Labthink C303H Infrared-Based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C303H |
| Measurement Principle | Infrared Detection (ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2 compliant) |
| Test Range | 0.005–40 g/(m²·day) @ 50 cm² |
| Resolution | 0.0001 g/(m²·day) |
| Repeatability | ±0.005 g/(m²·day) or ±2%, whichever is greater |
| Temperature Control | 15–50 °C (±0.05 °C stability) |
| RH Control | 5–90 %RH (±1 %RH) |
| Test Chambers | 3 independent chambers (50 cm² standard area each) |
| Sample Size | 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm |
| Max. Sample Thickness | 3 mm |
| Carrier Gas | 99.999% N₂ (user-supplied, ≥280 kPa) |
| Power Supply | 120 VAC ±10% 60 Hz / 220 VAC ±10% 50 Hz |
| Dimensions | 600 × 500 × 700 mm |
| Weight | 100 kg |
Overview
The Labthink C303H Infrared-Based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is an engineered analytical platform designed for precise, trace-level quantification of water vapor permeation through polymeric films, laminates, and rigid sheet materials. It operates on the principle of modulated infrared absorption spectroscopy—where water vapor molecules traversing a test specimen are swept by dry carrier nitrogen into a high-sensitivity IR moisture sensor. The resulting absorbance signal, linearly proportional to H₂O concentration, is converted in real time to mass flux using calibrated optical path length and flow dynamics. This non-destructive, non-consumable detection method eliminates sensor drift associated with electrochemical or capacitance-based alternatives and enables stable long-term operation under GLP-compliant conditions. The system complies fully with ASTM F1249 (Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor), ISO 15106-2 (Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of water vapour transmission rate — Part 2: Infrared detection method), GB/T 26253, JIS K7129, and YBB00092003-2015, making it suitable for regulatory submissions in pharmaceutical packaging, medical device barrier validation, and food contact material certification.
Key Features
- Triple independent test chambers (50 cm² each), enabling simultaneous, statistically independent WVTR measurements per ASTM F1249 Section 8.2—enhancing throughput without compromising inter-chamber isolation or environmental uniformity.
- Labthink proprietary infrared moisture sensor with sub-ppm detection limit, zero consumables, and operational lifetime exceeding 10 years under continuous use—validated via accelerated aging and calibration retention studies.
- 360° circumferential air circulation thermal management system delivering ±0.05 °C temperature stability across all chambers, critical for minimizing boundary-layer thermal gradients that affect diffusion kinetics.
- Integrated high-accuracy capacitive RH sensors and platinum RTD temperature probes continuously monitor and feed back to PID-controlled humidification and heating modules—ensuring dynamic maintenance of set-point humidity (5–90 %RH ±1 %RH) and temperature (15–50 °C).
- Automated sample loading mechanism with pneumatic clamping (constant 120 N force) ensures repeatable seal integrity and eliminates operator-induced variability in gasket compression—verified via helium leak testing at <1×10⁻⁹ mbar·L/s.
- Embedded industrial-grade computing module (Intel® Celeron® J1900, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB SSD) running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise—immune to external malware, supporting audit-trail-enabled data logging per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when optional CFR21Part11 package is installed.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C303H accommodates flat, non-porous, and semi-crystalline barrier materials up to 3 mm thick—including biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) coextrusions, metallized PET, aluminum foil laminates, PVDC-coated paperboard, silicone-rubber sheets, and thin-film photovoltaic encapsulants. Its 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm sample aperture supports standard die-cutting per ISO 2556 and ASTM D3985. All fluidic pathways are constructed from electropolished 316 stainless steel and PTFE-lined fittings to prevent adsorption artifacts. The instrument meets mechanical safety standards IEC 61010-1 and electromagnetic compatibility per EN 61326-1. Optional GMP Computer System Validation (CSV) documentation packages are available for pharmaceutical QC laboratories requiring IQ/OQ/PQ protocols aligned with Annex 11 and EU GMP Chapter 4.
Software & Data Management
Control and analysis are executed via Labthink’s proprietary BarrierTest™ v4.2 software—installed on the integrated 12-inch industrial touchscreen. The interface supports fully automated test sequencing: users define temperature, RH, and duration; the system autonomously regulates gas flows (humidified N₂ on test side, dry N₂ sweep on sensor side), acquires raw IR voltage signals at 10 Hz, applies Savitzky-Golay smoothing and baseline correction, and computes WVTR using Fick’s first law with real-time diffusivity compensation. All raw sensor outputs, environmental logs, and calculated results are timestamped and stored in encrypted SQLite databases with immutable audit trails. Export formats include CSV, PDF reports (with digital signatures), and XML for LIMS integration. Optional DataShield™ module provides role-based access control, electronic signatures, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records—including operator login history, parameter change logs, and result modification tracking.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging: blister foil lamination integrity verification per USP , desiccant pouch barrier performance, and child-resistant pouch WVTR qualification.
- FDA-regulated medical device packaging: sterile barrier system (SBS) validation per ISO 11607-1, including Tyvek®/polyethylene pouches and thermoformed trays.
- Food packaging R&D: comparative evaluation of bio-based films (PLA, PHA), nanocomposite barriers, and vacuum-sealed meat tray liners.
- Flexible electronics encapsulation: moisture ingress modeling for OLED lighting panels, perovskite solar cells, and thin-film transistor substrates.
- Regulatory dossier support: generation of GLP-compliant test reports accepted by EMA, PMDA, Health Canada, and ANVISA for marketing authorization applications.
FAQ
What standards does the C303H comply with?
ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2, GB/T 26253, JIS K7129, and YBB00092003-2015.
Is nitrogen gas supplied with the instrument?
No—99.999% pure nitrogen must be provided externally at ≥280 kPa inlet pressure via 1/8″ stainless steel tubing.
Can the system perform single-chamber testing only?
Yes—any one or two chambers can be deactivated independently while maintaining full metrological validity for the active chamber(s).
What is the minimum detectable WVTR value?
0.005 g/(m²·day) at 50 cm² test area, verified using ultra-low-permeability reference films traceable to NIST SRM 2811.
Does the system support custom test area configurations?
Yes—optional MASK fixtures enable 5 cm² and 1 cm² test areas for high-permeability materials or limited-sample scenarios, with automatic area-scaling applied in calculations.
Is remote monitoring or network connectivity supported?
Standard Ethernet port enables local network access for file export and remote desktop (via pre-approved IT policies); no cloud connectivity is enabled by default to preserve data sovereignty.
