Overview
ISO 9073-16:2007 - Textiles - Test methods for nonwovens - Part 16: Determination of resistance to penetration by water (hydrostatic pressure) defines a standardized hydrostatic pressure test for measuring the water resistance of nonwoven fabrics. The method determines the hydrostatic head at which water first penetrates the fabric and is intended for any nonwoven used as a barrier to fluid penetration.
Keywords: ISO 9073-16:2007, hydrostatic pressure test, nonwovens, water penetration, hydrostatic head, textiles test methods, water resistance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to nonwoven fabrics intended as fluid barriers.
- Principle: A specimen is clamped over a test-head reservoir; water pressure is increased at a controlled rate until leakage appears. The test end-point is the formation of drops in three separate penetrating holes.
- Apparatus essentials:
- Hydrostatic testing apparatus with leveling and leak-tight clamping.
- Water temperature control at (23 ± 2) °C (alternative temperatures allowed if agreed).
- Pressure increase rates of (10 ± 0.5) cm H2O/min or (60 ± 3) cm H2O/min.
- Standard test-head circular area (100 ± 1) cm² (other sizes allowed by agreement).
- Optional nylon net support for low-strength nonwovens (use must be agreed and reported).
- Calibration and metrology: Follow ISO 10012:2003 and manufacturer instructions; verify pressure and flow rates for the expected pressure range.
- Procedure basics:
- Sample preparation per ISO 3951-5; conditioning per ISO 139.
- Test fresh grade 3 water per ISO 3696.
- Record pressure at first penetration for each specimen; recommended to test at least five specimens.
- Reporting & calculations:
- Report individual results in cm H2O or hPa, average, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (precision reporting per Table 1 in the standard).
- Include test conditions, side tested (face/anvil), pressure application direction (below/above), temperature, rate, sample count, and any deviations.
Applications and users
- Practical uses:
- Evaluating barrier performance of medical nonwovens (e.g., surgical drapes, gowns), protective clothing, filtration liners, wipes and geotextiles where liquid penetration is a concern.
- Quality control, incoming inspection and comparative product development.
- Typical users:
- Textile testing laboratories, product engineers, quality managers, nonwoven manufacturers, regulatory & procurement teams specifying barrier performance.
Related standards
- Other parts of ISO 9073 (e.g., thickness, tensile, air permeability, spray impact: Parts 1–18).
- Normative references within the method: ISO 139 (conditioning), ISO 3696 (water quality), ISO 3951-5 (sampling), ISO 10012 (measurement management).
This standard provides a repeatable, internationally recognized test for hydrostatic resistance of nonwovens, enabling consistent specification, comparison and quality assurance of barrier fabrics.
Open preview (PDF)Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens — Part 16: Determination of resistance to penetration by water (hydrostatic pressure)
