Ampoule Breaking Force Test

 Ampoules are small, sealed vials typically made of glass, used to contain and preserve liquids, including medications and chemicals. Ensuring that these ampoules can withstand sufficient force to prevent premature breakage during handling, transportation, and storage is crucial. On the other hand, they should also be easy to open when needed. The ampoule breaking force test aims to determine the force required to break or fracture the ampoule. This ensures that the ampoule is neither too fragile nor too difficult to open.

In the pharmaceutical industry, this test is critical for ensuring product safety and usability. Ampoules that break too easily can lead to contamination or loss of product, while those that are too difficult to open may cause inconvenience or injury to users. The Ampoule 3-Point Bend Tester is specifically designed to provide accurate measurements of the breaking force needed to open an ampoule.

 What is the Standard 3-Point Bending Test?

The 3-point bending test is a method used to measure the flexural strength and modulus of a material. The test consists of placing a sample material, such as metal, plastic, or glass, on two supports while applying a concentrated load at the midpoint between these supports. The sample is subjected to flexural or bending stress, which eventually causes it to fail (break). The applied force and the corresponding deformation are recorded during the test to evaluate the material’s mechanical properties.

Ampoule Breaking Test Procedure

The procedure for the ampoule breaking force test generally follows the principles of the standard 3-point bending test but is adapted for the specific characteristics of ampoules.

• Sample Preparation: A representative number of ampoules are selected from a production batch to conduct the test. The ampoules are typically filled with liquid and sealed, as they would be in a real-world scenario.
• Positioning: The ampoule is placed horizontally on two lower supports in the testing apparatus. These supports are spaced a specified distance apart, depending on the size and shape of the ampoule.
• Loading: A vertical force is applied to the midpoint of the ampoule using a probe or loading mechanism. The force is applied gradually and uniformly to prevent any premature breakage or damage.
• Force Measurement: As the load increases, the ampoule deforms until it fractures. The amount of force required to cause the break is recorded, providing a measurement of the ampoule’s breaking strength. In some cases, the force-displacement curve is also analyzed to assess how the ampoule behaves under increasing loads.
• Analysis: The recorded data is analyzed to determine the average breaking force for the tested ampoules. This information helps manufacturers ensure that their ampoules meet specified requirements for strength and usability.