Medical Laboratory Testing: Blocking
Blocking testing measures how well films, sheets, and flexible materials resist sticking together when stacked or folded under pressure, heat, or humidity. The test applies controlled load and temperature to layered specimens and determines the force needed to separate them or rates the degree of adhesion. For medical manufacturers, low blocking is essential for sterile packaging, drape films, gowns, and flexible barriers so they can be opened easily without tearing or compromising sterility during procedures.
In healthcare settings, materials that block can cause frustration for clinicians, delay procedures, or even damage sterile barriers when layers stick and must be forced apart. Applus+ Reliable Analysis already holds accreditation for blocking and related film performance methods, giving us a strong, proven capability to evaluate these critical properties.
These tests support important standards for sterile barrier systems and flexible medical materials. Manufacturers use blocking data to qualify films and laminates that remain easy to handle while maintaining package integrity and product performance throughout storage and use. Applus+ Reliable Analysis delivers consistent, reproducible results using equipment already operating daily under our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Common Medical Blocking Laboratory Testing Standards
ASTM D1893 / ASTM D3354 Blocking of Plastic Films
ASTM D3354 (updating the earlier D1893) determines the blocking tendency of plastic films by placing two layers of film in contact under a specified load and temperature for a set time, then measuring the force required to separate them. The test quantifies blocking load and provides a practical assessment of how easily films stick together. Medical manufacturers use this method to evaluate sterile packaging films, drape materials, and flexible barriers to ensure they do not block excessively during storage or after sterilization, allowing easy opening and maintaining sterility.
ISO 11502 Plastics Determination of Blocking Resistance
ISO 11502 specifies a method for determining the blocking resistance of plastic films and sheeting by applying pressure and temperature to stacked specimens and measuring the separation force or visual blocking after conditioning. The standard provides consistent conditions for comparing different film formulations. It is particularly relevant for medical packaging films, sterile pouches, and flexible drapes where low blocking is necessary for ease of use and to prevent damage when separating layers in clinical settings.
AAMI PB70 / ASTM F2407 Blocking Resistance for Surgical Gown and Drape Materials
AAMI PB70, supported by ASTM F2407, includes blocking resistance as part of the overall performance requirements for surgical gowns and drapes. The standards evaluate how well folded or stacked materials resist sticking after exposure to pressure, humidity, or sterilization conditions. This helps ensure gowns and drapes can be unfolded easily during procedures without tearing or compromising their barrier properties, contributing to both usability and infection control.
ASTM D1894 Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D1894 measures static and kinetic coefficients of friction of plastic films and sheeting, which is frequently correlated with blocking tendency. The test slides one film surface over another under controlled conditions. Low friction values often indicate good anti-blocking performance. Medical manufacturers apply it to packaging films, sterile barriers, and flexible drapes to ensure materials slide easily without sticking, supporting efficient manufacturing and clinical use.
Your Partner for Expert Medical Blocking Laboratory Testing
Applus+ Reliable Analysis stands ready to support your medical film and flexible material blocking resistance testing needs. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory already maintains the necessary conditioning chambers and separation force measurement capabilities, allowing us to efficiently add these medical standards with only minor validation and training.
Whether you are developing new sterile packaging, validating drape films, or qualifying flexible barrier materials, our team provides accurate and reliable data backed by decades of materials testing expertise. We invite you to Contact us to discuss how our expanded medical testing capabilities can support your next project or regulatory submission.
Additional Applus+ Reliable Analysis’ Commercial Medical Testing Capabilities
Whether it be material EMC, environmental, fabrication, or durability testing, Applus+ Reliable Analysis has a full lab of test equipment, which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development rather than testing.
Below is a list of common medical testing types that Reliable Analysis offers. Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact us, and we will determine the best course of action.
