Labthink C390H Infrared-Based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester for Hollow Containers

Overview

The Labthink C390H Infrared-Based Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed for quantitative determination of water vapor permeation through both flat materials and rigid or semi-rigid hollow containers—such as PET beverage bottles, pharmaceutical blister packs, IV bags, and electronic packaging enclosures. It operates on the principle of modulated infrared absorption spectroscopy: water vapor molecules traversing a test specimen are swept by dry carrier nitrogen into an optical detection chamber, where their concentration is quantified via characteristic IR absorbance at 2.6 µm. This non-destructive, real-time analytical method ensures high sensitivity, low drift, and minimal interference from background gases—critical attributes for regulatory-grade barrier testing in controlled environments.

Key Features

• Triple-cavity integrated test block: Patented monolithic aluminum manifold with thermally optimized flow paths minimizes inter-chamber variance in temperature (±0.1 °C), humidity (±0.5 % RH), and gas velocity (<±1% flow deviation), enabling statistically robust parallel testing per ASTM E177 and ISO 5725 guidelines.
• Self-scaling infrared moisture sensor: Labthink-developed dual-beam IR detector with auto-ranging capability eliminates manual range selection and reference membrane calibration; calibration interval extended to ≥12 months under routine use.
• Independent environmental monitoring: Each chamber equipped with dedicated Pt100 temperature sensors and capacitive RH probes, feeding real-time feedback to PID-controlled thermal and humidification subsystems.
• Full automation architecture: Integrated Windows 10-based control tablet (12″ capacitive touchscreen) manages all operational sequences—including chamber conditioning, leak verification, dynamic equilibrium detection, and endpoint validation—without operator intervention.
• Container-specific test mode: Supports inverted or upright orientation of packages up to 3 L volume; internal dry N₂ purge combined with external saturated humidity environment replicates real-world storage conditions per ISO 15106-2 Annex B.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C390H accommodates diverse geometries: planar films (PET, PE, AlOx-coated PET, SiOx-laminates), laminated sheets, coated papers, and three-dimensional containers—including carbonated beverage bottles, pharmaceutical HDPE vials, and sterile medical device pouches. Its mechanical clamping system applies uniform 250 kPa contact pressure across the entire 50 cm² test area while accommodating thicknesses up to 3 mm. All hardware and firmware comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements for testing laboratories, and optional qualification packages support IQ/OQ/PQ execution per FDA Guidance for Industry (2022) and EU Annex 11. The system meets essential performance criteria defined in ASTM F1249 (for film) and ISO 15106-2 (for containers), including linearity verification across full dynamic range and blank correction protocols for system background permeation.

Software & Data Management

DataShield™ is a validated, audit-trail-enabled data management suite compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 when configured with electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable record retention. It supports ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) through timestamped metadata logging for every parameter change, calibration event, and test run. Export formats include CSV, PDF reports (with embedded digital signatures), and XML for LIMS integration. Network options include standard Ethernet (TCP/IP), optional Wi-Fi module (IEEE 802.11ac), and OPC UA server interface for MES/SCADA connectivity. All software modules undergo annual cybersecurity patching and are validated against IEC 62443-3-3 industrial security standards.

Applications

• Quality control of PET preforms and blow-molded bottles for soft drink and dairy applications, verifying shelf-life predictions under accelerated aging protocols.
• Regulatory submission support for pharmaceutical primary packaging—particularly for moisture-sensitive lyophilized products and desiccant-containing blisters.
• Development validation of high-barrier coatings (e.g., DLC, SiO_x, AlO_x) on flexible electronics encapsulation substrates.
• Comparative WVTR benchmarking of biodegradable packaging films (PLA, PHA, cellulose derivatives) under varying RH/temperature stress conditions.
• In-process monitoring of coating uniformity and defect detection in roll-to-roll barrier deposition lines via rapid spot-check testing.

FAQ

What standards does the C390H directly support?
ASTM F1249 (film), ISO 15106-2 (containers), GB/T 26253 (China national standard), JIS K7129 (Japan), and YBB00092003-2015 (Chinese pharmaceutical packaging standard).
Can the system test both flat samples and bottles simultaneously?
No—each test configuration requires dedicated fixture setup; however, switching between film and container modes is accomplished via tool-free mechanical reconfiguration in <5 minutes.
Is external gas purification required for the nitrogen supply?
Yes: 99.999% purity N₂ must be delivered free of hydrocarbons and moisture; Labthink recommends inline filters (0.01 µm particulate + activated carbon + desiccant) upstream of the instrument inlet.
How is system performance verified between calibrations?
Using certified reference standards traceable to NIST SRM 1477 (polyethylene film); daily system suitability checks include zero-gas baseline stability, span-gas response linearity, and chamber leak integrity (≤1×10⁻⁶ mbar·L/s).
Does the C390H support unattended overnight operation?
Yes—fully automated test sequencing, thermal/humidity ramping, and pass/fail logic triggering enable lights-out operation with email/SMS alerting upon completion or fault condition.