ASTM_D_3078_-_02_2013.pdf

Designation:D307802(Reapproved 2013)Standard Test Method forDetermination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by BubbleEmission1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3078;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of gross leaksin flexible packaging containing a headspace gas.Test sensi-tivity is limited to 1 105atm cm3/s(1 106Pa m3/s)oreven less sensitive as indicated in a recent interlaboratory test(reported in Section 12).1.2 Small leaks may not be detected by this procedure.Viscoelastic effects on the products,or entrapped air,becomesignificant and prevent passage through small openings.Posi-tive pressure inside the pouch after the vacuum is drawn mayforce the product to plug small leaks.The size of the leak thatcan be detected is dependent upon the products contained,thenature of the packaging material,and the test parametersselected.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E425 Definitions of Terms Relating to Leak Testing(With-drawn 1991)3E515 Practice for Leaks Using Bubble Emission TechniquesF98 Recommended Practice for Determining Hermeticity ofElectron Devices by aBubble Test(Withdrawn 1990)33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 leakany opening in a flexible package that,contraryto intention,either allows the contents to escape or substancesto enter.4.Apparatus4.1 Vacuum ChamberAny transparent container capableof withstanding approximately one atmosphere pressuredifferential,fitted with a vacuum-tight cover.A vacuum gage,an inlet tube from a source of vacuum,and an outlet tube to theatmosphere shall be connected to the chamber cover.The inletand outlet tubes shall be equipped with hand valves.Attachedto the underside of the cover shall be a transparent plate thatwill closely approximate the inside dimensions of the containerand be such a distance from the top of the container that whenit is two-thirds filled with fluid,the attached plate will bepositioned 1 in.(25 mm)under the fluid.5.Materials5.1 Immersion FluidsUse an immersion fluid which doesnot degrade the package being tested.Fluids with a low surfacetension are generally more sensitive.Examples include water,water treated with a wetting agent,denatured alcohol,andmineral oil.Other possible fluids are listed in Test MethodE515 and Practices F98.6.Sampling6.1 The number of specimens used in the test sample maybe varied according to the nature of the product,its cost,itssize,and whether the specimens are taken from a productionline in a normal packaging operation,or are few in number,orare to be used only for purposes of comparative evaluation ofprocedures or materials.7.Test Specimen7.1 Flexible Package,with or without its intended contents.8.Conditioning8.1 The test sample and test fluid shall be at equilibriumwith normal room temperature.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F02 on FlexibleBarrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 onPackage Integrity.Current edition approved Aug.1,2013.Published September 2013.Originallyapproved in 1972.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3078 02(2008).DOI:10.1520/D3078-02R13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 9.Procedure9.1 Submerge the specimen in fluid contained in the vesselwithin the vacuum chamber.The uppermost surface of thespecimen shall be covered by not less than 1 in.(25 mm)offluid.NOTE1Two or more small packages may be tested at the same time,provided that they are placed in such a manner that all parts of everypackage under test can be observed for leakage during the test.9.2 Set the cover on the vacuum chamber,close the outletvalve,and turn on the vacuum so that the gage rises slowly(approximately 1 in.Hg/s)to a selected vacuum level.Thevacuum level chosen should be as large as possible in order toensure optimal sensitivity of the test.Limiting factors wi