ASTM F3136-22

Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate through Plastic Film and Sheeting using a Dynamic Accumulation Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The Oxygen Transmission Rate is an important determinant of packaging functionality afforded by packaging materials for a wide variety of packaged products including food, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In some applications, sufficient oxygen must be allowed to permeate into the package. In others, the oxygen ingress must be minimized to maintain product quality.  
5.2 Other ASTM Standard Methods to measure the oxygen transmission rate are described in Test Method D3985 and Test Method F2622.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the transmission rate of oxygen gas through plastics in the form of film, sheeting, laminates, coextrusions, coated or uncoated papers or fabrics.  
1.2 This test method is not the only method for measurement of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR). There are other methods of OTR determination that use other oxygen sensors and procedures.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Commonly used metric units used to report Oxygen Transmission Rate are included in Terminology, Procedure, Precision and Bias sections and in the Calculation section of the Appendix.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Nov-2022
• ICS: 75.180.30 - Volumetric equipment and measurements
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.10 - Permeation

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: F3136 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate through Plastic Film and
1
Sheeting using a Dynamic Accumulation Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3136; 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 E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
of the transmission rate of oxygen gas through plastics in the
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
form of film, sheeting, laminates, coextrusions, coated or
F2622Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate
uncoated papers or fabrics.
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting UsingVarious Sensors
1.2 This test method is not the only method for measure-
F2714Test Method for Oxygen Headspace Analysis of
ment of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR). There are other
Packages Using Fluorescent Decay
methods of OTR determination that use other oxygen sensors
and procedures.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 Definitions:
standard. Commonly used metric units used to report Oxygen
3.1.1 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR), n—the quantity of
Transmission Rate are included in Terminology, Procedure,
oxygen gas passing through a unit area of the parallel surfaces
Precision and Bias sections and in the Calculation section of
of a plastic film per unit time under the conditions of test. The
the Appendix.
2
SI unit of transmission rate is the mol/(m ·s). The test condi-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tions including temperature, relative humidity and oxygen
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
partial pressure on both sides of the film must be stated in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
report.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—A commonly used unit of OTR is the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3 2
cm (STP)/(m ·day) at one atmosphere pressure difference
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3
where 1 cm (STP) is 44.62 µmol, 1 atmosphere is 0.1013
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3
MPa, and one day is 86.4 × 10 s. The OTR in SI units is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
obtained by multiplying the value in commonly used units by
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
-10
5.160 × 10 .
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 The specimen is mounted as a sealed semi-barrier
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
between two chambers, which together make up the perme-
D3985Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate
ation apparatus. The sensing well which contains the oxygen
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric
sensor is slowly purged by a stream of pure nitrogen or other
Sensor
oxygen deficient gas mixture until the oxygen concentration
represents that of the purge gas. A commercial grade of
compressed nitrogen containing less than 0.05% oxygen is
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF02onPrimary recommended.Agasofknownoxygenconcentration,typically
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.10 on
air or pure oxygen, is directed into the opposite chamber, the
Permeation.
driving well. Oxygen concentration in the sensing well con-
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
taining the oxygen sensor is measured periodically and the
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F3136–15. DOI:
10.1520/F3136-22.
accumulating oxygen concentration recorded. The Oxygen
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Transmission Rate (OTR) parameter is determined from the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
slope of the logarithm of accumulated oxygen concentration in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the sensing well versus time as described in 14.2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F3136 − 22
5
...

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: F3136 − 15 F3136 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate through Plastic Film and
1
Sheeting using a Dynamic Accumulation Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3136; 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 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the transmission rate of oxygen gas through plastics in the form of
film, sheeting, laminates, coextrusions, coated or uncoated papers or fabrics.
1.2 This test method is not the only method for measurement of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR). There are other methods of
OTR determination that use other oxygen sensors and procedures.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Commonly used metric units used to report Oxygen Transmission
Rate are included in Terminology, Procedure, Precision and Bias sections and in the Calculation section of the Appendix.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
D3985 Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F2622 Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using Various Sensors
F2714 Test Method for Oxygen Headspace Analysis of Packages Using Fluorescent Decay
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)—(OTR), n—the quantity of oxygen gas passing through a unit area of the parallel surfaces
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on FlexiblePrimary Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.10 on
Permeation.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015Dec. 1, 2022. Published April 2015December 2022. Originally approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
F3136 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/F3136-15.10.1520/F3136-22.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3136 − 22
2
of a plastic film per unit time under the conditions of test. The SI unit of transmission rate is the mol/(m —s). The test conditions
including temperature, relative humidity and oxygen partial pressure on both sides of the film must be stated in the report.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
3 2 3
A commonly used unit of OTR is the cm (STP)/(m —day) at one atmosphere pressure difference where 1 cm (STP) is 44.62 μmol,
3
1 atmosphere is 0.1013 MPa, and one day is 86.4 × 10 s. The OTR in SI units is obtained by multiplying the value in commonly
-10
used units by 5.160 × 10 .
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The specimen is mounted as a sealed semi-barrier between two chambers, which together make up the permeation apparatus.
The sensing well which contains the oxygen sensor is slowly purged by a stream of pure nitrogen or other oxygen deficient gas
mixture until the oxygen concentration represents that of the purge gas. A commercial grade of compressed nitrogen containing
less than 0.05%0.05 % oxygen is recommended. A gas of known oxygen concentration, typically air or pure oxygen, is directed
into the opposite chamber, the driving well. Oxygen concentration in the sensing well containing the oxygen sensor is measured
periodically and the accumul
...