Term: permeation tube
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04506

Definition:
A device used for dynamic preparation of test gas mixtures by means of controlled permeation of a gaseous analyte out of a container through polymer material into a carrier gas stream. These devices containing certain condensable gases (e.g. NO2 , SO2 , etc.) when operated at closely controlled temperatures can be used as primary standards calibrated in terms of the weight loss per unit time.

Related Terms:
1) carrier gas (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00863).
2) weight (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.W06668).

Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2205 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)

Citation: 'permeation tube' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04506

License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.

Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.