Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gross leaks in flexible packaging containing a headspace gas. Test sensitivity is limited to 1 x 10-5 atm cm3/s (1 x 10-6 Pa m3/s) or even less sensitive as indicated in a recent interlaboratory test (reported in Section 12).
1.2 Small leaks may not be detected by this procedure. Viscoelastic effects on the products, or entrapped air, become significant and prevent passage through small openings. Positive pressure inside the pouch after the vacuum is drawn may force the product to plug small leaks. The size of the leak that can be detected is dependent upon the products contained, the nature of the packaging material, and the test parameters selected.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Historical
Publication Date
09-Dec-2002
Drafting Committee
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ASTM D3078-02 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D3078–02
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble
1
Emission
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3078; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofgrossleaks 3.1 Definition:
in flexible packaging containing a headspace gas. Test sensi- 3.1.1 leak—any opening in a flexible package that, contrary
−5 3 −6 3
tivity is limited to 1 310 atm cm /s (1 310 Pa m /s) or to intention, either allows the contents to escape or substances
even less sensitive as indicated in a recent interlaboratory test to enter.
(reported in Section 12).
4. Apparatus
1.2 Small leaks may not be detected by this procedure.
Viscoelastic effects on the products, or entrapped air, become 4.1 Vacuum Chamber—Any transparent container capable
of withstanding approximately one atmosphere pressure differ-
significant and prevent passage through small openings. Posi-
tive pressure inside the pouch after the vacuum is drawn may ential, fitted with a vacuum-tight cover. A vacuum gage, an
inlet tube from a source of vacuum, and an outlet tube to the
force the product to plug small leaks. The size of the leak that
can be detected is dependent upon the products contained, the atmosphere shall be connected to the chamber cover. The inlet
and outlet tubes shall be equipped with hand valves.Attached
nature of the packaging material, and the test parameters
selected. to the underside of the cover shall be a transparent plate that
willcloselyapproximatetheinsidedimensionsofthecontainer
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the and be such a distance from the top of the container that when
it is two-thirds filled with fluid, the attached plate will be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- positioned 1 in. (25 mm) under the fluid.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Materials
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Immersion Fluids—Use an immersion fluid which does
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: notdegradethepackagebeingtested.Fluidswithalowsurface
3
tension are generally more sensitive. Examples include water,
E425 Definitions of Terms Related to Leak Testing
E515 TestMethodforLeaksUsingBubbleEmissionTech- water treated with a wetting agent, denatured alcohol, and
mineral oil. Other possible fluids are listed in Test Method
niques
F98 Practices for Determining Hermeticity of Electron E515 and PracticesF98.
3
Devices by a Bubble Test
6. Sampling
6.1 The number of specimens used in the test sample may
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF02onFlexible
be varied according to the nature of the product, its cost, its
Barrier Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on
size, and whether the specimens are taken from a production
Package Integrity.
line in a normal packaging operation, or are few in number, or
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2002. Published February 2003. Originally
published in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 1984 as D3078–84. are to be used only for purposes of comparative evaluation of
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
procedures or materials.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
7. Test Specimen
the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn. 7.1 Flexible Package, with or without its intended contents.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D3078–02
8. Conditioning 11.1.4 Astatement of the number of specimens included in
the test and the number of failures, if any.
8.1 The test sample and test fluid shall be at equilibrium
11.1.5 Whenthetestisperformedtocheckcompliancewith
with normal room temperature.
requirements, a statement that the sample did or did not meet
9. Procedure
the requirement, and identification of the source for the
requirement.
9.1 Submerge the specimen in fluid contained in the vessel
11.1.6 When the test is conducted to evaluate or compare
within the vacuum chamber. The uppermost surface of the
products, materials, or methods, a statement of any observa-
specimen shall be covered by not less than 1 in. (25 mm) of
tions that may lead to improvem
...

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