ASTM F2714-08(2013)

Standard Test Method for Oxygen Headspace Analysis of Packages Using Fluorescent Decay

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The oxygen content of a package’s headspace is an important determinant of the packaging protection afforded by barrier materials. The package under test is typically MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) packaged.  
3.2 Oxygen content is a key contributor to off-flavors and spoilage of various products, such as chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals.  
3.3 The method determines the oxygen in a closed package headspace. This ability has application in:  
3.3.1 Package Permeability Studies—The change of headspace composition over a known length of time allows the calculation of permeation. Since the headspace oxygen is measured as a percentage, the volume of the container’s headspace must be known to allow conversion into a quantity such as millilitres (ml) of oxygen. The use of this approach to measure permeation generally applies to empty package systems only as oxygen uptake or outgassing of contained products could affect results.  
3.3.2 Leak Detection—If the headspace contains more oxygen than expected or is increasing faster than expected, a leak can be suspected. A wide variety of techniques can be employed to verify that a leak is present and to identify its location. If necessary or of interest, a leak rate may be calculated with known headspace volume and measured oxygen concentration change over time.  
3.3.3 Efficacy of the MAP Packaging Process—If the headspace oxygen concentration is found to be higher than expected soon after packaging, the gas flushing process may not be working as well as expected. Various techniques can evaluate whether the MAP system is functioning properly.  
3.3.4 Storage Studies—As the method is non-destructive, the headspace can be monitored over time on individual samples to insure that results of storage studies such as shelf life testing are correctly interpreted.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the oxygen concentration in the headspace within a sealed package without opening or compromising the integrity of the package.  
1.2 This test method requires that chemically coated components be placed on the inside surface of the package before closing.  
1.3 The package must be either transparent, translucent, or a transparent window must be affixed to the package surface without affecting the package’s integrity.  
1.4 As this test method determines the oxygen headspace over time, the oxygen permeability can easily be calculated as ingress per unit time as long as the volume of the container is known.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2013
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.40 - Package Integrity

Standards Content (Sample)

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: F2714 − 08 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Headspace Analysis of Packages Using Fluorescent
1
Decay
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2714; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.4 The fluorescent response from the dot is monitored and
the decay rate determined.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination
of the oxygen concentration in the headspace within a sealed
2.5 The internal oxygen content of the package is deter-
package without opening or compromising the integrity of the
mined by comparing the measured decay rate to the decay rate
package.
observed with known oxygen concentrations.
1.2 This test method requires that chemically coated com-
3. Significance and Use
ponents be placed on the inside surface of the package before
closing.
3.1 The oxygen content of a package’s headspace is an
important determinant of the packaging protection afforded by
1.3 The package must be either transparent, translucent, or a
barrier materials. The package under test is typically MAP
transparent window must be affixed to the package surface
(modified atmosphere packaging) packaged.
without affecting the package’s integrity.
3.2 Oxygen content is a key contributor to off-flavors and
1.4 As this test method determines the oxygen headspace
spoilage of various products, such as chemicals, food and
over time, the oxygen permeability can easily be calculated as
pharmaceuticals.
ingress per unit time as long as the volume of the container is
known.
3.3 The method determines the oxygen in a closed package
headspace. This ability has application in:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3.3.1 Package Permeability Studies—The change of head-
standard. space composition over a known length of time allows the
calculation of permeation. Since the headspace oxygen is
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measured as a percentage, the volume of the container’s
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
headspace must be known to allow conversion into a quantity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
such as millilitres (ml) of oxygen. The use of this approach to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
measure permeation generally applies to empty package sys-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tems only as oxygen uptake or outgassing of contained
2. Summary of Test Method products could affect results.
3.3.2 Leak Detection—If the headspace contains more oxy-
2.1 Chemically coated components (dots) are affixed to the
gen than expected or is increasing faster than expected, a leak
inside surface of the package to be tested.
can be suspected. A wide variety of techniques can be
2.2 The package is gas flushed to a reduced level of oxygen
employed to verify that a leak is present and to identify its
either manually or by subjecting the package to a filling
location. If necessary or of interest, a leak rate may be
operation.
calculated with known headspace volume and measured oxy-
2.3 Apulsing light source is directed through the package at
gen concentration change over time.
the chemically treated dot (the package must be transparent,
3.3.3 Effıcacy of the MAP Packaging Process—If the head-
translucent or contain a window through which the light can
spaceoxygenconcentrationisfoundtobehigherthanexpected
pass).
soon after packaging, the gas flushing process may not be
working as well as expected. Various techniques can evaluate
1
whether the MAP system is functioning properly.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F02 on Flexible
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on
3.3.4 Storage Studies—As the method is non-destructive,
Package Integrity Test Methods.
the headspace can be monitored over time on individual
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2013. Published September 2013. Originally
samples to insure that results of storage studies such as shelf
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F2714 – 08. DOI:
10.1520/F2714-08R13. life testing are correctly interpreted.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F2714 − 08 (2013)
4. Discussion lifetime proportional to the oxygen partial pressure. The
fluorescence lifetime will decrease from 5 µs in an oxygen free
4.1 Oxygen sensing ba
...