Permeability Measurements of Unitary dose (and other) blister packs

 

Permeability measurements of blister packaging against water vapour and variety of gases can be produced quickly and accurately with out Mark VI Permeability measurement equipment.

Water vapour is the single most damaging contaminant. for blister packaging. The equipment can measure the permeability of both flat samples of the polymer (and foil) used as well as the finished blister. This is particularly important as the mechanical formation of the blister reduce the permeability of the polymer to a quarter of its initial value.

Both the loss or gain of water can have potentially significant effects to the products within blister packs. Water loss may lead to a change in the physical properties of a solid preparation, or a change in viscosity and concentration of vital components in liquid products. Water gain can cause sensitive ingredients to swell. Powders intended for inhalation are particularly sensitive as their particle size is critical for correct delivery - and is significantly influenced by the moisture content.

For companies where the throughput for the permeability measurements of blister packaging is not high enough to warrant dedicated equipment, we also provide a laboratory testing service.

Gas Permeability of Polymers

Plastic	Parmachor values	Permeability (cc.20μ/m2.24h.atm)			Real values
		N2	O2	CO2
PVA	160	0.02	0.06	0.21	0.2
PVCD	97	0.6	3.6	12	2
PET	68	21	80	310	40
PVC	61	100	200	1000	300
HDPE	39	800	2000	12000	2500
PP	31	1600	5400	20000	3000
PS	27	2400	8000	26000	/
LDPE	26	3200	10000	36000	10000

Blister packaging for pharmaceutical  tablets, capsules, lozenges and other products

Blister Packaging provides a barrier protection against contamination, particularly water vapour, for shelf life, drug efficacy as well as a degree of  tamper resistance.

Blister packaging incorporates a foil layer with an outer polymer layer  for each blister cavity.  The permeability of the blister pack is largely determined by the material and forming of the polymer.

 

Click here for a press release on Blister Pack permeability testing

Click here for an unitary dose blister pack article on Wikipedia

Click here for an article on the use and permeability measurements of plastics and related materials for pharmaceutical and medical packaging