ASTM D3078 Standard Test Method

What is the ASTM D3078 Standard?

ASTM D3078 is a standard test method for determination gross leakage in flexible packages containing headspace gases by bubble emission test method.
Determine whether the sample meets the standard requirements by observing whether air bubbles are generated and whether there is liquid leakage in the sample.

ASTM D3078 Testing Requirements

When you are ready to test a package, the following requirements need to be met:

• Vacuum Chamber: Transparent vacuum chamber capable of withstanding one standard atmospheric pressure with vacuum sealing cover. The vacuum gauge, the inlet pipe from the vacuum source, and the outlet pipe to atmosphere shall be connected to the hatch cover.
• Submerging Solution: Choose a submerging solution that will not damage the sample under test, usually water is chosen as the submerging solution.

ASTM D3078 Testing Process

ASTM D3078 is a test method for determining leakage from flexible packages containing headspace gas bodies. It detects leakage primarily by observing the formation of air bubbles in a sample submerged in a water bath within a vacuum cavity. The following is a brief overview of the test procedure:

• Immerse the sample in a vacuum chamber filled with water and close the vacuum sealing lid.
• The vacuum chamber is evacuated to create a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the specimen immersed in water, and the sample is observed for the emergence of stable bubbles.
• The presence of stable bubbles indicates that the sample is leaking and does not meet the requirements of the standard. If no bubbles are generated then the sample meets the test requirements.

ASTM D3078 Applications

ASTM D3078 is versatile and applicable to a wide range of industries and is suitable for a wide range of flexible packaging, testing the seal integrity of products.

• Pharmaceuticals & Medical
  Testing sterile containers, pharmaceutical packaging, medical devices. Ensure compliance with sterility standards and prevent contamination.
• Food and Beverage
  Verify sealing of food pouches, bottles, cans and boxes. Prevent spoilage and meet FDA safety requirements.
• Industrial Chemicals
  Inspect sealing of packaging for pesticides, spray paints, lubricants, etc. Reduce leaks of flammable/toxic substances.
• Automotive
  Test brake cleaners, refrigerant tanks, electric vehicle battery housings. Prevent flammable leaks and electrical hazards.
• Aerospace
  Certify sealing of fuel tanks, hydraulic systems, oxygen cylinders, etc. Ensure integrity at extreme pressures/temperatures.

ASTM D3078 Testing Equipment

MFY-CM Intelligent Leak Tester adopts ASTM D3078 standard test method. It is used for leakage testing of various packages of food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, daily chemical products, electronic components, stationery and other industrial products.

• 7-inch touch interface is more convenient to operate.
• Two test modes-pressure maintaining and pressure increasing can meet different requirements.
• Automatic controlling process: vacuum, maintain pressure, replenish pressure, timing, back blow, print, save and upload data.
• Equipped with micro-printer, USB interface and PC software.
• The units of mbar and kPa can be converted freely.
• The instrument saves testing records automatically and the data can be outputted as Excel format.
• Users’ grading authority management meets the requirement of GMP.
• The testing results are synchronously uploaded to the cloud server for storage and can be browsed.
• Bilingual choice of English and Chinese.
• The dual back-up of local data and cloud data is attained.

Conclusion

ASTM D3078 provides an important method for verifying the seal integrity of flexible packaging and plays a vital role in the manufacturing process. By detecting leaks through bubble emission testing, the standard ensures product safety against pharmaceutical contamination, food spoilage, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. As the definitive benchmark for packaging performance, ASTM D3078 is critical to delivering reliable, consumer-safe products to the marketplace.