EN ISO 9073-10:2004 specifies a standardized test method for measuring lint and other particles generation in the dry state from nonwovens (and applicable to other textile materials). The method adapts a modified Gelbo Flex flexing procedure inside a controlled test chamber while sampling airborne particulates with a particle counter. Results quantify material linting and support quality control, material development and comparative performance assessment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: combined twisting and compression (modified Gelbo Flex) with air withdrawn from the chamber and particulates counted and classified.
- Apparatus:
- Modified Gelbo Flex flexing unit: two circular plates (diameter 82.8 mm) moving ± rotation and linear stroke at 60 cycles/min.
- Flexing chamber / air collector: antistatic perspex box (300 × 300 × 300 mm) with central intake probe ~40 mm diameter.
- Particle counter: 8 measurement channels, overall size range from 0.3 µm or 0.5 µm to 25 µm, sampling flow approx. 28.3 ± 1.4 l/min.
- Controlled environment: laminar flow hood or ISO Class 5 clean room (ISO 14644-1); conditioning per ISO 554.
- Specimens and preparation:
- Cut two sets of seven test pieces (220 × 285 mm); form tubes by gluing edges; five test pieces per side (A and B) are tested.
- Minimum handling; operator gloves required.
- Procedure and measurement:
- Particle counts collected in consecutive 30 s periods (10 periods per test piece) with background correction (C) obtained from empty-chamber runs.
- Linting is the background-corrected particle count per size class or total across classes.
- Results and reporting:
- Report mean linting for sides A and B (five pieces each), standard deviation, coefficient of variation; optionally calculate the coefficient of linting (log of total linting).
- Test report must identify material, particle counter type, number of pieces, and per-class linting results.
Applications and practical value
- Provides a reproducible, comparable linting test for nonwovens used in quality control, incoming inspection, R&D and benchmarking.
- Useful for manufacturers, testing laboratories and specifiers who need quantitative data on particle release for product development, customer specifications, or contamination-sensitive applications.
- Helps evaluate finishing, fiber selection and bonding processes that affect particle shedding.
Related standards
- ISO 9073 series (other test methods for nonwovens: mass, thickness, strength, tear, etc.)
- ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classification)
- ISO 554 (standard atmospheres for conditioning/testing)
Keywords: EN ISO 9073-10:2004, ISO 9073-10:2003, linting test, nonwovens, particle counter, Gelbo Flex, clean room testing, textile test methods.
