Smithers provides closure and seal testing for consumer product packaging, helping manufacturers, packaging suppliers and brand owners assess whether closures, seals and package systems maintain their integrity, retain contents and function as intended throughout storage and use.
Our testing can help identify closure, seal and leakage issues, investigate package integrity failures and provide evidence to support packaging development, supplier qualification, quality assurance and product validation across a range of consumer packaging applications.
Closure functionality and mechanical performance
Assess the application, opening, retention and mechanical performance of closures across a range of packaging formats. Testing can include torque retention for continuous thread closures, functionality of threaded closures and containers, snap-on closure application force, flip-top opening force, hinge durability and separation force of snapped-on components.
These evaluations can help establish whether closures function consistently and provide the required mechanical performance for the packaging system.
Leakage and package integrity
Assess whether closures and package systems maintain their integrity and resist leakage under the intended conditions. Testing can evaluate leakage and seepage from container closures, including powder-containing packages and packages fitted with mechanical pump dispensers, as well as water ingression through pump dispensers.
Where leakage or seepage is identified, testing can also support the investigation of potential causes and contributing factors affecting package integrity.
Seal strength and integrity
Assess whether seals provide the required strength and maintain package integrity throughout their intended use. Smithers can evaluate seal strength for flexible packages and heat-sealed wrappers, seal integrity of non-porous packages and seal integrity using dye penetration methods to identify channels, defects or other weaknesses.
Relevant methods include ASTM D2063M-10, ASTM D6834, ASTM F88, BS EN 868-5, ASTM F3039 and ASTM F1929.
This technical expertise can support packaging development, component comparison, quality assurance and failure investigation, providing the evidence needed to make informed decisions about closure, seal and package performance.
Our testing can help identify closure, seal and leakage issues, investigate package integrity failures and provide evidence to support packaging development, supplier qualification, quality assurance and product validation across a range of consumer packaging applications.
Closure and seal performance we assess
Closures and seals are critical to maintaining package integrity and protecting contents throughout the intended life of a package. Smithers can assess key aspects of closure and seal performance, including:- Closure application, opening and retention force
- Torque performance and closure functionality
- Leakage and seepage from closures and package systems
- Seal strength and integrity
- Performance and durability of snap-on, flip-top and disc-top closures
- Package integrity and resistance to leakage or water ingression
Closure and seal testing capabilities
Smithers offers a range of standardised and customised testing approaches to assess closure functionality, package integrity and seal performance.Closure functionality and mechanical performance
Assess the application, opening, retention and mechanical performance of closures across a range of packaging formats. Testing can include torque retention for continuous thread closures, functionality of threaded closures and containers, snap-on closure application force, flip-top opening force, hinge durability and separation force of snapped-on components.
These evaluations can help establish whether closures function consistently and provide the required mechanical performance for the packaging system.
Leakage and package integrity
Assess whether closures and package systems maintain their integrity and resist leakage under the intended conditions. Testing can evaluate leakage and seepage from container closures, including powder-containing packages and packages fitted with mechanical pump dispensers, as well as water ingression through pump dispensers.
Where leakage or seepage is identified, testing can also support the investigation of potential causes and contributing factors affecting package integrity.
Seal strength and integrity
Assess whether seals provide the required strength and maintain package integrity throughout their intended use. Smithers can evaluate seal strength for flexible packages and heat-sealed wrappers, seal integrity of non-porous packages and seal integrity using dye penetration methods to identify channels, defects or other weaknesses.
Standards and testing methods
Smithers performs closure and seal testing using recognised ASTM and BS EN methods, alongside customised testing where standard methods do not fully address the packaging format or performance requirement.Relevant methods include ASTM D2063M-10, ASTM D6834, ASTM F88, BS EN 868-5, ASTM F3039 and ASTM F1929.
Expert support for closure and seal performance
Selecting the right testing approach can depend on the packaging format, closure or seal construction and the performance characteristic being assessed. Smithers works with clients to identify appropriate methods, investigate closure, seal and package integrity issues, and interpret results in the context of the packaging system.This technical expertise can support packaging development, component comparison, quality assurance and failure investigation, providing the evidence needed to make informed decisions about closure, seal and package performance.
Looking for more specific closure application and mechanical performance testing?
If you are looking for more detailed assessment of individual closure applications and mechanical performance, explore our Closure Testing service. This covers closure torque, application and removal characteristics, closure security and specialist applications such as sports closures and precision components.