ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Detection of Leaks in Packages by Vacuum Decay Method
 N F2338

Annotation

Test Packages—Packages that can be nondestructively evaluated by this test method include:

Rigid and semi-rigid non-lidded trays.

Trays or cups sealed with porous barrier lidding material.

Rigid, nonporous packages.

Flexible, nonporous packages.

Leaks Detected—This test method detects package leaks by measuring the rise in pressure (vacuum loss) in an enclosed evacuated test chamber containing the test package. Vacuum loss results from leakage of test package headspace gases and/or volatilization of test package liquid contents located in or near the leak. When testing for leaks that may be partially or completely plugged with the package's liquid contents, the test chamber is evacuated to a pressure below the liquid's vaporization pressure. All methods require a test chamber to contain the test package and a leak detection system designed with one or more pressure transducers. Test method sensitivities cited below were determined using specific product-package systems selected for the precision and bias studies summarized in Table 1. Table 1 also lists other examples of relevant productpackage systems that can be tested for leakage by vacuum decay.

Trays or Cups (Non-lidded) (Air Leakage)—Hole or crack defects in the wall of the tray/cup of at least 50 m in diameter can be detected. Nonlidded trays were tested at a Target Vacuum of –4·E4 Pa (–400 mbar).

Trays Sealed with Porous Barrier Lidding Material (Headspace Gas Leakage)—Hole or crack defects in the wall of the tray/cup of at least 100 m in diameter can be detected. Channel defects in the seal area (made using wires of 125 m in diameter) can be detected. Severe seal bonding defects in both continuous adhesive and dot matrix adhesive package systems can be detected. Slightly incomplete dot matrix adhesive bonding defects can also be detected. All porous barrier lidding material packages were tested at a Target Vacuum of –4·E4 Pa (–400 mbar). The sensitivity of the test for porous lidded packages is approximately E-2 Pa·m3·s-1 using a calibrated volumetric airflow meter.