1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the rate of water vapor transmission through flexible barrier materials. The method is applicable to sheets and films up to 3 mm (0.1 in.) in thickness, consisting of single or multilayer synthetic or natural polymers and foils, including coated materials. It provides for the determination of ( ) water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), ( ) the permeance of the film to water vapor, and ( ) for homogeneous materials, water vapor permeability coefficient.
Note 1-Values for water vapor permeance and water vapor permeability must be used with caution. The inverse relationship of WVTR to thickness and the direct relationship of WVTR to the partial pressure differential of water vapor may not always apply.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D4204 Practice for Preparing Plastic Film Specimens for a Round-Robin Study
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Solutions
E96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
Index Terms
Diffusion cell apparatus; Flexible barrier materials; Infrared (IR) analysis; Plastic sheet and film; Polymers; Referee methods; Water vapor transmission (WVT)-permeability; water vapor transmission rate through plastic film/sheeting (up to 3 mm; (0.1 in.)), using modulated infrared sensor, test |