ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) Testing Services
ASTM E96: Water Vapor Transmission test by ASTM E96 is an important test to determine in case of packaging materials under consideration. This test is used for measuring the transfer of water vapor via semi-permeable and permeable samples. Read more about ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission below.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM E96 is a standard test method for determining the water vapor transmission rate of materials such as wood, plastics, paper, and other materials. It helps determine how moisture passes through them using the water method or desiccant. This method is crucial for packaging, textiles, construction, and aerospace applications. This level of moisture control significantly impacts performance and durability. Such results may indicate the materials’ suitability for any specific application under consideration that requires specifications demanding some degree of moisture resistance.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM E96 tests water vapor transmission (WVT) through materials such as paper, fiberboard, gypsum, plastic films, sheet materials, plaster products, wood products, and plastics. Industry designers and manufacturers might consider this data for packaging material applications. The Desiccant and Water Method is one of the two methods for measuring permeance. The service conditions have two variations: one side is wet (low humidity), and the other is high-moisture. The ASTM E96 test measures water vapor transfer through semi-permeable and porous samples.
Applications
- Testing building envelopes (walls, roofs, floors) for vapor diffusion behavior.
- Evaluation of membranes, films, coatings, and insulation materials.
- Selection of vapor barriers and retarders in construction systems.
- Used in HVAC and energy-efficient building design to manage moisture flow.
- Applicable to packaging, protective wraps, and laminates requiring moisture control.
Benefits
- Determines the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of materials with high reliability.
- Helps evaluate the moisture resistance and permeability of building materials.
- Supports material comparison and selection for moisture control performance.
- Assists in predicting condensation risk and the durability of assemblies.
- Provides standardized methods (Desiccant Method & Water Method) for consistent results.
- Useful for quality control and compliance with building codes and standards.
Testing Process
Specimen Preparation
Specimen cut to size, edges sealed, and conditioned before testing
1Test Method
Dry Cup (desiccant) or Wet Cup (water) method selected
2Data Collection
Weight change plotted versus time
3Calculations
WVTR and vapor permeance were determined.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Specimen Type | Flat building materials, films, membranes |
| Test Area | Defined by test cup opening |
| Temperature | Typically 23 °C (or specified) |
| Test Duration | Test Duration |
| Balance Accuracy | Precision balance required |
| Results | WVTR, Vapor Permeance, Vapor Permeability |
Instrumentation Used
- Water vapor transmission test chamber or cup assembly
- Controlled environmental chamber (temperature & humidity)
- Analytical balance (high-precision)
- Sealants and specimen holders
- Data acquisition and calculation system
Results and Deliverables
- ASTM E96 is essential for evaluating the water vapor transmission of packaging materials
- Test results help identify opportunities for improving manufacturing processes.
- Supports quality enhancement in line with global standards.
- Assists in ensuring the performance consistency of packaging materials.
- Can be complemented with related methods such as the ASTM F1249 Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) test.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM E96 can be used to measure a wide range of vapor-permeable and impermeable building envelope materials, from plywood and gypsum to various air barrier membranes.
ASTM F1249 uses a modulated infrared sensor to measure the WVTR, while ASTM E96 uses a gravimetric method in which the weight change of a test sample is measured over time.
The test chamber is maintained at a constant temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a relative humidity of 50 ± 2%.
The sample size used in ASTM E96 is around 44-inch.
ASTM D1653 and ASTM E96 address determining the water vapor transmission and permeance of coatings. ASTM E96/E96M addresses the permeability determination, but ASTM D1653 does not.
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