Significance and Use 5.1 The Oxygen Transmission Rate is an important determinant of packaging functionality afforded by packaging materials for a wide variety of packaged products including food, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In some applications, sufficient oxygen must be allowed to permeate into the package. In others, the oxygen ingress must be minimized to maintain product quality. 5.2 Other ASTM Standard Methods to measure the oxygen transmission rate are described in Standard Test Method D3985 and Standard Test Method F2622.Scope 1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the transmission rate of oxygen gas through plastics in the form of film, sheeting, laminates, coextrusions, coated or uncoated papers or fabrics. 1.2 This test method is not the only method for measurement of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR). There are other methods of OTR determination that use other oxygen sensors and procedures. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Commonly used metric units used to report Oxygen Transmission Rate are included in Terminology, Procedure, Precision and Bias sections and in the Calculation section of the Appendix. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
