Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (Single-Cell)
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (Single-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C1
Compact Single-Station Weighing-Method WVTR Analyzer for Film and Foil Testing
The ToronWVTR™ C1 is a single cell WVTR tester that measures the water vapor transmission rate of plastic films, aluminum foil, aluminized films, and composite laminates. The instrument uses the gravimetric weighing method, a direct technique that weighs the moisture crossing a barrier. A single station and a compact benchtop footprint make it a practical entry point for labs adding WVTR testing. Built around methods such as ASTM E96 and ISO 2528, it delivers standards-based moisture barrier data.
Automatic temperature and humidity control hold the chamber at a set condition across a 15°C to 60°C range, so tests follow recognized conditions without manual adjustment. A precision balance weighs the dish on a schedule, and a 24-bit delta-sigma converter resolves small mass changes for high-barrier foils and metallized films. An 8 L chamber and a 35 kg frame keep the unit small enough for a crowded bench.
One-button operation runs the full sequence automatically, and live data curves let operators follow mass change, temperature, and humidity in real time. Traceable reference-film calibration keeps results defensible for audits and certification. The ToronWVTR™ C1 (Gravimetric Single-Cell Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester) suits food, pharmaceutical, packaging, and academic labs that need reliable moisture barrier data at a benchtop scale.
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (Single-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C1 Applications
The ToronWVTR™ C1 supports single-sample moisture barrier testing wherever water vapor ingress affects product quality, shelf life, or stability.
- Entry-Level and Low-Volume QC: a starting point for labs adding gravimetric WVTR testing or running modest sample counts on a compact benchtop.
- Food and Beverage Packaging: measures moisture ingress through films, foils, and laminates that protect dry and moisture-sensitive products.
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging: verifies the moisture barrier of blister foils, sachets, and pouches for hygroscopic drug products.
- Plastic Film and Sheet Testing: checks PE, PP, PET, and coated films against defined moisture barrier targets.
- Aluminum Foil and Metallized Materials: measures very low moisture transmission where the gravimetric method performs well.
- Paper, Board, and Coatings: evaluates the moisture barrier of coated papers, boards, and organic coating films.
- Building and Construction Materials: tests the moisture barrier of membranes, coatings, and sheet materials per ASTM E96.
- Universities and Teaching Labs: a manageable single-station platform for training on WVTR measurement and barrier science.
Standards
The ToronWVTR™ C1 is designed to align with internationally recognized gravimetric test methods for water vapor transmission rate measurement.
- ISO 2528 - Sheet Materials: Determination of Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR): Gravimetric (Dish) Method
- ASTM E96 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
- ASTM D1653 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films
- DIN 53122-1 - Testing of Plastics and Elastomer Films, Paper, Board, and Other Sheet Materials: Determination of Water Vapour Transmission Rate: Part 1: Gravimetric Method
- JIS Z 0208 - Testing Methods for Determination of the Water Vapour Transmission Rate of Moisture-Proof Packaging Materials (Dish Method)
- TAPPI T464 - Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Sheet Materials at High Temperature and Humidity
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (Single-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C1 Key Features
The ToronWVTR™ C1 delivers the gravimetric reference method in a compact single-station package suited to focused testing and tighter budgets.
- Gravimetric Weighing Method: a direct mass measurement of permeated moisture, the recognized reference approach for WVTR and high-barrier materials.
- Single-Station Design: one specimen at a time in a compact instrument, a practical entry point for labs adding WVTR testing.
- Compact Benchtop Footprint: a small, 35 kg unit with an 8 L chamber fits limited bench space in QC and R&D labs.
- Automated Precision Weighing: scheduled automatic weighing removes the manual weighing errors of a traditional dish test.
- Automatic Temperature and Humidity Control: the chamber holds a set condition without manual adjustment, so tests match recognized standard conditions.
- Controlled Air Velocity: adjustable airflow across the specimen keeps the boundary layer thin and results repeatable.
- 24-Bit Delta-Sigma Data Acquisition: high-resolution conversion resolves the small mass changes produced by high-barrier foils and films.
- One-Button Automated Testing: a single command runs the complete sequence automatically, reducing operator effort and variability.
- Real-Time Data Curves: on-screen plots of mass change, temperature, and humidity let operators judge test progress and stability.
- Built-In Ambient Monitoring: an internal temperature and humidity sensor logs room conditions with every test for better traceability.
- Multiple Test Modes: selectable modes adapt the instrument to different materials and barrier levels.
- Traceable Reference-Film Calibration: calibration against certified reference films keeps results defensible for QC release and certification audits.
- Laboratory Data Management Integration: connects to lab data management software for centralized records, review, and reporting.
Theory and Method
Weighing-method WVTR testing measures how much moisture passes through a film by tracking the weight of a sealed dish assembly over time. The specimen is clamped over a dish holding a desiccant, so the underside of the film stays dry. The dish sits in a chamber held at a set temperature and humidity, creating a water-vapor pressure gradient across the film: moist above, dry below.
Water vapor permeates the film and is absorbed by the desiccant, so the dish gains weight as the test runs. A precision balance records the weight at set intervals. Once the gain settles to a steady rate, its slope against time, divided by the exposed area, gives the WVTR in g/m²·24h, a value that reflects the moisture that actually crossed the film.
Weighing the moisture directly makes the gravimetric method a primary reference, valued for method correlation and for high-barrier foils. Airflow across the specimen holds surface resistance low so the film sets the rate. A single station handles one specimen at a time under automatic temperature and humidity control, which keeps the compact instrument simple to run.
Gravimetric Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester (Single-Cell) - ToronWVTR™ C1 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Measurement Range | 0.1 to 19,000 g/m²·24h (standard) |
| Test Accuracy | 0.01 g/m²·24h |
| Specimen Amount | 1 (single specimen) |
| Temperature Range | 15°C to 60°C |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.1°C |
| Differential Humidity Range | Room to 95% RH (standard condition 90% RH) |
| Humidity Accuracy | ±1% RH |
| Test Area | 28.26 cm² |
| Specimen Size | Ø76 mm |
| Air Velocity | 0.5 to 2.5 m/s (customization available) |
| Test Chamber Volume | 8 L |
| Gas Supply | Air |
| Gas Interface | Ø8 mm |
| Voltage | AC 220 V, 50 Hz (110V is also available) |
| Dimensions | 330 mm (L) × 600 mm (D) × 340 mm (H) |
| Net Weight | 35 kg |
Standard Delivery
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Unit | Single-station gravimetric WVTR test instrument |
| Computer | Dedicated control PC |
| Control Software | Instrument operation and data-analysis software |
| Test Dish (1) | Gravimetric test dish for the single station |
| Desiccant Tube | Supplies desiccant for the dry side of the dish |
| Pressure Regulator | Regulates the air supply pressure |
| Automatic Moisture Filter | Conditions incoming air for stable humidity |
| Calibration Weight | Reference weight for balance calibration |
| Communication Cable | Connects the instrument to the control PC |
| Sample Cutter | Prepares specimens to the required test size |
Optional Accessories
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Reference Film | Certified film for traceable calibration |
| Air Drying Device | Additional air-drying for low-humidity test conditions |
| Sample Cutter | Additional specimen-preparation cutter |
| Laboratory Data Management System | Centralized data management and reporting software |