Unsuspected and undetected vapour permeability costs industry millions

  
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In almost every sector of manufacturing and engineering, from electronics and medical to aerospace, energy and packaging, problems caused by vapour permeability are widespread and often unsuspected and underestimated. Moisture and vapour ingress can cause adhesives to fail, metals to corrode, sensitive electronics to short-circuit, pharmaceuticals to degrade and packaging to lose effectiveness.

Even imperceptible amounts of vapour transmission can compromise performance, reduce reliability and shorten product life. Yet in many cases, vapour permeability is poorly understood, tested too late or not tested at all.

Versaperm has developed a powerful solution to this overlooked problem. Its advanced vapour permeability measurement system, based on mass spectrometry, provides exceptionally high sensitivity, accuracy and repeatability. The instrument is capable of measuring the permeability of virtually any non-proscribed gas or gas mixture across a vast range of conditions. It works on flat samples, films, membranes and fully-formed components including complex shapes and multi-layer assemblies. Measurements can be carried out under controlled pressures, temperatures and partial pressures, even extending into supercritical conditions where required.

Vapour can pass through seemingly solid materials including plastics, rubbers, films, coatings, laminates and composites. Often the issue is not with the obvious barriers but with subtle vulnerabilities in adhesives, seals or interfaces. What makes this more challenging is that vapour permeability is not a fixed value – but varies dramatically depending on temperature, pressure, humidity and the nature of the material. It also differs for different gases and vapours, which is why accurate, application-specific testing is essential.

For companies that do not require their own instrument, Versaperm also offers laboratory testing and consultancy services that give organisations the insight needed to improve performance, reduce risk and extend product life.

ENDS

Please send any sales enquiries to Christopher Roberts, Versaperm Limited,,
10 Rawcliffe House, Howarth Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1AP, UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1628 777668,
e.mail info@versaperm.co.uk Web http://www.versaperm.co.uk

For further Press Information please contact Gerry Palmer @
T the Palmer & Rose Partnership.
Tel +44 (0) 1494 637499, e.mail gerry@palmer-rose.co.uk.