Overview
ISO 2965:2019 specifies a laboratory method for the determination of air permeability (AP) of materials used as cigarette papers, filter plug wrap and filter joining paper. The method covers papers with uniformly distributed permeability, papers having oriented or discrete permeable zones, and banded papers (bands ≥ 4 mm). Air permeability is reported as cm3·(min−1·cm−2) at a measuring pressure of 1.00 kPa. A secondary measurement at 0.25 kPa is recommended where the flow/pressure relationship is nonlinear.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Materials for cigarette construction where measured permeability exceeds 10 cm3·(min−1·cm−2) at 1 kPa; banded papers with minimum band widths of 4 mm; guidance for materials outside strict scope provided in the standard.
- Principle: Clamp a test piece in a leak-free holder, apply a pressure difference, and measure resultant air flow through the sample in the direction it would be used in the finished product.
- Test piece holders:
- Standard holder: 2.00 cm2 test surface (long side L = 2.000 cm ± 0.005 cm), corner radii ≤ 0.1 cm.
- Small-area holder: 0.30 cm2 test surface (short side = 2.00 mm ± 0.05 mm) for bands or small uniformly permeable areas.
- Apparatus and accuracy:
- Pneumatic controller to set measuring pressure.
- Pressure gauge with resolution to at least 0.001 kPa and relative error ≤ 2%.
- Flow meter with relative error ≤ 5%.
- Conditioning enclosure in accordance with ISO 187 / ISO 3402.
- Quality controls: Leak testing of the holder, calibration of standards and instruments (annexes A and B), sampling guidance, and procedures for different paper types (uniform, oriented zone, discrete zones, bands).
- Results and precision: Procedures for expression of results, and precision data including repeatability and reproducibility from interlaboratory studies.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: Paper manufacturers, tobacco product manufacturers, independent test laboratories, quality assurance teams, regulatory bodies and R&D groups working on cigarette design and filter materials.
- Practical uses:
- Quality control of cigarette paper and filter wrap permeability.
- Characterizing banded papers and perforated/oriented zones used to control smoke dilution and draw.
- Validating material specifications and supporting product development or regulatory compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 187 - Conditioning and testing atmosphere for paper, board and pulps.
- ISO 3402 - Atmosphere for conditioning and testing tobacco products.
Keywords: ISO 2965:2019, air permeability, cigarette paper testing, filter plug wrap, banded papers, AP measurement, tobacco industry standards.
