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1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers dynamic evaluation of the rate of transfer of water vapor through a flexible barrier material and allows conversion to the generally recognized units of water vapor transmission (WVT) as obtained by various other test methods including the gravimetric method described in Test Methods E 96.
1.2 LimitationsThis test method is limited to flexible barrier sheet materials composed of either completely hydrophobic materials, or combinations of hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials having at least one surface that is hydrophobic.
1.3 The minimum test value obtained by this test method is limited by the leakage of water vapor past the clamping seals of the test instrument. A reasonable value may be approximately 0.01 g/24 hm 2 for any WVTR method including the desiccant procedure of Test Methods E 96 at 37.8C (100F), and 90 % relative humidity. This limit can be checked for each instrument with an impervious specimen such as aluminum foil. Calibration procedures can compensate for the leakage rate if so stated.
1.4 This test method is not suitable for referee testing at this time, but is suitable for control testing and material comparison.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values gives in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.6 Several other ASTM test methods are available to test a similar property. This test method is unique in that it closely duplicates typical product storage where a transfer of moisture from a package into the environment is allowed to proceed without constantly sweeping the environmental side with dry gas. Methods with constantly swept dry sides include Test Methods F 1249, ASTM F 372, and ASTM F 1770.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
C168 Terminology Relating to Thermal Insulation
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F17 Terminology Relating to Primary Barrier Packaging
F1249 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor
F3299 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using an Electrolytic Detection Sensor (Coulometric P2O5 Sensor)
UNSPSC Code
UNSPSC Code
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DOI: 10.1520/E0398-03
Citation Format
ASTM E398-03, Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Sheet Materials Using Dynamic Relative Humidity Measurement, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2003, www.astm.org
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