The most common testing used by the flooring industry for determining WVTR, permeance, and permeability is ASTM E96. This test measures the quantity of water vapor passing through a material under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
This test evaluates the material’s ability to act as a barrier to moisture, which is crucial in determining the performance and behavior of building materials, packaging films, membranes, textiles, and coatings.
It involves sealing a test specimen over a cup or dish containing either a desiccant (dry method) or water (wet process), and then monitoring the rate of weight change as moisture moves through the material.
Understanding how materials resist or allow water vapor transmission is essential for product design, durability, and performance in moisture-sensitive applications.
ASTM E96 helps:
This standard is widely recognized in the construction, packaging, and textile industries as a reliable measure of water vapor control performance.
ASTM E96 applies to a wide variety of materials where water vapor control is essential, including:
Specimens can be rigid or flexible, coated or uncoated, and are typically tested in flat form.
The ASTM E96 test provides several key parameters that describe a material’s moisture barrier performance:
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) | g/m²·day | The rate of water vapor passage through the material |
| Water Vapor Permeance | g/Pa·s·m² | The ability of the material to transmit moisture per unit pressure difference |
| Water Vapor Permeability | g·m/m²·Pa·s | A material property normalized to its thickness |
| Relative Humidity Gradient | % | Difference in humidity across the specimen during testing |
These results help classify materials as vapor barriers, vapor retarders, or vapor-permeable—essential for validating performance and selecting the right product.
ASTM E96 is widely applied across industries that prioritize moisture management, including:
The data supports compliance, product development, and life-cycle performance assessments.
Typical ASTM E96 test setups include:
Weight changes are recorded periodically to calculate the rate of vapor transmission through the specimen.
| Parameter | Typical Condition |
| Temperature | 23°C ± 0.5°C |
| Relative Humidity | 50% ± 2% (chamber) |
| Test Duration | Until the steady-state is achieved (usually 24–72 hours) |
| Cup Methods | Water Method (Wet Cup) / Desiccant Method (Dry Cup) |
| Air Velocity | Controlled or measured as specified |
| Sample Thickness | As per material specification |
Consistent environmental control is essential for reproducible and comparable results.
ASTM E96 primarily quantifies the moisture transmission behavior of materials, including:
These properties directly relate to a material’s durability, comfort, and protection against moisture-related damage.
Other test methods that evaluate moisture or vapor transmission include:
Each method is selected based on the type of material and desired precision.
ASTM E96 provides a standard method for determining the water vapor transmission properties of materials in a well-defined and reliable manner. This allows the manufacturer, engineer, and research personnel to understand how the material performs under real conditions of high or low humidity and temperature.
This test guides product development, material selection, and quality assurance, ensuring that materials perform their intended functions, whether as a moisture barrier or breathable membrane.
ASTM E 96 is considered one of the basic building block tests for the construction, packaging, and textile industries, evaluating functional performance against industry standards.
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ASTM E96 is used to measure the amount of water vapor that passes through a material over time under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. It determines a material’s water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), permeance, and permeability—key indicators of moisture control performance.
Controlling water vapor is vital for preventing condensation, corrosion, mold growth, and material degradation. ASTM E96 testing helps determine if a material is suitable as a moisture barrier or breathable membrane, ensuring product reliability, comfort, and compliance with performance standards.
The duration depends on the material and method used. Typically, testing continues until steady-state conditions are reached, which may take 24 to 72 hours or longer for thicker, low-permeability materials.
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