ASTM F372-99(2003)
Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique

Standard No.

ASTM F372-99(2003)

Release Date

1999

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Withdraw 2009-05

Latest

ASTM F372-99(2003)

Scope

The purpose of this test method is to rapidly obtain reliable values for the WVTR of barrier materials.

The WVTR is an important property of packaging materials, which can be related to shelf life and product stability.

In any application, the WVTR of a barrier material is determined by its permeance under the given conditions. In most cases, the WVTR will increase when the absolute humidity is increased on the wet side of the barrier and when the temperature of the environment increases, particularly if a polymeric material is the primary water vapor barrier in the construction.

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 the water vapor are not always linear.

1.1 This test method covers a rapid procedure for determining the rate of water vapor transmission of flexible barrier materials in film or sheet form. This test method is applicable to sheets and films up to 3 mm in thickness, consisting of single-layer or multilayer synthetic or natural polymers and metal foils including coated materials.

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.

ASTM F372-99(2003) Referenced Document

• ASTM D1898 
• ASTM D374 Standard Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
• ASTM E104 Standard Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Solutions
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• ASTM E96 Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

ASTM F372-99(2003) history

• 1999 ASTM F372-99(2003) Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique
• 1999 ASTM F372-99 Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique