Measuring vapour permeability

Paul Boughton

Versaperm has launched a new laboratory version of its technically advanced permeability measuring system that is faster, more accurate and more versatile than ever before.

Vapour permeability measurements are widely used in almost every industry as they play a safety-critical quality role in many real-life applications. Uses range from printing presses to underground electronics and from hospital equipment to the oil industry, missiles, textiles and airbrakes.

Permeability also controls properties such as the shelf-life of pharmaceuticals and foods.

The new system enables a laboratory to measure the permeability of almost any material against virtually any gas - from water vapour to hydrocarbons and from solvents through to Hydrogen, Oxygen and CO2. Not only that but it also offers highly variable temperature (over a 1000˚C range) and pressure option.

An array of different sensors using different physical principals, enable Versaperm's equipment to characterise an ever expanding range of materials, compounds, containers, products and laminates.

The permeability meter is highly automated and can cope with several samples at a time.  It needs very little re-calibration and requires, at most, minimal training. Sensitivities depend on sensors, gasses and materials but are usually in the PPM (Parts Per Million) range, PPB for some materials. Results are both accurate and highly repeatable.

Versaperm also offers a consultancy service for laboratories that need to measure permeability of complex new materials and assemblages.

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