Determination of the nitrogen gas transmission rate (N2GTR) of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, using a newly developed permeation measurement system. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maes, Caroline; Molder, Maarten te; Luyten, Wout; Herremans, Geert; Winckelmans, Naomi; Peeters, Roos; Carleer, Robert; Buntinx, Mieke
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 93(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer -- EVOH -- Nitrogen gas transmission rate -- Permeability -- Barrier properties; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2020.106979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: The oxygen (O2 ) barrier properties of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) have been widely investigated, but for other gases the available data are usually limited to dry conditions due to limitations in measurement equipment. Innovative permeation measurement systems with low detection limits are required to determine the gas transmission rate (GTR) of other gases, such as nitrogen (N2 ) at varying temperature and relative humidity. This study presents the design and development of a versatile permeation measurement system consisting of two subsystems: a permeation system and a detection system using gas chromatography and a pulsed discharge helium ionization detector. The measured O2 GTR and N2 GTR of three different 20 μm-EVOH grades containing 32, 44 and 48 mol% ethylene are in good accordance to those obtained on validated MOCON OX-TRAN® modules and a GC-differential pressure method respectively, with differences within the analytical uncertainty of each method. Highlights: PEBaMeT system stands for Permeability EVOH Barrier Measurement Tool. This new system can measure permeation at different temperature and relative humidity and is based on GC principles. PEBaMeT oxygen permeability measurements are in accordance with existing validated methods. The nitrogen barrier of EVOH measured at different temperature and relative humidity settings is outstanding. Next to the barrier against oxygen, EVOH also has outstanding barrier against nitrogen.