Labthink C303H Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C303H |
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Test Range | 0.005–40 g/(m²·day) (50 cm²), 0.005–100 g/(m²·day) (50 cm²), 0.05–400 g/(m²·day) (5 cm² mask), 0.25–2000 g/(m²·day) (1 cm² mask) |
| Resolution | 0.0001 g/(m²·day) |
| Repeatability | ±0.005 g/(m²·day) or ±2%, whichever is greater |
| Temperature Range | 15–50 °C (standard), optional 5–60 °C |
| Temp. Stability | ±0.05 °C |
| RH Range | 5–90 %RH ±1 %RH |
| Test Area | 50 cm² (standard), 5 cm² / 1 cm² (optional masks) |
| Sample Size | 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm |
| Max. Thickness | 3 mm |
| Carrier Gas | ≥99.999% N₂, ≥280 kPa inlet pressure |
| Power Supply | 120 VAC ±10% 60 Hz / 220 VAC ±10% 50 Hz |
| Dimensions | 600 × 500 × 700 mm |
| Weight | 100 kg |
| Compliance | ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2, GB/T 26253, JIS K7129, YBB00092003-2015 |
Overview
The Labthink C303H Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for quantitative determination of water vapor permeation through polymeric films, laminates, and rigid sheets under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. It operates on the principle of modulated infrared (IR) moisture detection—where water vapor diffusing across a test specimen is swept by dry carrier nitrogen to an IR sensor, generating a photometric signal proportional to vapor concentration. This gravimetrically traceable, non-consumptive sensing method ensures long-term calibration stability and eliminates sensor drift associated with electrochemical or capacitance-based alternatives. The system conforms rigorously to ASTM F1249 (Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor) and ISO 15106-2 (Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of water vapour transmission rate — Part 2: Infrared detection method), making it suitable for regulatory submissions in pharmaceutical packaging, medical device barrier validation, and food contact material compliance.
Key Features
- Triple independent test chambers (50 cm² each), enabling simultaneous, statistically independent measurements per ASTM F1249’s requirement for replicate testing;
- Proprietary high-sensitivity IR moisture sensor with detection limit down to 0.005 g/(m²·day), certified non-degrading over >10,000 hours of operation;
- 360° circumferential air circulation thermal management system, achieving ±0.05 °C temperature uniformity across all chambers;
- Integrated high-accuracy RH and temperature sensors (traceable to NIST standards) with real-time logging at 1-second intervals;
- Automated sample clamping mechanism ensuring consistent compressive force (±2.5 N) and leak-tight sealing—critical for low-permeability materials;
- Dedicated industrial-grade embedded computer (Windows OS) with 12-inch capacitive touchscreen, eliminating third-party PC vulnerabilities and supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when optional DataShield™ module is installed;
- Drawer-style chamber actuation with position feedback, audible/visual confirmation, and interlocked safety cutoff during insertion/removal;
- Full automation workflow: user inputs target T/RH setpoints → system self-calibrates gas flows, stabilizes environment → initiates test → computes WVTR → exports raw + processed data in CSV/PDF formats.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C303H accommodates flat, non-porous, and semi-crystalline barrier materials up to 3 mm thickness—including biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) coextrusions, metallized PET, aluminum foil laminates, PVDC-coated paperboard, silicone-rubber composites, and thin-film photovoltaic encapsulants. Its standardized 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm sample aperture complies with ISO 15106-2 Annex A and ASTM F1249 Section 7.2. Optional mask kits (1 cm² and 5 cm²) extend applicability to high-permeability substrates (e.g., hydrogels, breathable nonwovens) without dilution error. All hardware and firmware are validated per IQ/OQ protocols; full documentation packages—including Design Qualification (DQ), Risk Assessment (RA), and Traceability Matrix—are available upon request for GMP/GLP-regulated environments.
Software & Data Management
Labthink’s proprietary WinWVTR software provides role-based access control, electronic signature support, and configurable data retention policies aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements. Each test record includes timestamped metadata: ambient lab conditions, gas purity logs, sensor diagnostics, chamber pressure differentials, and real-time permeation curves. Raw IR voltage outputs are archived alongside calculated WVTR values, enabling retrospective reprocessing using alternate baseline algorithms. Data export supports LIMS integration via HL7 or ASTM E1384-compliant XML schema. Optional CFR 21 Part 11 Add-on enables biometric login, immutable audit trail generation, and electronic record archiving compliant with ICH M5 and WHO TRS 992 Annex 5.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical primary packaging: blister foil lamination integrity, cold-form foil WVTR qualification per USP and Ph. Eur. 5.3;
- Medical device pouches: validation of Tyvek®/PET-PE peelable seals against ISO 11607-1 Annex B;
- Food packaging R&D: comparative analysis of bio-based PLA films vs. conventional LDPE under accelerated shelf-life conditions;
- Flexible electronics: moisture ingress modeling for OLED encapsulation layers and perovskite solar cell barriers;
- Regulatory dossier preparation: generation of GLP-compliant reports for FDA 510(k), CE Marking (MDR Annex II), and CFDA registration.
FAQ
What carrier gas is required, and why must it be ≥99.999% pure nitrogen?
High-purity nitrogen prevents interference from atmospheric CO₂ and hydrocarbons that absorb IR radiation at wavelengths overlapping H₂O absorption bands (2.5–3.0 µm), ensuring spectral specificity and measurement fidelity.
Can the C303H test edge-sealed or heat-sealed samples?
Yes—provided seal geometry allows full exposure of the defined 50 cm² test area and does not compromise chamber vacuum integrity; custom fixtures are available for irregular geometries.
Is temperature ramping supported during a single test cycle?
No—the C303H maintains isothermal-isohygrometric conditions per ASTM F1249; multi-condition profiling requires sequential discrete tests.
How is sensor calibration verified between scheduled maintenance intervals?
Built-in zero-gas (dry N₂) and span-gas (certified H₂O/N₂ mixture) verification routines are executed automatically at startup and can be triggered manually; calibration certificates include uncertainty budgets per ISO/IEC 17025.
Does the system support remote monitoring or networked deployment?
Yes—via Ethernet interface with static IP assignment; optional Labthink Cloud Connect enables encrypted telemetry, predictive maintenance alerts, and centralized fleet management across global sites.
