Methods for Testing High Barrier Materials, 1999 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

Michael L. Troedel

President

MAS Consulting Services

16820 Highway 10

Suite 120

Elk River, MN 55330

The permeation of packaging materials has been of importance to packaging engineers, food scientists and material

engineers for decades. A brief history of permeation testing methods will be covered followed by a more detailed

description of new emerging technologies and test methods. Recent advances in patented flow technology, mass transfer analysis and understanding, high speed predictive computer analysis and low cell volume construction now give engineers and scientists the ability to determine material and flavor interactions, shelf life estimations, and rapid permeability, solubility and diffusion coefficient analysis. This mass transfer analysis allows material producers, converters and end-users the ability to predict the performance of packaging materials by not only using permeability, but also understanding the importance of solubility and diffusion on this performance.