ASTM_F_2391_-_05_2011.pdf

Designation:F239105(Reapproved 2011)Standard Test Method forMeasuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as theTracer Gas1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2391;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 includes several procedures that can beused for the measurement of overall package and seal barrierperformance of a variety of package types and package forms,as well as seal/closure types.The basic elements of this methodinclude:1.1.1 Helium(employed as tracer gas),1.1.2 Helium leak detector(mass spectrometer),and1.1.3 Package/product-specific test fixtures.1.1.4 Most applications of helium leak detection are de-structive,in that helium needs to be injected into the packageafter the package has been sealed.The injection site then needsto be sealed/patched externally,which often destroys itssaleability.Alternatively,if helium can be incorporated into theheadspace before sealing,the method can be non-destructivebecause all that needs to be accomplished is to simply detectfor helium escaping the sealed package.1.2 Two procedures are described;however the supportingdata in Section 14 only reflects Procedure B(Vacuum Mode).The alternative,Sniffer Mode,has proven to be a valuableprocedure for many applications,but may have more variabil-ity due to exactly the manner that the operator conducts the testsuch as whether the package is squeezed,effect of multiplesmall leaks compared to fewer large leaks,background heliumconcentration,package permeability and speed at which thescan is conducted.Further testing to quantify this proceduresvariability is anticipated,but not included in this version.1.2.1 Procedure A:Sniffer Modethe package is scannedexternally for helium escaping into the atmosphere or fixture.1.2.2 Procedure B:Vacuum Modethe helium containingpackage is placed in a closed fixture.After drawing a vacuum,helium escaping into the closed fixture(capture volume)isdetected.Typically,the fixtures are custom made for thespecific package under test.1.3 The sensitivity of the method can range from thedetection of:1.3.1 Large leaks10-2Pam3/s to 10-5Pam3/s(101cc/sec/atm to 10-4cc/sec/atm).1.3.2 Moderate leaks10-5Pam3/s to 10-7Pam3/s(10-4cc/sec/atm to 10-6cc/sec/atm).1.3.3 Fine leaks10-7Pam3/s to 10-9Pam3/s(10-6cc/sec/atm to 10-8cc/sec/atm).1.3.4 Ultra-Fine leak10-9Pam3/s to 10-11Pam3/s(10-8cc/sec/atm to 10-10cc/sec/atm).NOTE1Conversion from cc/sec/atm to Pam3/s is achieved bymultiplying by 0.1.1.4 The terms large,moderate,fine and ultra-fine are rela-tive terms only and do not imply the acceptability of any leakrate.The individual application dictates the level of integrityneeded.For many packaging applications,only“large leaks”are considered unacceptable and the ability to detect smallerleaks is immaterial.All leak rates referred to in this method arebased on conversion of actual conditions(based on partialpressure of helium)to one atmosphere pressure differential andstandard temperature conditions.1.5 The method may have applicability to any package type:1.5.1 Flexible,1.5.2 Semi-rigid,or1.5.3 Rigid.1.6 The sensitivities reported in the supporting data for thismethod pertain to the detectability of helium emanating fromthe sample and are not a function of the packaging form.1.7 The method is not applicable to breathable or porouspackaging.1.8 The results obtained can be qualitative,semi-quantitative or quantitative depending on the procedure used.1.9 Test fixture design is not within the scope of this methodexcept to note that different designs will be needed for differentapplications(which have different package types and packageintegrity requirements).Furthermore,the fixture selection anddesign will be based on where the testing is to be conductedwithin the manufacturing process(in other words,qualitycontrol versus research).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 April 1,2011.Published April 2011.Originallyapproved in 2005.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F2391 05.DOI:10.1520/F2391-05R11.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 1.10 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:2D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in FlexiblePackaging by Bubble Emissi