
| Carrier Gas | ≥99.999% N₂, inlet pressure ≥0.28 MPa (40.6 psi) |
| Gas Interface | 1/8″ stainless steel tubing |
| Optional Modules | DataShield™ Audit Trail, CFR 21 Part 11 Compliance, GMP Computer System Validation Support |
Overview
The Labthink C230H Oxygen Permeation Analyzer is an isobaric-method instrumentation system engineered for precise, trace-level quantification of oxygen transmission through polymeric films, rigid sheets, and intact packaging structures. It operates on the fundamental principle of coulometric oxygen detection: oxygen molecules permeating across a conditioned specimen are swept by ultra-high-purity nitrogen carrier gas into a galvanic coulometric sensor, where oxygen is electrochemically reduced at a constant potential. The resulting current is linearly proportional to the molar flow rate of O₂, enabling direct calculation of oxygen transmission rate (OTR) in standardized units (cm³/m²·day or cm³/pkg·day). Unlike differential-pressure methods, the isobaric configuration maintains equal total pressure on both sides of the test specimen—eliminating stress-induced artifacts and ensuring measurement fidelity for low-permeability barrier materials such as metallized PET, SiOₓ-coated PP, PVDC-laminates, and AlOx-coated solar backsheet substrates. Designed in strict alignment with ASTM D3985 (standard test method for oxygen gas transmission rate through plastic film and sheeting using a coulometric sensor), the C230H delivers metrologically traceable data suitable for regulatory submissions, shelf-life modeling, and QC/QA release testing.
Key Features
- Triple-test-chamber architecture enables parallel evaluation of up to three specimens under identical environmental conditions—improving throughput without compromising inter-chamber reproducibility.
- Integrated temperature control system maintains chamber setpoints from 10 °C to 55 °C with ±0.2 °C stability, supporting accelerated aging protocols and real-world storage condition simulation.
- Independent humidity control on the oxygen-exposed side (0%, 5–90% ±1% RH, or 100% RH) allows investigation of moisture-dependent permeation behavior—critical for hygroscopic polymers like EVOH or PVA-based coatings.
- High-resolution coulometric sensor achieves a detection limit of 0.001 cm³/(m²·day), validated against NIST-traceable O₂ permeation standards.
- Modular hardware design supports seamless integration of optional compliance packages—including DataShield™ secure audit trail generation and configurable electronic signatures aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
- Dual-mode operation accommodates both flat specimens (max 108 mm × 108 mm, ≤3 mm thick) and 3D packages (up to 3 L volume), with dedicated fixturing for bottles, pouches, trays, and blister cavities.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C230H accepts a broad spectrum of industrial materials: flexible films (OPP, BOPP, PET, PE, PA, CPP), coated substrates (K-coated paperboard, SiOx-PET, AlOx-PET), laminates (aluminum foil composites, metallized CPP), rigid sheets (PP, PVC, PVDC, aluminum foil, silicone rubber), and finished packages (vacuum-sealed pouches, HDPE bottles, aluminum collapsible tubes, thermoformed trays). Its mechanical clamping system ensures uniform gasket compression and leak-tight sealing across variable geometries. Regulatory alignment includes full support for ASTM F1307 (packaging), ASTM F1927 (high-barrier films), GB/T 31354 (Chinese food-contact packaging), and YBB 00082003-2015 (pharmaceutical packaging). All firmware and software modules undergo periodic verification per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 5.9.1, and raw data files retain immutable timestamps, operator IDs, and environmental logs required for GLP and GMP audits.
Software & Data Management
Control and analysis are executed via Labthink’s proprietary OX-TEST v4.x platform—a Windows-based application compliant with IEC 62304 Class B software safety requirements. The interface provides real-time OTR curve visualization, automatic endpoint detection based on signal stabilization criteria (±0.5% over 30 min), and batch report generation in PDF/XLSX formats with embedded metadata (test ID, calibration certificate number, environmental log, operator signature). DataShield™ module enforces ALCOA+ principles: attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available. Electronic records include SHA-256 hash validation, role-based access control (RBAC), and configurable retention policies. Optional CFR 21 Part 11 add-on delivers electronic signature workflows, audit trail review tools, and system validation documentation packages for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
Applications
- Food packaging R&D: Quantifying OTR of snack pouches, coffee bags, and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) films to predict oxidative rancidity onset.
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging: Validating OTR of cold-form blisters, child-resistant closures, and desiccant-containing bottles per USP and Ph. Eur. 5.3.
- PV module encapsulation: Measuring oxygen ingress through ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and POE encapsulants to assess potential PID (potential-induced degradation) risk.
- Aerospace & automotive: Evaluating fuel tank liner permeability (e.g., nylon-6/PA6 blends) per SAE J1737 and ISO 11600.
- Battery enclosure qualification: Assessing O₂ diffusion through lithium-ion battery cell housings to mitigate electrolyte oxidation and SEI layer instability.
- Regulatory dossier preparation: Generating test reports admissible for FDA 510(k), CE Marking (MDR Annex II), and CFDA registration dossiers.
FAQ
What is the minimum detectable OTR value for film testing?
The instrument achieves a resolution of 0.001 cm³/(m²·day) under standard conditions (23 °C, 0% RH on N₂ side), verified using certified low-permeability reference films.
Can the C230H test non-planar packages without custom fixtures?
Yes—the system includes universal package adapters accommodating cylindrical, rectangular, and irregularly shaped containers up to 3 L volume; no machining or bespoke tooling is required for standard configurations.
Is carrier gas purity critical for measurement accuracy?
Absolutely. Use of ≥99.999% N₂ is mandatory to avoid background O₂ interference; impurities >1 ppm will elevate baseline signal and compromise repeatability below 1 cm³/(m²·day).
How does the C230H handle humidity-controlled testing when evaluating hydrophilic barrier layers?
The O₂-side RH chamber employs chilled-mirror dew point control with closed-loop feedback, maintaining setpoints within ±1% RH tolerance across the 5–90% range—essential for characterizing EVOH or PVOH performance decay under humid conditions.
Does the system support IQ/OQ/PQ documentation for GMP environments?
Yes—Labthink provides vendor-supplied qualification protocols, factory-verified calibration certificates, and on-site installation/commissioning support aligned with Annex 15 and ASTM E2500.
