Package Integrity Testing
What is Package Integrity Testing?
Package Integrity Testing is the evaluation of packaging to meet the desired amount of protection or containment of the packaging components. The physical capability of the packaging is evaluated to measure the protection of the package’s contents. This is performed by measuring: microbiological, chemical, product, and barrier attributes. Testing for package integrity provides assurance that a package is sealed properly, the product within is contained, and foreign contaminants remain outside the packaging system. In the long run, testing for package integrity will save your company thousands of dollars from potential defects or failures later on. It is important to make sure your packaged product is capable of handling the conditions it will face along the way.Â
How To Test for Package Integrity
Bubble Emission
Burst Test
Dye Penetration
Dye Penetration Package Integrity Testing is a destructive package integrity test that is applied to a transparent material that has been sealed to a porous material. A dye solution is injected into the package along the longest edge of the inner seal. Once the dye has been injected, a visual inspection is performed looking for channels of dye dispersed across the package’s heat seals. Potential defects within the seal of a sterile barrier system can then be visually assessed using this type of testing. There are three different dye penetration methodologies with Method A being the preferred testing methodology.
Method A – Injection: The dye solution is injected into the package along the longest seal edge and the seal is inspected for channeling or leaks.
Method B – Edge Dip: The edge of the package is physically dipped into the dye solution and then observed for any wicking upward for any channels.
Method C – Eye Dropper: After separating the two materials, an eye dropper is used to place a bead of dye solution along the outside edge of the package seal to detect a channel in the seal.
The ASTM standard used for dye penetration testing is ASTM F1929 – Standard Test Method for Detecting Seal Leaks in Porous Medical Packaging by Dye Penetration.
Why Purple Diamond for Package Integrity Testing?
Package Integrity Testing is completed on site at Purple Diamond and can be tailored to your specific testing needs. By testing for your packaged product’s specific needs, we can simulate the conditions that your packaged goods will be exposed to during the product’s lifecycle. Purple Diamond is able to test packaged products as a single unit or as part of a full pallet load, offering Materials Testing in conjunction with Package Integrity Testing to determine how exactly a product will operate within its protective barrier.
Our engineers work with you throughout the entire testing process to address any concerns, consult alongside you to offer recommendations, and ultimately help you create the best packaging for your product. Purple Diamond is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific package integrity testing needs.
As always, Purple Diamond offers you the ability to either schedule an initial consultation, complimentary, OR you can book a facility tour and come on in and visit. Definitely feel free to stop in to the lab if you are close to the Lehigh Valley. The packaging and whole Purple Diamond team is here to assist you anyway that we can. The initial consultation can be either a phone call or a zoom call, whatever is more convenient for you. Reach out via the Contact Us page by either filling out the contact us form OR booking some time on the calendar below the contact form. Either way we will get back to you! Thank you so much for reading down this far and thank you for considering Purple Diamond as your dedicated testing, engineering, and design facility for all of your packaging needs. A complete list of all the standard tests that we provide here on site can be found under the “Standard Test Lists” Tab at the top of this website. This is helpful when you are determining which test you actually need. But of course, remember that we are just a phone call, an email, or a contact request form away from helping you. Thank you again.
Related Testing Standards
- ASTM D642
- ASTM D685
- ASTM D880
- ASTM D951
- ASTM D999
- ASTM D3078
- ASTM D3103
- ASTM D3285
- ASTM D4169
- ASTM D4332
- ASTM D4728
- ASTM D5265
- ASTM D5276
- ASTM D5277
- ASTM D5487
- ASTM D6055
- ASTM D6179
- ASTM D6344
- ASTM D6653
- ASTM D7386
- ASTM F88
- ASTM F1140
- ASTM F1886
- ASTM F1929
- ASTM F1980
- ASTM F2096
- ASTM F2250
- ASTM F3039