ISO 15106-4:2008

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15106-4
First edition
2008-06-01
Plastics — Film and sheeting —
Determination of water vapour
transmission rate —
Part 4:
Gas-chromatographic detection sensor
method
Plastiques — Film et feuille — Détermination du coefficient de
transmission de vapeur d'eau —
Partie 4: Méthode utilisant un détecteur à chromatographie en phase
gazeuse
Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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ii ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Test specimens . 1
6 Conditioning . 2
7 Apparatus . 2
8 Test conditions . 4
9 Calibration graph . 4
10 Procedure . 4
11 Calculation . 5
12 Test result . 5
13 Precision . 5
14 Test report . 6
Bibliography . 7
©
ISO 2008 – All rights reserved iii

Foreword
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(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
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Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 15106-4 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 11, Products.
ISO 15106 consists of the following parts, under the general title Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination
of water vapour transmission rate:
— Part 1: Humidity detection sensor method
— Part 2: Infrared detection sensor method
— Part 3: Electrolytic detection sensor method
— Part 4: Gas-chromatographic detection sensor method
©
iv ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15106-4:2008(E)
Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of water vapour
transmission rate —
Part 4:
Gas-chromatographic detection sensor method
1Scope
This part of ISO 15106 specifies an instrumental method for determining the water vapour transmission rate of
single-layer plastic film and sheet, as well as multi-layer structures including plastics, using a gas
chromatograph.
NOTE The method provides rapid measurement over a wide range of water vapour transmission rates.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
water vapour transmission rate
WVTR
amount of water vapour transmitted through unit area of test specimen per unit time under specified conditions
NOTE Water vapour transmission rate is expressed in grams per square metre 24 hours [g/(m · 24 h)].
4 Principle
A dry chamber, evacuated by a vacuum pump, is separated from a wet chamber, in which the relative humidity
of a gas flow is controlled at a specified level, by a test specimen. The water vapour transmitted through the
specimen is collected in a sampling loop for a certain period of time. The absolute mass of the water collected
is measured using a gas chromatograph. The water vapour transmission rate is then calculated from the mass
of water vapour transmitted, the period of time and the transmission area of the specimen.
5 Test specimens
5.1 The specimens shall be representative of the material, be free from wrinkles, creases and pinholes, and
have uniform thickness. Each specimen shall have a larger area than the transmission area of the cell, and shall
be hermetically mounted.
5.2 Three determinations shall be made using separate specimens unless otherwise specified or agreed
between the interested parties.
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ISO 2008 – All rights reserved 1

NOTE For some products, testing more than three specimens gives a more representative result.
5.3 Unless otherwise specified, determine the thickness of each specimen in accordance with ISO 4593 at
three equally spaced points.
6 Conditioning
The specimens, whose thickness has been determined in accordance with ISO 4593, shall be conditioned at
the same temperature and humidity as specified for the test for a length of time appropriate to the material
under test, unless otherwise agreed between the interested parties.
NOTE If the gas-chromatographic apparatus includes a test cell having an automatic conditioning system, the tes
...