A measure of vapour permeability

There are occasions when a failing seal is not too much of a problem, but there are also mission-critical occasions when they must not fail – and every stage between the two. In all of these cases seals, O-rings, mastics and enclosures are designed to keep things either in, or out. The most common problem is not liquids – but their vapours, as these can pass straight through solid barriers and seals that keep the liquids out, sometimes almost as if the seal were not there.

Versaperm’s latest vapour test instrumentation can identify and measure this for water, grease, CO2, oil, solvents and every other vapour in general use. This allows designers and manufacturers to design or specify materials and effectively eliminate the problem in any specific situation. It also enables QC departments to check that incoming materials, outgoing products and manufacturing processes have not drifted out of their specifications.

A single manufacturing process, such as forming, can alter a material’s permeability to vapours by a factor of four times.

In many cases the new Versaperm equipment takes just 30 minutes to do this and achieve results in the PPM (Parts per Million) or PPB range and can optionally measure several samples, seals, enclosures or products at a time.  

The company also runs consultancy and laboratory services that offers advice on permeability in complex cases or where the volume or logistics does not mandate a dedicated instrument.