Year
1994
Abstract
The Shrink-Wrap Seal is a volumetric tag/seal developed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) for use in arms control verification. Shrink-wrap seals consist of overlapping layers of polymeric film with pseudo-random patterns printed on one surface that are heat-shrunk around an item, creating a secure seal with a uniquely identifying random pattern that is recorded with a Polaroid camera. BDM Federal performed operational and environmental testing on two types of shrinkwrap seals composed of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), respectively. The operational testing determined for each seal type the adequacy of seal application procedures for operational conditions and environments, the repeatability and uniqueness of seal signatures, and the effects of operator differences on seal installation. This paper will discuss test methods, results, and the implications of the test results for future development and uses of shrink-wrap seals.