ASTM F3039-23

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 These tests are destructive. No package or component test samples exposed to dye penetration testing may be used for final product packaging.
SCOPE
1.1 Method A of 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 Method B for this test method also defines a procedure that will detect and locate a leak equal to or greater than 10 µm [0.00039 in] diameter in a nonporous flat sheet. The flat sheet is placed on an absorbent surface and then a dye penetrant is spread across the surface of the sheet, preferably using a small roller to apply pressure on the sheet to ensure adequate contact between the absorbent surface and the bottom surface of the sample being tested. The flat sheet is carefully removed and the absorbent surface is inspected for staining from the dye.  
1.3 These test methods are used for both transparent and opaque nonporous surfaces.  
1.4 These test methods require that the dye penetrant have good contrast to the materials being tested and/or the absorbent surface.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.40 - Package Integrity

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3039 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Detecting Leaks in Nonporous Packaging or Flexible Barrier
1
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. 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 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 Method A of this test method defines a procedure that
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
will detect and locate a leak equal to or greater than a channel
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
formed by a 50 μm [0.002 in.] wire in the edge seals of a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nonporous package. A dye penetrant solution is applied locally
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
to the seal edge to be tested for leaks. After contact with the
dye penetrant for a minimum specified time, the package is
2. Referenced Documents
visually inspected for dye penetration or, preferably, the seal
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
edge is placed against an absorbent surface and the surface
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
inspected for staining from the dye.
Packaging
1.2 Method B for this test method also defines a procedure
3
2.2 ANSI Standards:
that will detect and locate a leak equal to or greater than 10 μm
Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by
[0.00039 in] diameter in a nonporous flat sheet. The flat sheet
Attributes
is placed on an absorbent surface and then a dye penetrant is
spread across the surface of the sheet, preferably using a small
3. Terminology
roller to apply pressure on the sheet to ensure adequate contact
between the absorbent surface and the bottom surface of the 3.1 Definitions:
sample being tested. The flat sheet is carefully removed and the 3.1.1 dye penetrant, n—an aqueous solution of a dye and a
absorbent surface is inspected for staining from the dye. surfactant designed to penetrate and indicate a defect.
1.3 These test methods are used for both transparent and
4. Significance and Use
opaque nonporous surfaces.
4.1 Contaminants may enter the package through leaks.
1.4 These test methods require that the dye penetrant have
Alternatively, product may be lost from the package through
good contrast to the materials being tested and/or the absorbent
leaks. These leaks are frequently found at seals between
surface.
package components of the same or dissimilar materials.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
4.2 Ingress or egress of gas or moisture through leaks in a
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
package can also degrade sensitive contents.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
4.3 There is no general agreement concerning the level of
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance leakage that is likely to be deleterious to a particular package.
However, since these tests are designed to detect leakage,
with the standard.
components that exhibit any indication of leakage may be
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rejected.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.4 These procedures are suitable for use to verify and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- locate leakage sites. They are not quantitative. No indication of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Primary For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Package Integrity. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F3039 – 15. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/F3039-23. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3039 − 15 F3039 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Detecting Leaks in Nonporous Packaging or Flexible Barrier
1
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. 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
1.1 Method A of 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 Method B for this test method also defines a procedure that will detect and locate a leak equal to or greater than 10 μm
[0.00039 in] diameter in a nonporous flat sheet. The flat sheet is placed on an absorbent surface and then a dye penetrant is spread
across the surface of the sheet, preferably using a small roller to apply pressure on the sheet to ensure adequate contact between
the absorbent surface and the bottom surface of the sample being tested. The flat sheet is carefully removed and the absorbent
surface is inspected for staining from the dye.
1.3 These test methods are used for both transparent and opaque nonporous surfaces.
1.4 These test methods require that the dye penetrant have good contrast to the materials being tested and/or the absorbent surface.
1.5 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.
1.6 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on FlexiblePrimary Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on
Package Integrity.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015May 1, 2023. Published January 2015June 2023. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 20132015 as
F3039F3039 – 15.–13. DOI: 10.1520/F3039-15.10.1520/F3039-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F3039 − 23
3
2.2 ANSI Standards:
Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 dye penetrant—penetrant, n—an aqueous solution of a dye and a surfactant designed to penetrate and indicate a defect.
4. 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 le
...