*mydirectindustry

Catalogs
AMETEK MOCON
Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods

Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods

Product catalog summary

Introduction
Polymer non-woven and porous polymer membranes are crucial in various applications, including medical device packaging and personal protective equipment. These materials allow moisture transmission while blocking liquids. Two ASTM methods measure the Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) for these materials: ASTM E96 and ASTM D6701. This paper compares these methods to determine which provides better WVTR test results.

ASTM E96 Method
Known as the gravimetric or cup method, ASTM E96 measures WVTR by placing a test material over a dish with water or desiccant. The method is labor-intensive and prone to errors due to environmental fluctuations and human involvement, resulting in poor repeatability and reproducibility. The air gap between the test sample and the water or desiccant can also affect results, especially for high transmitters.

ASTM D6701 Method
ASTM D6701 uses an RH sensor and an inverted cup with a guard film, eliminating the air gap issue. The MOCON PERMATRAN-W 101K instrument automates the process, reducing human error and improving reproducibility. It measures WVTR between 500 and 100,000 g/(m2 • day) and allows testing of up to six samples simultaneously.

Comparison
The D6701 method offers precise control of temperature and RH, resulting in more accurate and reproducible results compared to E96. It is less labor-intensive, faster, and minimizes human errors. The following table summarizes the key differences:

Sensor Type: E96 uses Gravimetric, D6701 uses RH sensor.
WVTR Level: E96 up to 2627 g/(m2 • day), D6701 between 500-100,000 g/(m2 • day).
Repeatability: E96 >10%, D6701 +/- 1%.
Testing Time: E96 takes 24 hours, D6701 takes 3-4 hours.
Temperature Sensitivity: E96 is affected, D6701 is not.
Sample Capacity: E96 tests one sample, D6701 tests six simultaneously.

Conclusion
For high permeable polymer membranes and non-wovens, ASTM D6701 is more accurate and reliable, making it the preferred method for WVTR testing.

For further information, contact AMETEK MOCON.

Catalog excerpts

Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods-1

WHITE PAPER A COMPARISON OF THE ASTM E96 AND D6701 TEST METHODS AMETEK MOCON® April 2024 Content: Introduction of ASTM E96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 New Method with ASTM D6701 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Summary of Method Comparison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Open the catalog to page 1

Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods-2

WHITE PAPER ASTM E96 ASTM E96, also called the gravimetric or cup method, is a common method used to determine the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of high transmitting plastic barrier or non-woven materials. The cup method (Fig 1.) involves placing a test material on top of a dish filled either with water (to test the WVTR going out of the dish) or a desiccant (to test the WVTR going into the dish). The test dish is weighed before being placed in an environmental chamber, and then weighed periodically until it reaches equilibrium. The D6701 method allows for precise control of temperature...

Open the catalog to page 2

Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods-3

SOLUTION WITH ASTM D6701 METHOD WHITE PAPER Fig 3. ASTM D6701 Inverted Cup with Guard Film Concept A more effective and user-friendly method of measuring WVTR in high transmitting materials is ASTM D6701 (Fig 3.) with RH sensor. It is an instrumental method with the modified inverted cup and guard film concept, so that it eliminates the air gap issue completely. The unique design allows measurement of True Permeation through the samples that reflect real-life situations for high transmitter moisture barriers. The only instrument complying to ASTM D6701 is the MOCON PERMATRAN-W 101K (Fig. 4)....

Open the catalog to page 3

Comparing ASTM E96 and D6701 Test Methods-4

ASTM D6701 IS THE BEST METHOD TO TEST HIGH PERMEABLE AND NON-WOVENS WHITE PAPER When using MOCON PERMATRAN-W 101K, the entire testing process is automated, eliminating the need for manual measurements and WVTR calculation, allowing for less user error and greater lab to lab reproducibility. Measuring WVTR of high permeable polymer membranes and non-wovens, the D6701 method is more accurate and reliable, making it a more effective test method for this type of applications. The D6701 method also allows for precise control of temperature and RH, eliminating the variations that are present with the...

Open the catalog to page 4

All AMETEK MOCON catalogs and technical brochures

Archived catalogs

*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.

Brand list