The Versaperm Manometric Vapour Permeability Meter

Introduction

The Versaperm Permeability Meter Mk VI is not mass-produced, as are some of the instruments on the market. Each instrument is carefully designed, crafted and manufactured to meet individual customer's detailed requirements specifications and requirements. This highly versatile vapour permeability instrument is extremely sensitive and accurate.

Instrument Overview

The Versaperm Manometric Permeability Meter Mk VI operates by creating a controllable pressure difference across the sample using the gas under test. As the test gas flows through the sample, the rate of increase in pressure is used to calculate the gas permeation rate. The result is then displayed on the computer touch-screen for further analysis.

Application

• Films, Coatings and Laminates

High Sensitivity

• The surface area of a standard diffusion chamber permits a reasonably sized sample of low permeability to be measured easily.
• The system offers an exceptionally wide range of flow rates

Standards

The instrument is designed to comply with

• ISO15105-1 Film and Sheeting – Determination of gas-transmission rate

Part 1: Differential-pressure methods.

• ISO2782 Rubber, vulcanised or thermoplastic – Determination of permeability to gases
• ASTM D1434 Standard Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
• All current EC Health and Safety Regulations

Triple Chamber

The instrument has three sample chambers enabling it to measure of a full set of samples in a single run period. The real-time graphical display of changing pressure provides easy monitoring for leak conditions, or the failure of any of the samples.

Computerised Control

The system's computerised control automates many parts of the process. Customised software is written for each instrument, to match any customer's requirements. For example, the instrument can be configured to perform a specific method for each type of sample. The presence of a built-in computer also provides data logging, storage, and networking. It also offers remote diagnostics and software updates.

Wide Range of Test Conditions

• Chamber temperature is typically controlled to 0.1 °C and an optional chiller is available. The temperature range is from–85°C to 1100°C.
• The pressure gradient across the sample is normally adjustable from 0 to 1 atm, although this can optionally be increased or decreased if required.

Rotary Vacuum Pump

The system is also supplied with a rotary vacuum pump, which reliably generates the low pressures required for testing.