ASTM F3136-15

Introducing ASTM F3136-15- Industrial Physics

ASTM F3136-15 is a global ASTM testing standard for determining oxygen transmission rate through a wide range of plastic samples.  

ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. 

The ASTM F3136-15 oxygen gas transmission rate testing standard describes an approach known as the dynamic accumulation method. The plastic samples it was developed to test can be in the form of film, sheeting, laminates, coextrusions, coated or uncoated papers or fabrics.   

What is oxygen transmission rate testing useful for?

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of a material denotes the quantity of oxygen gas passing through a unit area of the parallel surfaces of a plastic film, over a defined space of time. The OTR test reveals the functionality of packaging choices for a wide variety of packaged products including food, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In some applications, sufficient oxygen must be allowed to permeate into the package. In others, the oxygen ingress must be minimized to maintain product quality. 

The ASTM F3136-15 test is one of several oxygen transmission rate (OTR) testing approaches. There are other methods to determine the OTR of a sample that use other oxygen sensors and procedures. 

The ASTM F3136-15 OTR testing approach

To deliver a successful ASTM F3136-15 OTR test you start by mounting your specimen in a sealed semi-barrier between two chambers. This makes up the permeation apparatus. The sensing well, which contains the oxygen sensor, is slowly purged by a stream of pure nitrogen – or other oxygen deficient gas mixture – until the oxygen concentration represents that of the purge gas.  

A commercial grade of compressed nitrogen containing less than 0.05% oxygen is recommended. A gas of known oxygen concentration, typically air or pure oxygen, is directed into the opposite chamber – the driving well. Oxygen concentration in the sensing well containing the oxygen sensor is measured periodically and the accumulating oxygen concentration recorded.  

The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) parameter is determined from the slope of the logarithm of accumulated oxygen concentration in the sensing well versus time.  

ASTM F3136-15 OTR testing equipment

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your ASTM F3136-15 oxygen transmission rate testing?  

OxySense 5250i
The OxySense 325i is a highly accurate and versatile oxygen measurement machine that’s suitable for a wide range of applications whether you need to test gas, oil or water. 

It offers high resolution (as low as 0.0001 psig) leak testing and can be configured to perform pressure or vacuum decay leak testing, flow and occlusion testing on non-porous, flexible or rigid products. 

Need OTR testing solutions? Get in touch

We’ve learnt a thing or two about oxygen transmission rate testing over the decades. Now Industrial Physics is recognized as a brand that likes to bring new, innovative oxygen testing technology to market. 

We’re always pleased to share the knowledge we’ve gained while working within oxygen measurement. Across the knowledgebase section of our website you’ll find lots of blogs about everything from dissolved oxygen testing to oxygen headspace testing.  

For example, you may enjoy this article which tells you how oxygen is measured within a PET bottle, or this one that delves into the importance of headspace gas chromatography analysis.  

If you have any questions about ASTM F3136-15 and how we can help you with your oxygen transmission rate testing, then just get in touch!

Your global test and measurement partner for ASTM F3136-15