US EPA

3974238 

Journal Article 

Development and Validation of an Alternative Chemical Permeation Test Cell 

Mekeel, CJ; Gao, P 

2016 

Yes 

ASTM Special Technical Publication
ISSN: 0066-0558 

American Society for Testing and Materials Selected Technical Papers 

1593 

250-271 

10.1520/STP159320160016 

WOS:000385898200015 

A new chemical permeation test cell was developed. The new cell design focused on the flow path of the collection medium while incorporating important features of previous permeation test cell assemblies. Validation experiments were performed to compare the new cell with the unique test cells described in ASTM F739, Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases Through Protective Clothing Materials Under Conditions of Continuous Contact, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents. In an evaluation of the permeation resistance of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film to toluene, the new design demonstrated results equivalent to the ASTM F739 cell combined with an overall reduction in variability. Larger cumulative permeation values were observed for all permeant-material pairs tested with the new cell when compared to the NFPA 1994 specified cell type. This difference was statistically significant at the 95 % confidence level, although levels of variation in intra-replicate and pooled data sets were found to be within accepted limits. The new cell was found to be a viable alternative for both cell types to which it was compared. The new design represents an evolution in permeation cell design not only by combining the functionality found in multiple cell types but also through the improved quality of chemical permeation test results. 

chemical protective equipment; permeation; permeation cell; validation; permeation rate