Overview
EN ISO 9073-17:2008 - Textiles: Test methods for nonwovens - Part 17: Determination of water penetration (spray impact) (ISO 9073-17:2008) specifies a standardized laboratory method for measuring a fabric’s resistance to water penetration by impact (spray). The test evaluates the degree of water resistance or repellency of nonwoven and similar fabrics by quantifying the amount of water passing through a material under defined spray-impact conditions. Results help predict rain‑penetration resistance and assess the effectiveness of water‑repellent treatments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: A pre‑weighed absorbent blotting paper is placed under the test specimen; a controlled volume of water is sprayed onto the specimen and the blotter is re‑weighed. The mass increase indicates water penetration.
- Specimen and blotter sizes: Typical specimen size is 175 mm × 325 mm (long dimension in machine direction); blotting paper 150 mm × 225 mm.
- Blotting paper requirements: Tight control over absorbency and physical properties (fast absorbent rate ≤ 5 s, minimum absorbent capacity ~480%, uniform formation, traceable lot, specified sheet density, basis weight and thickness).
- Test conditions and apparatus:
- Impact penetration (spray) tester with spray head, funnel, baffle and drip catcher.
- 500 ml distilled or deionized water at (27 ± 1) °C is used per test.
- Modified clamp mass of 454 g to tension specimen.
- Weigh blotting paper to ±0.01 g accuracy.
- Insert drip catcher and weigh the blotter 2 s after continuous flow stops.
- Results and reporting:
- Calculate the increase in blotter mass (g). Report individual values, average and standard deviation.
- Test report must reference ISO 9073-17 and note material type, number of specimens, testing conditions and any deviations.
- Reproducibility note: Annex A highlights that blotting paper quality critically affects interlaboratory reproducibility.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: textile and nonwoven manufacturers, quality control and test laboratories, R&D teams, third‑party certification bodies.
- Practical applications:
- Evaluation of water‑repellent finishes and coatings.
- Performance screening for rainwear, outdoor textiles, workwear, technical nonwovens and some protective garments.
- Comparative quality control of product lots and verification of treatment processes.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 9073-17:2008, water penetration test, spray impact, nonwovens test method, textile water repellency, impact penetration tester, blotting paper requirements, rain‑penetration resistance.
