Water Vapor Barrier Property Test Method of Aluminized Paper for Cigarette Pack

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The aluminized paper is mainly composed of paper and aluminum coating, which is widely used in package for cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, labels of bottles, tea, food, cosmetics, daily chemicals, gifts and handicrafts, etc. for its smooth and glossy surface, good flexibility and proper barrier properties. Besides, the aluminum coatings of aluminized paper have good abrasion resistance, which is suitable for printing and mechanical processing. Sometimes, the aluminized paper is also used in construction materials.

When aluminized paper is used in cigarette pack, its main function is to prevent the cigarettes from the moisture in the external environment, which may enter the interior of cigarette pack and cause deterioration of the product. The aluminized paper should have sufficient water vapor barrier property so that the cigarettes can be kept away from the moisture in external environment and thus the shelf life of the cigarettes can be extended. Therefore, it is necessary for the cigarette manufacturers to strengthen the water vapor barrier property tests of the aluminized paper they use for cigarette pack.

This article provides a test method of water vapor barrier property of aluminized paper for your reference. The testing instrument we used is Labthink’s W3/031 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester.

Figure 1. Aluminized Paper used for Cigarette Pack

Currently, there are mainly two categories of test methods for water vapor transmission rate i.e. gravimetric method (also known as cup method and divided into dry cup method and wet cup method) and sensor method (including electrolytic sensor method, infrared sensor method and humidity sensor method). Labthink’s W3/031 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester uses gravimetric method. Under a certain test temperature, a constant humidity difference is generated between two sides of the test specimen. The water vapor permeates through the specimen and into the dry side. By measuring the weight changes of the test dish in different time, water vapor transmission rate and other parameters can be obtained.

Figure 2. W3/031 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester

The tests can be performed according to the following procedures.

(1)   Cut three pieces of specimens from the provided sample with sample cutter. The diameter of the specimen should be 74mm.

(2)   Clamp the specimens in three test dishes respectively and then close the glass door of the instrument.

(3)   Set specimen name, specimen thickness, test temperature, test humidity and other test parameters.

(4)   Turn on the gas supply and click Start Test to start the test.

(5)   When the tests are finished, the test results will be calculated and displayed automatically.

For more details about W3/031 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Tester, please visit www.labthink.com