Introduction

In the packaging industry, maintaining the integrity of seals is crucial for ensuring product safety and quality. Seal strength testing equipment is designed to evaluate the seal’s ability to withstand environmental conditions, preventing leaks and contamination. This testing is essential for industries such as food packaging, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and many others, where packaging performance directly affects product quality and consumer safety.

Cell Instruments’ Seal Strength Testing Equipment provides a precise, reliable method for assessing seal integrity, ensuring that packaged products remain safe, protected, and compliant with industry standards.

What is Seal Strength Testing Equipment?

Seal strength testing equipment is used to assess the strength and reliability of seals in packaging materials. The equipment evaluates whether the seals of various packaging types (plastic, paper, aluminum, etc.) are strong enough to prevent leaks that could compromise the product. This test is commonly used for packaging materials in food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer goods.

By using advanced testing technology, the seal strength tester helps identify weak or faulty seals before they reach consumers, ensuring high product quality and compliance with safety standards.

Overview of ASTM D3078: Seal Integrity Test Standards

What is ASTM D3078?

ASTM D3078 is a standard test method developed by ASTM International for detecting leaks in sealed packages. This method applies a vacuum to the package and monitors for the presence of bubbles that indicate leaks, ensuring the seal’s integrity. The test is especially important for the food and pharmaceutical industries, where packaging must maintain its integrity to prevent contamination or spoilage.

Test Method According to ASTM D3078

The ASTM D3078 standard outlines a process in which the package is placed inside a water-filled chamber. The chamber is sealed, and the air is evacuated until the preset vacuum level is reached. If a leak exists, the difference in air pressure forces trapped air to escape, forming visible bubbles at the site of the leak. This method provides an effective and reliable means of detecting even the smallest leaks.

Key Test Methods and Parameters

Test Process

The seal strength testing process follows a straightforward sequence outlined by ASTM D3078:

Sample Preparation: The sample package is placed inside a transparent water-filled chamber.
Vacuum Application: The control unit extracts air until a preset vacuum level is achieved.
Leak Detection: If a seal is compromised, bubbles will form at the point of the leak, indicating the package’s failure.

Main Testing Parameters

Test Range	0~-90 KPa
Chamber	Acrylic Cylinder Shape
Test Space	Φ270*H210mm (Inside Usable)
Compressed Air	0.7MPa (Prepared by user)
Power	110~220V 50/60Hz

These parameters allow the user to test a variety of packaging materials and sizes, ensuring flexibility across different production and testing environments.

Technical Features of Seal Strength Testing Equipment

PLC-Controlled Operation

The equipment is controlled by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), ensuring stable, repeatable, and high-quality test results. The user interface is designed with an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) touch screen, providing intuitive control and ease of operation.

Efficient Vacuum System

The testing unit uses a Venturi tube to generate a vacuum of up to -90 KPa, making it an energy-efficient system. This vacuum level is sufficient to identify leaks, even those that are very small, ensuring high-quality testing without the need for additional equipment.

Visual Leak Detection

The test uses a visual observation method for leak detection. When a leak is present, air escaping from the package forms visible bubbles in the water-filled chamber, allowing for quick identification. The equipment provides cumulative results, making it easy to assess multiple tests and their effectiveness over time.

Parameter Saving Function

To optimize testing efficiency, the Seal Strength Tester includes a parameter-saving function for up to 5 different test setups. This allows users to save specific parameters such as vacuum levels and test times, making it easier to switch between different sample types and testing conditions.

Customizable Chamber and Optional Features

The testing chamber is made from high-quality transparent acrylic, allowing for clear observation of the test process. Custom chamber sizes and shapes are available for testing a variety of packaging formats. The unit also offers optional features such as:

Micro Printer for sample identification and test result documentation.
Language Adaptation for international markets, ensuring the tester is accessible for users in different regions.
Vacuum Pump Integration to allow higher vacuum levels for more demanding testing scenarios.

Benefits of Seal Strength Testing Equipment

Quality Assurance

Seal strength testing is critical for ensuring that packaging can withstand environmental stresses, protecting the contents from damage, contamination, or spoilage. This testing is vital for the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries, where the safety and integrity of the product are paramount.

Customization

The equipment can accommodate different packaging types, from small pouches to large containers, offering flexibility for a wide range of industries. The ability to save test parameters for various materials makes the equipment adaptable to multiple testing scenarios.

Cost-Effective and Efficient

With its easy-to-use interface, automated features, and customizable settings, the Seal Strength Testing Equipment allows businesses to conduct tests efficiently without compromising on accuracy. Its ability to save test setups and generate cumulative results optimizes workflow, reducing testing time and costs.

Relevant Standards: ASTM D3078 and Beyond

ASTM D3078

This standard method is widely used in industries where the integrity of package seals is critical. It ensures that packaging meets the necessary performance standards for preventing leaks and protecting the contents from external contamination.

ASTM D4991

ASTM D4991 is another related standard that focuses on leak testing of sealed packages using a different method (dye penetration or pressure decay). This standard is also used alongside ASTM D3078 for comprehensive package leak testing.

Why Choose Cell Instruments’ Seal Strength Testing Equipment?

Cell Instruments is a trusted name in the material testing industry. With years of experience in packaging material testing and custom testing solutions, we offer high-precision equipment designed to meet the demanding needs of various industries. Our Seal Strength Testing Equipment is engineered to provide reliable, accurate, and efficient results, helping businesses ensure the integrity of their packaging.

With the flexibility to test different packaging materials and the capability to save multiple test setups, our equipment is designed to streamline your testing process and improve your quality control.

Ensuring packaging seal integrity is vital to maintaining product safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards. Cell Instruments’ Seal Strength Testing Equipment offers an efficient, reliable, and customizable solution for businesses that require high-precision leak detection. Whether you are testing food packaging, medical device seals, or pharmaceutical containers, our equipment provides the accuracy and consistency you need to ensure your products reach the market with the utmost quality.

FAQ Section

What is the ASTM D3078 standard for seal integrity testing?
- ASTM D3078 is a standard test method for detecting leaks in sealed packages using vacuum application. It ensures the packaging maintains its integrity by identifying any weak seals that could lead to contamination or spoilage.
How does seal strength testing equipment work?
- The equipment places the sample in a water-filled chamber, applies a vacuum, and detects leaks by observing the formation of bubbles in the chamber if the seal is compromised.
What industries use seal strength testing?
- Seal strength testing is critical in industries such as food packaging, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and consumer goods, where seal integrity is essential for product safety.
Can I test different packaging materials with this equipment?
- Yes, the equipment is versatile and can test a variety of packaging materials, including plastics, paper, and aluminum, with customizable chamber sizes and vacuum levels.
What are the key benefits of using Cell Instruments’ seal strength testing equipment?
- Key benefits include high accuracy, customizable features, easy operation with an intuitive HMI interface, and the ability to save test parameters for different packaging types.

LT-03 Leak Tester