What Is a Seal Integrity Tester and How to Choose One

Safety cannot be understated when handling consumer foods and products. Packaging plays a pivotal role in ensuring the contents are safe and secure. However, you can only guarantee this if the packages have a strong seal. Seal integrity testers are an integral part of the production process, but you may wonder what they are. This article will answer your question and provide insights to help you decide on the right one.

What Is a Seal Integrity Tester?

A seal integrity tester is a device that tests the strength of the seal on a packaged product. Seals close packages to keep the contents safe and secure. They require top-notch quality control since faulty ones can lead to disastrous results for your consumers.

The tester also measures the force that can break a seal as a quality control method. The test result identifies leaks and defects on seals and gaskets in many pharmaceutical and food processing industries to guarantee consumer safety.

How Important Is Seal Integrity in Packaging?

Customers rarely think about a packaged product's seal when opening it, but it is the best insurance for their safety. Here are a few reasons why it is crucial to guarantee seal integrity in consumer products:

· Safeguards the Products From Contamination

Food and pharmaceutical containers must never have contaminants inside. Leakages cause contamination which renders the products unusable. Package seals create an airtight barrier that protects the contents.

· Guarantees the Customer Gets What They Bought

Customers expect product seals to be functional when they make a purchase. It is the surest guarantee that the contents therein are not tampered with at any point in the product's life cycle.

· Improves the Shelf Life of Your Product

Seals do more than protect your products from theft, tampering, and damage during shipping or storage. They keep moisture, dust, and other contaminants out, prolonging their shelf life.

· Helps in Maintaining High Hygiene Standards

Breached or damaged packages are prone to contamination, causing grave health hazards that could affect your brand reputation and cause a loss of business. Due to this, package sealing is your best line of defense.

How Does the Seal Integrity Tester Work?

Package seal integrity testing involves critical inspection and tests on different packages. The procedures are pretty simple when you follow instructions. You can remove air from the system or add pressure depending on the type of seal you are testing. Some routine testing procedures include:

· Bubble leak testing

· Dry chamber testing

· Altitude simulation testing

Bubble leak testing helps test new and old seals to ensure they work well. It is a visual test that ensures your packaging conforms to ASTM testing standards by injecting air into the product and listening to air leaks. The dry chamber test works alongside other tests for liquid-containing packages in a dry vacuum.

The altitude simulation testing method simulates pressure changes during transportation. The test involves introducing pressurized nitrogen or neon gas into a sealed container to simulate high-flying altitudes and checking for leakage. It shows the time it takes for seals to fail under normal operating conditions.

How to Choose the Correct Tester

Choosing the appropriate device can be challenging, but these four considerations will simplify it for you:

· Consider Compatibility With Your Packaging

Choose a seal integrity tester that is compatible with the products you manufacture. It should depend on whether you use porous or non-porous materials for packaging. Porous materials may limit the test methods and equipment, unlike non-porous ones. Furthermore, the cost implications for testing the former are steep in instances where you find the right equipment.

· Consider the Cost Implications

Cost is crucial when choosing the ideal test. It includes the purchasing, set up, and labor expenses. Equipment prices vary greatly depending on the automation process and the test method. For instance, automated systems are more costly to set up due to their complexity and the need for staff training. Go for the option that does not send your company into a financial crisis while guaranteeing the safety of your products.

· Consider Testers That Meet Industry Standards

Manufacturers must adhere to the ISO 11607 guidelines. It provides a list of necessary supporting documents that validate a package's design and proves it meets standard specifications globally. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) also standardize testing. Standardization allows you to follow consistent procedures used by other companies for testing to get FDA approval, which improves customer confidence in your products.

The Final Word

Seal integrity testing is paramount in today's highly industrialized world if you want your products to remain at the forefront of quality. Implementing an appropriate tester inside your production line can bring many benefits, such as improving the shelf life of your products and ensuring they adhere to the highest hygiene standards. All these benefits will always make sure customers' confidence in your brand remains high. So, if you are looking for a tester today, click here.