Humidity Exposure Testing of Packaging
The agriculture and forestry sector is highly reliant on effective packaging solutions that can withstand various environmental conditions during transport and storage. Humidity exposure testing plays a critical role in ensuring that packaging materials are capable of protecting agricultural goods from moisture damage, which can significantly impact product quality and shelf life.
Humidity exposure tests simulate the real-world conditions experienced by packaged goods as they travel through different environments, such as warehouses, trucks, or ships. This type of testing is essential for quality managers and compliance officers who need to ensure that packaging adheres to industry standards and meets regulatory requirements. Additionally, R&D engineers can use this service to innovate new packaging solutions tailored specifically for the agriculture sector.
During humidity exposure testing, specimens are exposed to controlled levels of relative humidity over a specified period. The test parameters include temperature control, humidity levels, duration, and the type of specimen being tested. Specimens commonly tested include boxes, crates, pallets, and other packaging used in agricultural goods transport. Acceptance criteria for such tests typically involve assessing changes in physical properties like tensile strength, flexibility, and puncture resistance.
One of the most critical aspects of humidity exposure testing is specimen preparation. Properly preparing specimens ensures accurate test results and reliable data interpretation. Specimens should be cut to standard sizes based on industry guidelines or as per customer specifications if applicable. For agricultural goods packaging, it's important to consider how the packaging will interact with the product inside during transport.
The instrumentation used in humidity exposure testing includes climate chambers capable of maintaining precise temperature and humidity settings. These chambers allow for controlled environmental conditions that mimic actual transportation scenarios. Data collected from these tests provides insights into potential issues such as delamination, warping, or cracking which could compromise packaging integrity.
| Applied Standards | Description |
|---|---|
| ISO 12947-2:2015 (Packaging — Determination of resistance to water vapour transmission rate) | This standard specifies the procedure for determining the rate at which water vapor passes through packaging materials under specified conditions. |
| ASTM D6383-17 (Standard Guide for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing of Flexible Packaging Films and Sheets) | A guide providing guidance on testing flexible packaging films and sheets to determine their water vapor transmission rates. |
| Use Cases and Application Examples | Description |
|---|---|
| Testing box integrity for fresh produce transport | Evaluating how well a standard cardboard box can maintain the quality of fruits or vegetables during transit. |
| Assessing crate durability for dry bulk grain shipment | Determining whether wooden crates are suitable for transporting large quantities of grains without sustaining damage due to moisture absorption. |
Applied Standards
Benefits
- Improved Product Quality: Ensures that agricultural goods arrive at their destination in optimal condition, minimizing spoilage.
- Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: By protecting products from moisture damage, businesses can improve customer trust and loyalty.
- Compliance with Regulations: Helps packaging manufacturers meet necessary compliance requirements set by regulatory bodies like the USDA or EU directives.
- Informed Decision Making: Provides valuable data that informs R&D efforts aimed at developing more effective packaging solutions tailored to specific agricultural products.
