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Source: Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd

There are two main categories of infusion bags: PVC and Non-PVC. Today most of the non-PVC infusion bags are made of multi-layer copolymerized compound membrane, which contains PP, PE, PA and SEBS, etc. Non-PVC is the safest material of infusion bag by now. It is free of plasticizer, which doesn’t adsorb or react with the liquid medicine. Non-PVC infusion bag is featured with high barrier properties to gas and moisture. In addition, only water and carbon dioxide will be produced by burning the discarded non-PVC infusion bags, which is environment friendly. Owing to all the advantageous features mentioned above, non-PVC infusion bag has been widely used in medical treatment.

However, such kind of infusion bags are often broken during transportation and storage. The tensile property and seal performance of the edges are the main factors that may influence the breakage ratio of the non-PVC infusion bags. Therefore, it is necessary to test the tensile strength and burst strength of the infusion bags before use.

This article provides a simplified test method of tensile strength and burst strength of the non-PVC infusion bag for your reference. The test specimens are glucose infusion bag made of non-PVC composite films. The testing instrument used for the tests are Link Testing’s LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester and LTY-03 Leak and Seal Strength Tester.

Figure 1. Non-PVC Infusion Bags

The tensile strength tests shall be performed according to the following procedures.

• Cut 5 pieces of dumbbell-shaped specimens along the machine direction of the infusion bag sample.
• Condition those specimens in an environment where the temperature is 23±2℃ and the humidity is 50 ± 5%RH for at least 4 hours. Note: The tests shall be performed in the same environment.
• Measure the thickness of the specimen at 3 points with thickness tester (testing precision is 0.001mm) and measure the specimen with at 3 points and calculate the average value.
• Mount the specimen in the upper and lower sample grips of LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester. Make sure the longitudinal axis of the specimen coincides with the line of centers of the sample grips.
• Set specimen width, test speed, initial space between sample grips and specimen thickness, etc. in the software interface.
• Click Test to start the test. The instrument will record and calculate the tensile strength automatically.
• Test all the specimens in the procedures from step 4 to step 6.
• The test specimens cut along the transverse direction of the infusion bag sample shall be tested according to the same procedures mentioned above.

The burst strength tests shall be performed according to the following procedures.

• Condition the infusion bag samples in an environment where the temperature is 23±2℃ and the humidity is 50 ± 5%RH for at least 4 hours.
• Place the sealed infusion bag on the test plate of LTY-03 Leak and Seal Strength Tester. Then insert the detection probe into the infusion bag from the central point. Make sure all the specimens are punctured by the detection probe from the same position (central point).
• Do not damage the other area of the surface of infusion bag when puncturing the detection probe.
• Click Test to start test. The infusion bag will be inflated until it fails.
• Inspect the infusion bag after test. Record the position where the body or edges of the infusion bag breaks and the pressure value when the specimen fails.

For more details about Link Testing’s LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester and LTY-03 Leak and Seal Strength Tester, please visit www.linktesting.org

About Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd:

Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd is one leading supplier of packaging testing instruments, which is headquartered in Jinan, China.