Overview
ISO 9073-1:2023 - Nonwovens - Test methods - Part 1: Determination of mass per unit area specifies a standardized laboratory method to measure the mass per unit area of nonwoven fabrics. The procedure requires cutting a precisely measured area from the material, conditioning the specimen under standard atmosphere, weighing with a high-accuracy balance and calculating the mass per unit area (reported in g/m²). This second edition updates the original 1989 version and aligns sampling, conditioning and reporting practices for consistent quality control and specification across the nonwovens industry.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Method for determination of mass per unit area of nonwoven fabrics.
- Sampling: Follow ISO 186; use agreed sampling plans (ISO 2859-1 or ISO 3951-1 can be referenced). Select specimen areas free of defects, folds or creases.
- Specimen size: From each sample cut at least three test specimens of area ≥ 50 000 mm² (e.g., 250 mm × 200 mm). If material is limited, cut the largest rectangle possible and note this in results.
- Apparatus: Use a die, template + razor blade, or steel rule + razor blade for cutting. Use a balance accurate to ±0.1% of the measured mass.
- Conditioning: Equilibrate specimens to the standard testing atmosphere per ISO 139; equilibrium is reached when successive weighings (intervals ≥ 2 h) change by ≤ 0.25%.
- Procedure & calculation: Weigh specimen, measure area, and compute mass per unit area (convert area units as required). Report mean value (to three significant figures) and, if requested, the coefficient of variation (to 0.1%).
- Reporting: Include reference to ISO 9073-1:2023, identification of material, sampling method, test conditions, number/size of specimens, mean mass per unit area, COV if required, date, laboratory and tester identity.
- Precision: No precision data available at time of publication.
- Safety: Users must establish appropriate safety and health practices; the standard does not address all safety concerns.
Applications and users
ISO 9073-1:2023 is used for:
- Quality control in nonwoven manufacturing (fabric basis weight verification).
- Product specification and procurement, ensuring supplier/product compliance with agreed mass-per-area values.
- R&D and material comparison, enabling objective comparison of different nonwoven constructions.
- Regulatory and certification testing where basis weight is a defined characteristic.
Typical users: textile and nonwovens laboratories, QA/QC personnel, product engineers, suppliers, purchasers and standards bodies.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 9073-1:2023, nonwovens test methods, mass per unit area, nonwoven fabrics, basis weight, g/m², sampling, conditioning, balance accuracy.
