ASTM D737-18

Standard Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments since current estimates of between-laboratory precision are acceptable, and this test method is used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing.  
5.1.1 If there are differences of practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a minimum, ensure the test samples to be used are as homogeneous as possible, are drawn from the material from which the disparate test results were obtained, and are randomly assigned in equal number to each laboratory for testing. The test results from the two laboratories should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future test results for that material must be adjusted in consideration of the known bias.  
5.2 Air permeability is an important factor in the performance of such textile materials as gas filters, fabrics for air bags, clothing, mosquito netting, parachutes, sails, tentage, and vacuum cleaners. In filtration, for example, efficiency is directly related to air permeability. Air permeability also can be used to provide an indication of the breathability of weather-resistant and rainproof fabrics, or of coated fabrics in general, and to detect changes during the manufacturing process.  
5.3 Performance specifications, both industrial and military, have been prepared on the basis of air permeability and are used in the purchase of fabrics where permeability is of interest.  
5.4 Construction factors and finishing techniques can have an appreciable effect upon air permeability by causing a change in the length of airflow paths through a fabric. Hot calendaring can be used to flatten fabric components, thus reducing...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the air permeability of textile fabrics.  
1.2 This test method applies to most fabrics including woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, air bag fabrics, blankets, napped fabrics, knitted fabrics, layered fabrics, and pile fabrics. The fabrics may be untreated, heavily sized, coated, resin-treated, or otherwise treated.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units may be approximate.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2017
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.59 - Fabric Physical Test Methods A

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D737 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope D2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
3
Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the air
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test
permeability of textile fabrics.
Methods
1.2 This test method applies to most fabrics including
F778 Methods for Gas Flow Resistance Testing of Filtration
woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, air bag fabrics, blankets,
Media
napped fabrics, knitted fabrics, layered fabrics, and pile fabrics.
The fabrics may be untreated, heavily sized, coated, resin-
3. Terminology
treated, or otherwise treated.
3.1 For definition of textile terms used in this test method:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
air permeability, and fabric, refer to Terminology D4850.
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units may be
3.2 For definitions of cross-machine direction; machine
approximate.
direction and other textile terms used in this test method, refer
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to Terminology D123.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 The rate of air flow passing perpendicularly through a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
known area of fabric is adjusted to obtain a prescribed air
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
pressure differential between the two fabric surfaces. From this
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
rate of air flow, the air permeability of the fabric is determined.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Significance and Use
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for accep-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tance testing of commercial shipments since current estimates
of between-laboratory precision are acceptable, and this test
2. Referenced Documents
method is used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1.1 If there are differences of practical significance be-
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
tween reported test results for two laboratories (or more),
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
comparative tests should be performed to determine if there is
D2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical
Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data (With-
assistance. As a minimum, ensure the test samples to be used
3
drawn 2008)
are as homogeneous as possible, are drawn from the material
from which the disparate test results were obtained, and are
randomly assigned in equal number to each laboratory for
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
testing. The test results from the two laboratories should be
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Methods,
compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a
General.
probability level chosen prior to the testing series. If bias is
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published January 2018. Originally
approved in 1943 . Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D737 – 04(2016).
found, either its cause must be found and corrected, or future
DOI: 10.1520/D0737-18.
test results for that material must be adjusted in consideration
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of the known bias.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.2 Air permeability is an important factor in the perfor-
the ASTM website.
3 mance of such textile materials as gas filters, fabrics for air
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. bags, clothing, mosquito netting, parachutes, sails, tentage, and
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D737 − 1
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D737 − 04 (Reapproved 2016) D737 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the air permeability of textile fabrics.
1.2 This test method applies to most fabrics including woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, air bag fabrics, blankets, napped
fabrics, knitted fabrics, layered fabrics, and pile fabrics. The fabrics may be untreated, heavily sized, coated, resin-treated, or
otherwise treated.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in inch-pound units may be approximate.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
3
D2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data (Withdrawn 2008)
3
D2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test Methods
F778 Methods for Gas Flow Resistance Testing of Filtration Media
3. Terminology
3.1 For definition of textile terms used in this test method: air permeability, and fabric, refer to Terminology D4850.
3.2 For definitions of cross-machine direction; machine direction and other textile terms used in this test method, refer to
Terminology D123.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The rate of air flow passing perpendicularly through a known area of fabric is adjusted to obtain a prescribed air pressure
differential between the two fabric surfaces. From this rate of air flow, the air permeability of the fabric is determined.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments since current estimates of
between-laboratory precision are acceptable, and this test method is used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Methods, General.
Current edition approved July 1, 2016Jan. 1, 2018. Published July 2016January 2018. Originally approved in 1943 . Last previous edition approved in 20122016 as
D737 – 04(2012).(2016). DOI: 10.1520/D0737-04R16.10.1520/D0737-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D737 − 18
5.1.1 If there are differences of practical significance between reported test results for two laboratories (or more), comparative
tests should be performed to determine if there is a statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assistance. As a
minimum, ensure the test samples to be used are as homogeneous as possible, are drawn from the material from which the disparate
test results were obtained, and are randomly assigned in equal number to each laboratory for testing. The test results from the two
laboratories should be compared using a statistical test for unpaired data, at a probability level chosen prior to the testing serie
...