CONTRACT TESTING FOR
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MATERIALS

Permeation testing assesses how gases or vapours pass through materials like polymers, fabrics, or membranes. Knowing gas permeability rates is crucial for fields – like food packaging and medical devices – that need to maintain barriers against moisture, odours, or chemicals for product safety and shelf-life.

Heat seal testing equipment assesses the strength and integrity of seals formed between materials using heat to ensure products remain protected during handling, transportation, and storage. The test subjects seal samples to controlled temperature and pressure conditions to simulate real-world scenarios and determine their ability to withstand stress.

Leak testing verifies seal integrity to prevent unintended substance leakage. Burst testing determines the maximum pressure a component can withstand before failure, ensuring safety and reliability. Creep testing evaluates how materials deform under constant stress over time, crucial for durability assessments. These tests – collectively known as package integrity testing – contribute to product quality, reliability, and safety (particularly for food and medical pouches).

Coefficient of friction (COF) testing ensures that packaging materials have the right slip and grip balance. It measures how smoothly materials slide on manufacturing equipment and how much friction they provide to prevent slippage during transportation and stacking. Testing helps to optimise packaging designs, ensuring efficient production, easy handling, and secure stacking, ultimately improving product quality and reducing costs.

Tensile testing measures strength; crush testing assesses compression resistance; bending testing checks flexibility. Tear testing evaluates resistance to tearing, while impact testing assesses resilience to shocks. Penetration testing ensures puncture resistance against sharp objects. These tests for durability and protection – collectively known as physical response testing – guarantee packaging materials meet rigorous standards for performance and reliability.

Surface testing assesses texture and appearance, vital for aesthetics and functionality. Optical testing – including haze, clarity, transmittance, and gloss testing – evaluates visual properties. Haze testing measures cloudiness, crucial for transparency. Clarity testing assesses transparency, while transmittance measures light passage. Gloss testing evaluates reflectivity, enhancing aesthetic appeal. Together, these tests ensure packaging materials enhance product presentation and consumer satisfaction.