ISO 15106-1:2003

Overview

ISO 15106-1:2003 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies a method for determining the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of plastic films, plastic sheeting, and multilayer structures containing plastics. The standard outlines an instrumental procedure using a humidity detection sensor to measure water vapour transmission through these materials. This method enables rapid and reliable measurements over a broad range of water vapour transmission rates, providing critical data for evaluating the barrier properties of plastic films and sheeting.

Key Topics

• Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR): The rate at which water vapour permeates a material, typically expressed in grams per square metre per 24 hours [g/(m²·24h)]. This is a key performance indicator for packaging materials, affecting product shelf life and durability.
• Humidity Detection Sensor Method: ISO 15106-1 specifically describes the use of a humidity sensor to detect changes in relative humidity in a controlled environment separated by the test specimen.
• Test Setup: The standard details the apparatus including a transmission cell consisting of a dry (upper) chamber and a water-saturated (lower) chamber, with the test specimen hermetically sealed between them.
• Test Conditions: It provides recommended temperature and relative humidity differentials for conducting tests, for example, 25 °C with 90% and 10% relative humidity across the specimen.
• Test Procedure: Step-by-step methods to condition test specimens, mount them, measure humidity changes over time, and calculate the water vapour transmission rate accurately.
• Calibration and Reference Specimens: Usage of specimens with known WVTR values as references to ensure precision and reliability of results.

Applications

ISO 15106-1:2003 is widely used in industries where plastic films and sheeting serve as barriers to moisture, including:

• Food Packaging: Ensuring packaging materials provide adequate moisture barrier properties to extend product shelf life and maintain quality.
• Pharmaceutical Packaging: Protecting sensitive products from moisture ingress which might degrade efficacy.
• Agricultural Films: Measuring moisture permeability for greenhouse and mulching films to optimize plant growth conditions.
• Building and Construction: Evaluating plastic sheets used as vapor barriers in construction to prevent condensation and material damage.
• Industrial Packaging: Designing packaging for electronics or other moisture-sensitive items requiring precise moisture control.

The method supports quality control, product development, and compliance with regulatory requirements in these sectors.

Related Standards

ISO 15106-1:2003 forms part of the ISO 15106 series, which includes:

• ISO 15106-2: Infrared detection sensor method for water vapour transmission rate measurement.
• ISO 15106-3: Electrolytic detection sensor method for water vapour transmission rate determination.

Additional relevant standards referenced for measurement and specimen preparation:

• ISO 2528:1995: Gravimetric (dish) method for water vapour transmission rate measurement.
• ISO 4593:1993: Thickness determination of plastic films and sheeting by mechanical scanning.

These interconnected standards provide a comprehensive framework for accurately assessing water vapour barrier properties of plastic films and multilayer structures.

Keywords: ISO 15106-1, water vapour transmission rate, WVTR, plastic film moisture barrier, humidity detection sensor method, plastic sheeting, water vapour permeability testing, packaging material standards, moisture barrier testing, ISO plastics standards.