ISO/TC 38/WG 9 - Nonwovens

This document specifies the performance requirements and test methods for filtration property and safety of materials for nonwoven general use face coverings for single use. This document specifies the following filtration properties: sub-micron filtration efficiency (PFE), water aerosol filtration efficiency with bacteria (BFE), water aerosol filtration efficiency with viruses (VFE), pollen particle filtration efficiency, and differential pressure. This document specifies the following safety items: free formaldehyde, specific azo dye, heavy metals, and pH. This document applies to nonwoven general use face coverings. It does not apply to medical face masks (see EN 14683 [5]), medical devices, or personal protective equipment (PPE) in the scope of ISO/TC94/SC15, Respiratory protective devices (RPD).

This document specifies a method to test filtration performance of particulate matter of nonwovens. This document is applicable to nonwovens for air filtration.

This document defines the term nonwovens and provides auxiliary terminology to distinguish nonwovens from other materials.

This document specifies test methods to measure the amount of test liquid (simulated urine) which runs down a nonwoven test specimen when a specified mass of test liquid is poured on the nonwoven test specimen superimposed on a standard absorbent medium and placed on an inclined plane. This document is designed to compare run-off of nonwovens. It is not intended to simulate in use conditions for finished products. The three methods are: Option A - basic method for testing hydrophilic nonwovens, see Annex A. Option B - repeated test, with the same test parameters as the basic method with additional information in Option A, see Annex B. Option C - modified method for testing hydrophobic nonwovens specifying another degree of incline, see Annex C. The test method is designed to measure the repellency of hydrophobic nonwovens. At the standard inclination angle, Option A isn’t able to distinguish between different levels of hydrophobicity. By decreasing the inclination of the table, one can assess the difference in repellence of hydrophobic nonwovens. For R&D purposes, other characteristics can be measured according to Annex D.

This document specifies a method for measuring the time of liquid (simulated urine) strike-through for nonwoven coverstocks. The method is suitable for making comparisons between different nonwoven coverstocks. It does not simulate in-use conditions for finished products.

This document specifies a method for determining the resistance to mechanical penetration of nonwoven fabrics by a ball of a given diameter. The method is primarily designed to be used on nonwovens with some degree of elasticity, for which a regular burst test does not apply.

This document specifies methods for the evaluation of some aspects of the behaviour of nonwoven fabrics in the presence of liquids. In particular: — the liquid absorbency time; — the liquid absorptive capacity; — the liquid wicking rate (capillarity). The different aspects of absorbency can relate to various end uses of the tested products. The tests do not apply to any fabric containing super absorbent materials.

This document specifies a method for determining the bending length of a nonwoven. A formula is given for calculating the flexural rigidity of the nonwoven material from the bending length. The method is not applicable to combination-type materials (composites or laminates) in which there can be a natural twist. NOTE This document describes a test method specific to nonwovens.

This document specifies a method for the determination of tear resistance of nonwovens by the trapezoid method. This document applies to nonwovens.

This document establishes a definition for the term nonwovens and provides auxiliary terminology to distinguish nonwovens from other materials.