An important quality aspect of e-vaping product is the absence of liquid leakage from the cartridge. Therefore, it is highly important to verify cartridge integrity with a reliable method. Various external conditions could influence product leakage and should be considered from the design phase, to the manufacturing and use of the product.

Currently AFNOR standard (AFNOR XP D90-300-1) is best known for leakage testing of e-vaping consumables. As per this standard, absence of leakage of an e-vaping products shall be verified by placing the consumable on an absorbent paper, upside-down vertically and horizontally minimum of 6 hours per position. The verification must be conducted at a controlled temperature of 20°C ± 5°C.

The e-vaping consumable leakage testing method proposed by PMI R&D addresses product leakage robustness in a sequence of dynamic conditions: temperature, movement and pressure are considered as variables that can influence leakage.

• Temperature testing is done at 22°C and 42°C
• Shaking testing from 0 to 250 rpm and back
• Pressure from atmospheric pressure to 800 mBar absolute pressure (pressure exposure in planes).

With this method, the e-vaping cartridge weight is recorded individually and inserted into a glass tube within one single testing instrument (Buchi Syncore) with multiple glass tube holders. On a pre-defined time and sequence the above conditions are applied. Afterwards the cartridges are removed from the glass tubes, externally dried with a clean towel and re- weighed. The leakage is quantified by the difference in weight before and after.