Seal Quality Inspection with Airborne Ultrasound Technology
Airborne ultrasound is a referenced technology in the new USP <1207> Chapter Guidance as a deterministic test method for seal quality testing, is an ASTM Test Method F3004 and FDA Recognized Standard for seal quality integrity testing.
A pouch seal is a structural element that joins flat film material, and a component designed to close a pouch airtight. Traditional test methods e.g. peel strength or burst, can measure the joint strength of the seal, using destructive methods. However, this type of testing is often unreliable. A strong seal is not necessarily an airtight one, and the flow of gas or liquid through the seal (leak) is just one type of seal defect. As such, there is a fundamental challenge to any leak testing method, whether it is a fish tank-bubble, vacuum differential, or manual visual method, none of these methods detect non-leaking seal defects.