Examinationmethods
SML (specific migration limit) analysis of individual substances for compliance assessment
Quantitative analysis of substances with limits (SML, SML(T), QM, QMA etc.) or non-evaluated substances by gas chromatography (e. g. HS-GC, GC/MS), liquid chromatography (e. g. HPLC/MS), mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) in food simulants or foodstuffs after migration or (residual) content determination in the material or article.
PAA -Primary Aromatic Amines, specific migration by HPLC-MS/MS, multimethod
Primary aromatic amines, specific migration using a multi-method
Residual solvents determination
DIN EN 13628-2 (industrial method), Headspace gas chromatography FID, multi-method, listing of solvents: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, cyclohexane, acetone, benzene, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 1-methoxy-2-propanol, toluene, n-propyl acetate, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methoxy -1-butanol, isododecane, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, 3-butoxy-2-propanol, diacetone alcohol, acetylacetone
Set-off test from printing inks and laquers according Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006
Laboratory storage test to evaluate the inertness of printed and laquered articles in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006 (GMP), transfer of ink constituents or coating components from the printed surface on the food-contact surface, e. g. in winded reels, stacked hollow bodies, material stacks, materials/objects that are intended for direct food contact, in the laboratory. Specific migrations or NIAS screenings are required afterwards, which must be selected depending on the printing ink/varnish used in order to evaluate whether a migration is occurring (please add additional test).
Primary aromatic amines photometric sum method
Photometric sum method according to § 64 LFGB method L 00.006
The verification of compliance with the limit value must be carried out with specific migration tests. A check of conformity with the screening procedure according to method L 00.00 6 in accordance with § 64 LFGB serves to estimate whether the sum of 0.01 mg/kg is not exceeded, but is not sufficient as proof of conformity.
According to a statement of the German Working Group of Food Chemistry Experts and the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (ALS) No. 2022/06, the summation method according to § 64 L 00.00-6 for the determination of primary aromatic amines (paA) in aqueous test food is not sufficient for the proof of compliance of the mass transfer of these substances from e.g. plastics or paper and board. This is because the migration cannot be determined with sufficient sensitivity in relation to the limit values due to the response of many paA during derivatisation, which differs significantly from that of the comparative amine aniline.
Overall migration acc. Reg. (EU) No 10/2011 standard test conditions (OM 0 - OM 7)
Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 (PIM)/DIN EN 1186 classical food simulants for all filling goods (no alternative tests like Isooctane testing):
A = Ethanol 10 % (v/v), B = Acetic acid 3 % (w/v), C= Ethanol 20 % (v/v), D1 = Ethanol 50 % (v/v), D2 = Vegetable oil, E = poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) (Tenax ®)
sensory analysis of packaging materials/transition of sensory perceptible substances to test foodstuffs
Organoleptic determination of the flavour transition (gustatory, olfactory and trigeminal sensations may be influenced by tactile, thermal, painful and/or kinaestesic effects) from packaging materials to standard test foodstuffs, commonly known as the "Robinson test", as well as change in appearance and odour of the test foodstuff.
Damage analysis/examination of complaints
In many cases, it is not immediately obvious which kind of tests are necessary and reasonable for clarification. Furthermore, test results which are available in short time are often helpful for further decisions.
Our “diagnostic concept” provides the agreement of a limited budget (normally 700,- up to 1.000,- Euro) for the screening and evaluation of information already available as well as the realisation and assessment of first tests according to an agreed schedule. The result is a more detailed view of the damage, possible solutions and indications for additional and reasonable investigations and researches are given. You will receive first reliable test results and an appropriate documentation of the current situation at short notice and at a fixed price.
Information on the frequency of damage, time of detection, technical information such as material structure or test results already known are helpful for a successful processing as experience has shown. If available, please send us reference samples, data sheets, specifications.
Bond strength/peel force of laminates/multi-layer films/bondings (temperature range - 40 up to + 120 °C)
DIN 53357 A (historical)/ASTM F 904/DIN EN ISO 11339 peel test after separation of the laminated layers (accredited test method). In addition to determining the peel force to delaminate the laminate, we also evaluate and document the delamination characteristics resp. the delamination mechanism (peeling off of the printing ink?Remaining of the adhesive layer? Tearing of the film ? Transfer of ink to the opposite side of the material ? ...)
Grammage, yield
Determination of the grammage (e.g. plastic film and fabric or nonwoven, packaging film, paper and cardboard, aluminum foil for thickness measurement), calculation of the yield (in the dimension [m²/kg material]).
Fat-repellent impregnation of paper, lipophobic properties, Kit test
Formerly 3M kit test, classification of fat impregnation of papers by wetting tests with solutions based on castor oil, n-heptane and toluene. If the fat impermeability of plastic coatings/lacquers, e.g. on paper, is to be tested, please select the "fat permeability/fat density" method.
