Overview
EN ISO 9073-16:2008 (ISO 9073-16:2007) specifies a standardized hydrostatic pressure test for nonwoven fabrics to determine resistance to penetration by water (hydrostatic pressure). The method measures the hydrostatic head at which water first penetrates a nonwoven specimen and is intended for any nonwoven used as a fluid barrier. This EN/ISO standard is published by CEN/ISO and adopted for consistent quality assessment, product specification and comparison.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: A specimen seals a circular test-head reservoir and water pressure is increased at a constant rate until leakage (three separate drops at different locations) is observed. The pressure at first penetration is recorded.
- Apparatus essentials: levelling mechanism, leak-proof clamping, temperature control for the water contacting the specimen, and a means to control pressure increase rate. Typical test-head area is 100 ± 1 cm².
- Test conditions: standard water temperature (23 ± 2) °C (other temperatures may be agreed), and controlled pressure rise rates of (10 ± 0.5) cm H2O/min or (60 ± 3) cm H2O/min.
- Specimens & sampling: ordinarily five specimens per sample, prepared and taken in accordance with ISO 3951-5 and conditioned per ISO 139 unless otherwise agreed.
- Water quality & calibration: use grade 3 water per ISO 3696. Calibration and metrological confirmation follow ISO 10012 and manufacturer instructions, including verification across the anticipated pressure range.
- Reporting & results: report individual specimen results (cm or mbar), average, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Reporting precision guidance: up to 100 hPa - 0.5 hPa (0.5 cm H2O); over 100 hPa - 1.0 hPa (1.0 cm H2O). Include test method reference, material designation, pressure application side, water temperature, and pressure rise rate.
Applications and users
- Quality control and specification testing for nonwovens used in:
- Medical and hygiene products (barrier layers)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Filtration media and geotextiles
- Automotive and building materials where fluid resistance is critical
- Typical users: textile test laboratories, manufacturers, R&D teams, compliance officers and procurement specialists who need reproducible hydrostatic water penetration data for product development, acceptance testing and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- ISO 3951-5 - Sampling procedures for inspection by variables
- ISO 10012 - Measurement management systems
- Other parts of ISO 9073 (e.g., Parts 1–18) cover complementary nonwoven test methods
Keywords: EN ISO 9073-16:2008, ISO 9073-16:2007, hydrostatic pressure test, nonwovens, water penetration resistance, test methods for nonwovens, hydrostatic head.
