Accelerated and Real Time Aging
What is it?
Accelerated aging subjects samples to elevated temperatures for specific periods of time, is used to simulate the effects of real-time aging and provides data which allows the manufacturer to accurately predict the effect of real-time aging on his package/product.
Concurrent with the accelerated aging process, the manufacturer should also conduct real-time studies in order to substantiate the data generated during the accelerated aging process.
Why do it?
The introduction of new or modified products to the marketplace requires the assurance that they can be stored for an extended period (from one to five years) without any decrease in performance that may affect safety and efficacy when the products are used.
It is necessary to conduct accelerated aging (ASTM F 1980) tests to generate data quickly to :
- Ascertain Shelf Life
- Document Expiration Dates
- Bring product to market at the earliest possible time
Accelerated aging techniques are based on the assumptions that the chemical reactions involved in the deterioration of materials follow the Arrhenius reaction rate function. This function states that a 10 C increase or decrease in the temperature of a homogenous process, results in approximately a two times or ½ time change in the rate of a chemical reaction.
At 55 °C, 6.5 weeks is equivalent to 1 year on-the-shelf. For example, at 55 °C, two years would be equivalent to 13.0 weeks and five years would be 32.5 weeks.
Anecto Ltd. provides a range of Accelerated Aging conditions with and without humidity control in chambers which accommodate both large pallets and small packages