Abrasion test of printings acc. Dr. Ruf method
Determination of abrasion resistance of printings, laqcuers etc. The test can be performed dry (as received), wet (after immersion in water) or after storage in liquid media/filling goods respectively after other pretreatments (sterilization, UV irradiation).
Printing ink adhesion (Tesa test)
Self-adhesive tape test (Tesa test), Sun Chemical-Hartmann_PV-No.1 or ASTM F 2252
Blocking test/blocking strength
Testing the blocking tendency of plane packaging materials, in dependence on temperature T [°C], pressure p [MPa] and time t [h]. The evaluation is carried out either by manual test or by determining of blocking force Fmax [N] in a shear test using a tensile tester.
If the sample is to be tested under several conditions, please create the test accordingly several times with the respective parameter settings.
Curling or flatness
The curling of sheet materials depends generally on temperature and conditioning state. So multilayer materials made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion or unequal expansion/shrinkage due to deviating hygroscopic tendency may tend to curl caused by a kind of bi-metall effect. In addition to that excessive mechanical stress in the processing of rolls can lead ot curling.
Drop test of bags and pouches
Drop test of the pouches or bags or strength of the closure system of drawstring bags per test load, standard n = 10 (testing of n = 30 bags: extra charge).
Anti-dew (anti-fog) test
Examination of transparent films or packages for anti-dew properties, as cold fog (storage in refrigerator T = 6° C) and/or hot fog (filling with hot tap water T = 60° C and storage at T = 23° C). The bedewing of the sample is forced by falling below the dew point, visually assessed and photographically documented.
Seal resistance of printings or coatings (heat resitance)
Over sealing of the sample by laboratory sealer against fine paper with smooth or structurated sealing bars, determination of max Ts [°C] till deterioration of printing or laquer (adhesion, discoloration) with constant ps [N/cm²], ts [s].
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy
Identification of materials, contaminations, additives, laquers, adhesives, adhesive-based anti sealing effect etc. with different techniques depending on sample and problem
Moisture content/water content (residual moisture)
The choice of the appropriate method depends essentially on the expected moisture content. Higher water contents can be determined gravimetrically well with the drying oven technique. When lower water contents are expected, the water selective Karl Fischer titration should be chosen, as incorrect measurements, for example by other volatile matters can be excluded. The Karl Fischer method is, however, not intended for determination of higher water contents.
Coating quantity/weight of adhesives, lacquers, coatings, hotmelts, cold sealants
Gravimetric determination according FhG information sheet 11 part 1, results in [g/m²]
Note: The application weight of the cured reactive adhesives or laquer systems (e. g. polyurethane laminating adhesive in composite films or epoxy laqueres) mostly can not be determined, because the method works only by removability of the layer to be tested, e.g. by dissolving under usage of solvents. We recommend in such cases an orienting light microscopic measurement of the adhesive or lacquer layer thickness by means of a microtome cross section.
Microscopic examination with light microscopy, photographic documentation included
Microscopic examination of any samples. Invoicing according to time spent.
Oxidation stability (OIT) as oxidation induction time or oxidation induction temperature via DSC
ISO 11357-6 Determination of Oxidation resistance via xidation induction time (isothermal OIT) or oxidation induction temperature (dynamic OIT) by Diffential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). In the isothermal method, the sample is heated under nitrogen atmosphere to a defined temperature, then switched to an oxygen or air atmosphere and the time until oxidation begins is measured. In dynamic testing, the sample is heated under an oxygen or air atmosphere at a constant heating rate until oxidation occurs. The temperature at which oxidation begins is measured.
Opacity measurement
The measurements are carried out using a spectrophotometer according to ISO 2471 or DIN 6125. An opacity card (Leneta) type 2 a serves as a black and white base according to DIN 6125.
Optical density
Characteristic value for specification of the light density of coloured or metallized films as well as other light-tight materials by densitometer instrument Gretag McBeth.
Gloss measurement
Reflectometer measurement to determine the degree of gloss. The measuring angle depends on the surface of the sample (measuring angle: high glossy: 20°, medium glossy: 60°, matt glossy: 85°).
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils, etc.
Coulombmetric (oxygen specific) carrier gas method Method (Ametek/ Mocon). Usually deviating from the standard as a double determination
Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) of moulded parts, packages, pouches, bottles, etc. (only suitable for barrier materials, see also "i")
The measurement is carried out by using the the water vapor specific hydrolysis method, which allows to detect even the lowest permeabilities precisely and reproducibly. Besides the standard parameters offered, measurements can be carried out under a wide variety of temperature and humidity conditions.
Attention: This method is only suitable for packs with a good water vapour barrier. Materials with high permeation coefficients, e.g. PA, thermoplastic starch or PLA, can not be measured due to excessive permeation.
Permeation (air, helium, argon, others on request) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils
The method enables permeation measurement of permanent gases according to the non-selective manometric method. The measurement is only possible with dry gas (0% relative humidity).
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