ASTM F3039-13
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Detecting Leaks in Nonporous Packaging or Flexible Barrier Materials by Dye Penetration
Standard Test Method for Detecting Leaks in Nonporous Packaging or Flexible Barrier Materials by Dye Penetration
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Contaminants may enter the package through leaks. Alternatively, product may be lost from the package through leaks. These leaks are frequently found at seals between package components of the same or dissimilar materials.
4.2 Ingress or egress of gas or moisture through leaks in a package can also degrade sensitive contents.
4.3 There is no general agreement concerning the level of leakage that is likely to be deleterious to a particular package. However, since these tests are designed to detect leakage, components that exhibit any indication of leakage may be rejected.
4.4 These procedures are suitable for use to verify and locate leakage sites. They are not quantitative. No indication of leak size can be inferred from the test. Therefore, this method is employed as a go/no-go test.
4.5 This test is destructive. All package or component test samples exposed to dye penetration testing may not be used for final product packaging.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method defines a procedure that will detect and locate a leak equal to or greater than a channel formed by a 50 µm [0.002 in.] wire in the edge seals of a nonporous package. A dye penetrant solution is applied locally to the seal edge to be tested for leaks. After contact with the dye penetrant for a minimum specified time, the package is visually inspected for dye penetration or, preferably, the seal edge is placed against an absorbent surface and the surface inspected for staining from the dye.
1.2 This test method is used for both transparent and opaque nonporous surfaces.
1.3 This test method requires that the dye penetrant have good contrast to the materials being tested and/or the absorbent surface.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 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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Designation: F3039 − 13
StandardTest Method for
Detecting Leaks in Nonporous Packaging or Flexible Barrier
Materials by Dye Penetration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3039; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 ANSI Standards:
Z1.4Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by
1.1 Thistestmethoddefinesaprocedurethatwilldetectand
Attributes
locate a leak equal to or greater than a channel formed by a 50
µm [0.002 in.] wire in the edge seals of a nonporous package.
3. Terminology
A dye penetrant solution is applied locally to the seal edge to
3.1 Definitions:
be tested for leaks. After contact with the dye penetrant for a
3.1.1 dye penetrant—an aqueous solution of a dye and a
minimum specified time, the package is visually inspected for
surfactant designed to penetrate and indicate a defect.
dyepenetrationor,preferably,thesealedgeisplacedagainstan
absorbent surface and the surface inspected for staining from
4. Significance and Use
the dye.
4.1 Contaminants may enter the package through leaks.
1.2 Thistestmethodisusedforbothtransparentandopaque
Alternatively, product may be lost from the package through
nonporous surfaces.
leaks. These leaks are frequently found at seals between
1.3 This test method requires that the dye penetrant have
package components of the same or dissimilar materials.
goodcontrasttothematerialsbeingtestedand/ortheabsorbent
4.2 Ingress or egress of gas or moisture through leaks in a
surface.
package can also degrade sensitive contents.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
4.3 There is no general agreement concerning the level of
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
leakage that is likely to be deleterious to a particular package.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
However, since these tests are designed to detect leakage,
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
components that exhibit any indication of leakage may be
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
rejected.
with the standard.
4.4 These procedures are suitable for use to verify and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
locateleakagesites.Theyarenotquantitative.Noindicationof
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
leak size can be inferred from the test. Therefore, this method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
is employed as a go/no-go test.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.5 This test is destructive. All package or component test
samplesexposedtodyepenetrationtestingmaynotbeusedfor
2. Referenced Documents
final product packaging.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Apparatus
E171Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
Packaging
5.1 Meansofbreachingoneofthepackagingmaterialssuch
as a small knife.
5.2 Dye Dispenser, such as an eyedropper or syringe for
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF02onFlexible injection of the dye penetrant solution.
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on
5.3 Microscope or optical loop with magnification of 5× to
Package Integrity.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2013. Published December 2013. DOI: 20× (optional).
10.1520/F3039-13.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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 Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
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F3039 − 13
5.4 Absorbent Surface, such as a white chromatography potential leak point may render them undetectable with a dye
paper, white filter paper, or white paper towels. penetrant. If there is any indication that the package has been
exposedtoanyliquid,itmustbethoroughlydriedatitstypical
5.5 Aqueous dye penetrant solution consisting of a carrier,
storage temperature before testing.
wetting agent, and indicator dye with a surface tension of 25
dynes/cm or less. One possible dye penetrant solution formu-
10.2 See Practice E171 for conditioning guidance.
lation consists of, by weight:
A
Wetting agent Polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether 3% 11. Procedure
B
Indicator dye Toluidine blue 0.05 %
Carrier Distilled water 96.95 % 11.1 Testing for channels or leaks in the seal:
A
PolyethyleneglycoloctylphenyletherissoldunderthebrandnameTritonX-100.
11.1.1 Inject dye penetrant into the package or along seal
B
The chemical name for Toluidine blue is 3-Amino-7-(dimethylamino)-2-
edge at a volume of at least 0.25 ml per 25 mm [1 in.] of seal
methylphenothiazin-5-ium chloride.
length.
5.5.1 Because of the viscosity of the polyethylene glycol
NOTE 1—If puncturing the packaging to allow injection of the dye
octylphenylether,thepreparationofthesolutionismosteasily
penetrant solution, care should be taken not to puncture through or
accomplishedbyfirsttaringacontainerwithabout10%ofthe
damage other package surfaces. Puncturing of the package is facilitated if
required amount of distilled water on a scale. The appropriate
it is done adjacent to a dummy product inside the package. The product
amount of polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether is added to
willprovideatentingeffectthatwillseparatethetwosidesofthepackage,
reducing the chance of accidental puncture of both sides.
the distilled water by weight and the mixture stirred or shaken.
Once the polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether is dissolved,
11.1.2 Allowthedyepenetrantsolutiontoremainincontact
the remaining distilled water can then be added, followed by
with the seal edge for approximately 5 s. Channels will be
the toluidine blue dye.
detected within this time period.
5.5.2 Thesolutionmustremainhomogeneous.Ifprecipitate
11.1.3 Ifthepackagehasatransparentside,thesealmaybe
is noted, the solution must be replaced.
examined visually through this side.An optical device with 5×
5.5.3 If substitutes for the toluidine blue and/or Triton
to 20× magnification may be used for detailed examination. If
X-100 are used, their precision and bias must be experimen-
the package is opaque or if additional verification is desired,
tally determined.
the outside edge of the seal being tested should be placed
against an absorbent surface for approximately 5 s. After
6. Safety Precautions
carefully lifting the package, examine the absorbent surface.
6.1 Injecting dye penetrant into a package with a hypoder-
The presence of stains indicates a channel or leak.
micneedleandsyringeisacommonmethodforperformingthe
NOTE2—Ifthepackagebeingtestedhasunsealedmaterialbetweenthe
seal channel detection portion of this test. Caution should be
outer edge of the seal and the outer edge of the package (i.e., a “skirt”),
takenifthispracticeischosenasitcanresultinpunctureofthe
fold back the skirt material when placing the edge seal against the
skin with a contaminated needle.An alternative approach is to
absorbent surface.
dispense the dye penetrant via a flexible tube attached to a
11.1.4 Rotate the package as necessary to expose each seal
syringethroughanopeningformedwithanappropriatecutting
edge to the dye penetrant solution and repeat the examination
instrument.
detailedin11.1.2and11.1.3.
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