ASTM F2391-05(2016)
Standard Test Method for Measuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer Gas

Standard No.

ASTM F2391-05(2016)

Release Date

2005

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM F2391-22

Latest

ASTM F2391-22

Scope

5.1 The vacuum, bubble test method, as described in Test Method D3078, and various other leak detection methods described elsewhere (Test Method D4991, Guide E432, Guide E479, Test Method E493, Test Method E498, Test Method E499, and Test Method E1603) have been successfully used widely in various industries and applications to determine that a given package is or is not a “leaker.” The sensitivity of any selected leak test method has to be considered to determine its applicability to a specific situation.

5.2 The procedures presented in this test method allow the user to carry out package and seal integrity testing with sufficient sensitivity to quantify seals in the previously defined moderate to very fine seal ranges.

5.3 By employing seal-isolating leak testing fixtures, packages constructed of various materials can be tested in the full range of seal performance requirements. Design of these fixtures is beyond the scope of this method.

5.4 These seal/package integrity test procedures can be utilized as:

5.4.1 A design tool,

5.4.2 For tooling qualification,

5.4.3 Process setup,

5.4.4 Process validation tool,

5.4.5 Quality assurance monitoring, or

5.4.6 Research and development.

1.1 This test method includes several procedures that can be used for the measurement of overall package and seal barrier performance of a variety of package types and package forms, as well as seal/closure types. The basic elements of this method include:

1.1.1 Helium (employed as tracer gas),

1.1.2 Helium leak detector (mass spectrometer), and

1.1.3 Package/product-specific test fixtures.

1.1.4 Most applications of helium leak detection are destructive, in that helium needs to be injected into the package after the package has been sealed. The injection site then needs to be sealed/patched externally, which often destroys its saleability. Alternatively, if helium can be incorporated into the headspace before sealing, the method can be non-destructive because all that needs to be accomplished is to simply detect for helium escaping the sealed package.

1......

ASTM F2391-05(2016) Referenced Document

• ASTM D3078 Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission
• ASTM D4991 Standard Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
• ASTM D996 Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
• ASTM E1603 Standard Test Methods for Leakage Measurement Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Hood Mode
• ASTM E432 Standard Guide for Selection of a Leak Testing Method
• ASTM E479 Standard Guide for Preparation of a Leak Testing Specification
• ASTM E493 Standard Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the Inside-Out Testing Mode
• ASTM E498 Standard Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer Probe Mode
• ASTM E499 Standard Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector in the Detector Probe Mode
• ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• ASTM F1327 Standard Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medical Packaging
• ASTM F17 Standard Terminology Relating to Flexible Barrier Materials

ASTM F2391-05(2016) history

• 2022 ASTM F2391-22 Standard Test Method for Measuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer Gas
• 2005 ASTM F2391-05(2016) Standard Test Method for Measuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer Gas
• 2005 ASTM F2391-05(2011) Standard Test Method for Measuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer Gas
• 2005 ASTM F2391-05 Standard Test Method for Measuring Package and Seal Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer Gas