Gas barrier properties

Do you need to test the functionality of your packaging or packaging material?

Packaging has many useful functions, including its primary goals of holding products and food, protecting their internal qualities, preserving their initial characteristics, protecting them during distribution and home storage, maintaining food’s shelf life and preserving food safety. Any packaging problem can produce a functionality failure, which could compromise the product or the food inside.

Gas transmission rate testing

At AIMPLAS, we offer different solutions to determine the gas barrier properties of packaging materials and product packages. Gas barrier properties are determined based on the specific need and the future application of the packaging material.

Oxygen transmission rate (OTR)

Oxygen causes many foods to spoil because it causes the oxidation of lipids (rancidity) and accelerates the senescence of fresh vegetable products, thus enhancing the growth of most microorganisms.

At AIMPLAS, we perform OTR testing on films at 0% relative humidity in accordance with standard ASTM D3985, and at up to 90% relative humidity in accordance with standard ASTM F1927. We also test packaging at room temperature and humidity conditions (23°C and 50% relative humidity) in accordance with standard ASTM F1307.

Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR)

Maintaining water activity in certain foods is essential to preserve the shelf life and sensory properties in certain food products. At AIMPLAS, we are fully equipped to measure the water vapour transmission rate at different temperatures and relative humidities, although 38°C and 90% or 100% relative humidity are the most common. These tests are performed in accordance with standard ASTM F1249. We also test product packages at ambient temperature and relative humidity conditions (23°C and 50% relative humidity).

Carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO₂TR)

Carbon dioxide is commonly used in modified atmosphere packaging and is also a product of plant respiration. Depending on the product to be packaged, it will be important for the carbon dioxide to stay inside the package (MAP) or be able to diffuse the packaging material. That will make it necessary to determine the transmission rate of this gas in the packaging material or product package. At AIMPLAS, we collaborate with laboratories to perform this test.

Nitrogen transmission rate (N₂TR)

Nitrogen is an inert gas widely used in MAP to displace other gases that can spoil food. It may therefore be necessary to determine the gas barrier properties of the packaging material or product package in relation to this gas. At AIMPLAS, we collaborate with laboratories to perform this test.