Labthink C306H Six-Chamber Infrared Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester
| Brand | Labthink |
|---|---|
| Model | C306H |
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Price Range | USD 14,000 – 57,000 |
| Test Principle | Infrared Detection (ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2) |
| Test Range | 0.02–40 g/(m²·day) @ 50 cm² |
| Resolution | 0.0001 g/(m²·day) |
| Repeatability | ±0.02 g/(m²·day) or ±2%, whichever is greater |
| Temperature Range | 15–50 °C (optional: 5–60 °C) |
| Temp. Stability | ±0.15 °C |
| RH Range | 5–90 %RH ±2% (at standard temp.) / 100 %RH |
| Chamber Count | 6 independent test chambers |
| Standard Test Area | 50 cm² |
| Sample Size | 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm |
| Max. Sample Thickness | 3 mm |
| Carrier Gas | 99.999% N₂ (user-supplied) |
| Gas Inlet Pressure | ≥280 kPa |
| Power Supply | 120 VAC ±10% 60 Hz / 220 VAC ±10% 50 Hz |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 600 mm × 490 mm × 660 mm |
| Net Weight | 100 kg |
Overview
The Labthink C306H Six-Chamber Infrared Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is an engineered solution for high-precision, high-throughput measurement of water vapor permeation through packaging and functional barrier materials. It operates on the principle of infrared moisture detection—where water vapor diffusing across a conditioned specimen is swept by dry carrier nitrogen to a non-consumable, long-life infrared sensor. The resulting absorbance signal is linearly correlated to water vapor concentration, enabling trace-level quantification per ASTM F1249 and ISO 15106-2. Unlike gravimetric or electrolytic methods, this optical detection architecture eliminates sensor drift, consumable replacement, and calibration frequency constraints—delivering stable baseline performance over extended operational lifecycles. Designed specifically for R&D labs, QC departments, and regulatory-compliant manufacturing environments, the C306H supports rigorous material qualification in food packaging, pharmaceutical blister lidding, medical device pouches, photovoltaic encapsulants, and protective textile laminates.
Key Features
- Six fully independent test chambers with standardized 50 cm² exposure area—triple the throughput of conventional single- or dual-chamber instruments.
- Labthink proprietary infrared moisture sensor: non-depleting, factory-calibrated, with detection limit down to 0.02 g/(m²·day) and resolution of 0.0001 g/(m²·day).
- Rainbow Bridge™ test chamber design featuring 360° circumferential air circulation and PID-controlled thermal uniformity (±0.15 °C stability across full 15–50 °C operating range).
- Integrated high-accuracy relative humidity sensors within each chamber for real-time environmental monitoring and closed-loop humidity control (5–90 %RH ±2%).
- Automated sample clamping mechanism ensuring consistent compressive force, leak-tight sealing, and operator-independent positioning.
- 12-inch industrial-grade Windows touch tablet with intuitive GUI; embedded Labthink industrial computer eliminates OS vulnerability risks and ensures data integrity under continuous operation.
- Full automation workflow: enter temperature/humidity setpoints → initiate test → system manages gas flow, chamber conditioning, data acquisition, and pass/fail evaluation without intervention.
- Acoustic-optical lid status feedback and over-limit alarm with automatic shutdown protection for sensor and sample integrity.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C306H accommodates rigid and flexible planar specimens up to 3 mm thick and 11.2 cm × 11.2 cm in dimension—including polymer films (e.g., PET, PE, PP, EVOH), metallized laminates (AlOx, SiOx, Al foil composites), coated papers, rubber sheets, silicon wafers, and multilayer medical packaging substrates. Its modular chamber configuration permits optional MASK-area adapters (5 cm² and 1 cm²) for high-permeability or micro-sample applications. Regulatory alignment includes full traceability to ASTM F1249 (for plastic film and sheeting), ISO 15106-2 (infrared detection method), GB/T 26253 (Chinese national standard), JIS K7129 (Japanese industrial standard), and YBB00092003-2015 (Chinese pharmaceutical packaging standard). Optional CFR 21 Part 11 compliance packages support audit-ready electronic records, role-based access control, and immutable audit trails for GMP/GLP environments.
Software & Data Management
Labthink’s proprietary WinWVTR software provides comprehensive instrument control, real-time visualization of WVTR kinetics, statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV%), and customizable reporting per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. All raw sensor output, environmental logs (T/RH/flow), and calculation parameters are timestamped and stored locally on the embedded industrial PC with encrypted backup capability. Export formats include CSV, PDF, and XML for LIMS integration. The DataShield™ add-on module enables AES-256 encryption, digital signature validation, and automated report generation with electronic signatures—meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 expectations for data governance in regulated industries.
Applications
- Barrier performance validation of flexible food packaging films under accelerated shelf-life modeling conditions.
- Comparative WVTR screening of pharmaceutical blister cavity lidding materials (cold-forming aluminum, PVC/PVDC, push-through foils).
- Quality control of sterile barrier systems (SBS) used in Class II/III medical devices per ISO 11607-1.
- Encapsulant durability assessment for solar modules exposed to humid tropical climates.
- Functional textile evaluation—including waterproof-breathable membranes (ePTFE, PU coatings) used in outdoor protective apparel per ISO 15496 and ASTM F1868.
- Development of high-barrier OLED substrate films requiring sub-10⁻⁶ g/(m²·day) sensitivity—achievable via optional low-range calibration kits.
FAQ
What standards does the C306H comply with?
The instrument is designed and verified against ASTM F1249, ISO 15106-2, GB/T 26253, JIS K7129, and YBB00092003-2015. Optional software modules extend compliance to 21 CFR Part 11 and EU GMP Annex 11.
Is nitrogen gas supplied with the system?
No. Users must provide 99.999% high-purity nitrogen from an external source at ≥280 kPa inlet pressure. A dedicated gas regulator and filtration unit are recommended for optimal sensor longevity.
Can the C306H test irregular or non-planar samples?
It is validated exclusively for flat, dimensionally stable specimens ≤3 mm thick. Curved, porous, or highly hygroscopic materials require pre-conditioning per ISO 2528 and may necessitate custom fixturing not included in standard configuration.
How is data security ensured during long-term testing campaigns?
The embedded industrial PC runs a locked-down Windows OS with no external network ports. Data resides in encrypted local storage; optional DataShield™ adds FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption, electronic signatures, and tamper-evident audit logs.
What maintenance is required for the infrared sensor?
None—this is a solid-state, non-consumable optical detector with no moving parts or replaceable elements. Routine verification using certified reference films (NIST-traceable) is recommended annually or per internal SOP.
