Metallized Film for Packaging Food and Pharmaceutical Products is More Easily Tested to Meet Specific Barrier Properties Desired
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Glen Rock, NJ: While packagers generally agree that metallized films provide superior barrier properties, developing the appropriate barrier structure to handle a specific product requires extensive testing. Dr. Wolfgang Decker of VAST Films, utilizes the LYSSY oxygen and water vapor tester from PBI-Dansensor to assure that the film, like a finely tuned instrument, is adjusted to provide optimum barrier characteristics.
Content and characteristics of the product determine the level of barrier required. The packager must select a particular film based on how it achieves the barrier level desired. With the increase in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) metallized films prevent changes in flavor and texture of fully cooked and partially prepared foods, which require protection to avoid becoming spoiled, stale or rancid.
While some products require an oxygen-free barrier, others need a moisture-free barrier, and still others seek a controlled transmission rate of oxygen, moisture or both. Dr. Decker, a pioneer in developing new barrier material applications, depends on PBI-Dansensor LYSSY OPT 5000 oxygen tester and the PBI-Dansensor L-80 moisture vapor permeability tester for fast, accurate, reproducible readings from a single sample.
"Unlike previous test methods in which multiple samples were required, PBI-Dansensor equipment permits us to test the very same sample for oxygen transmission and then again for water vapor transmission so that we can make a direct comparison of the exact same sample," explains Dr. Decker. "The film sheet may contain a non-visible defect, so samples taken from different parts of the sheet might not be consistent-and that would defeat a direct comparison."
When testing metallized film for packaging food or pharmaceutical products, Dr. Decker notes" results are 20 to 30% faster for testing high barrier materials on the LYSSY moisture tester because it doesn't require equalization.
And the testing range is much larger-higher in permeability for higher sensitivity testing. We also do low barrier tests, especially for produce items in which we seek films with high permeability of oxygen. Other equipment offered range limitations that are no problem to the PBI-Dansensor equipment."
The high sensitivity, versatility and ease of use make the OPT-5000 Oxygen Permeability Tester especially well-suited for laboratory tests. An operator inserts the sample and selects a test program from the touchscreen to get a real-time oxygen transmission rate (OTR) reading. There is no need for grease or other messy, difficult-to-handle lubricant fixatives.
LYSSY L 80-5000 Water Vapor Permeability tester measures samples directly within the test chamber and does not require extractive sampling or carrier gas.
For more information, contact James Margiotta, President; PBI-Dansensor America Inc.; 139 Harristown Road; Glen Rock, NJ 07452; (201) 251-6490; info@pbi-dansensor.us.
For additional information please contact:
Agency contact: Gail Steckler
