ASTM D3985 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR)

Determination of Oxygen Permeation of Flexible Barrier Materials Using a Coulometric Sensor by ASTM D3985, ISO 15105. Materials like film, sheets, laminates, co-extrusions, or plastic coated papers or fabrics can be tested for required end use applications.

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Introduction to ASTM D3985 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Testing

The ASTM D3985 test method is used for estimating the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) through sheets and films of polymeric materials used as packaging materials. The test method applies to single-layer as well as multi-layer films, coated sheets that are laminated, as well as sheet materials that are molded plastics with barrier properties. ASTM D3985 is commonly used to calculate the permeable amounts of oxygen through a material under regulated circumstances that give an idea of the barrier properties of a material. Through the observation of oxygen flow through a specimen, it assesses the packaging’s ability to preserve product quality as well as shelf life.

Scope of ASTM D3985 Oxygen Transmission Rate Testing

ASTM D3985 test assesses the relative permeability of plastics packaging materials under specific temperature as well as humidity requirements. The test method is applied to films, sheets, laminates, etc., which are employed in food applications, drugs/medications/pharma applications, electronics applications, as well as in industrial applications. The oxygen transmission is a factor that relies on several factors, such as:

Material thickness and composition
Applied laminates or coatings
Environmental factors (temperature and humidity)
Presence of additives or fillers

Oxygen transmission is critical to predicting product shelf life, maintaining fresh produce, as well as circumventing oxidation-sensitive damage through packaged produce.

ASTM D3985 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test Procedure

In the ASTM D3985 procedure, a test material sample is encased in a diffusion cell with two compartments. The test material is exposed on one side to a high-purity source of oxygen, while on its opposing side, it is purged with an inert carrier gas, which is commonly nitrogen. The flow of oxygen through the material is kept under continuous observation with a coulometric or electrochemical oxygen probe.

The main stages are:

Sample preparation – The sample is reduced to well-defined sizes and is conditioned at a standard temperature and humidity level.
Mounting the sample – The test cell is secured with the sample such that no leakage is formed.
Measurement – The flow of oxygen through the sample is measured with time until steady state transmission is reached.
Calculation of OTR – OTR is measured in terms of cc/m²/day at specified temperature as well as humidity.

It gives a reproducible test of barrier performance so that materials can be compared as well as quality control during manufacturing.

Specimens for ASTM D3985 OTR Test

Particulars	Details
Sample details	Plastic films, sheets, laminates, or coated materials.
Sample dimensions	Typical size: 50–100 mm diameter or as required by the test cell.
Sample preparation	Films are conditioned and cut from production material; care is taken to avoid wrinkles or damage.
Measured parameter	Oxygen transmission rate in cc/m²/day at specified temperature and humidity.

Result

ASTM D3985 test gives you the oxygen transmission rate of a material under standard test conditions. Materials with low OTR values are good barriers to oxygen itself and are thus used for food packaging, drugs, as well as electronic components. OTR is strongly dependent on polymer type, additive packages, coatings, as well as test environments. Precise measurement aids in material selection for particular shelf life requirements as well as in finding optimal packaging design.

Conclusion

ASTM D3985 oxygen transmission rate test is a valuable method employed in the measurement of barrier properties’ performance of plastics as well as packaging materials. It is efficiently combined with ISO 15105 requirements for protecting as well as guaranteeing product quality. By measuring oxygen flow through materials, ASTM D3985 provides critical information utilized in material selection, quality control, as well as shelf-life determination that helps maintain product integrity as well as prolong usability across different applications.

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FAQs on ASTM D3985 Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) Testing

Which instrument is used for the ASTM D3985 test?

The test is performed using an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) analyzer, typically employing coulometric or electrochemical sensors to monitor the amount of oxygen passing through the material.

What are the test conditions for ASTM D3985?

The test is conducted under controlled temperature and humidity, with one side exposed to pure oxygen and the other purged with an inert gas such as nitrogen. This setup simulates real-world conditions affecting material performance.

What is considered a good OTR value?

Materials with low OTR values are considered excellent oxygen barriers, suitable for sensitive products. The acceptable range depends on application requirements and product shelf-life specifications.