Non- woven Fabric Permeability Testing: Key Standards NWSP 070 & ISO 9073

September 20 , 2026

Non- woven Fabric Permeability Testing:

Key Standards NWSP 070 & ISO 9073

Permeability Test and Its Importance

The Permeability test covers liquid strike‑through and air permeability test. These tests ensure the quality of nonwoven materials used in hygiene products, filter media, protective textiles and industrial fabrics against liquid penetration and air flow performance.

For example, if you want to know how fast your diaper coverstock allows simulated urine to pass through without heavy wet‑back against skin, or how much air can flow through mask nonwovens under daily usage? Then you must go with permeability testing.

Non- woven Fabric Permeability Testing: Key Standards NWSP 070 & ISO 9073

Is it essential to do Standardized Testing for Permeability?

Do you know the concept of standardized testing? This term indicates that the result of the test will be consistent for a sample, whether you check in different laboratories.

To perform standardized permeability testing, we have two sets of international standards, NWSP 070 series and ISO 9073 series, which deliver result consistency across different labs.

Both standards are internationally recognized and provide comprehensive details regarding test data, including specimen dimension, liquid flow rate, applied pressure difference, electrode configuration, absorbent substrate requirements and testing environment.

ISO 9073: ISO 9073‑13 & ISO 9073‑14 & ISO 9073‑15

ISO 9073: ISO 9073‑13 & ISO 9073‑14 & ISO 9073‑15

ISO 9073‑13 specifically defines repeated liquid strike‑through time test method; ISO 9073‑14 specifies wet‑back measurement. That is why they are widely selected for quality validation of diaper and sanitary product raw materials.

The GT‑CN04 Liquid Strike‑Through Tester determines liquid penetration and wet‑back performance under ISO 9073‑13 and ISO 9073‑14. The nonwoven specimen of 100 × 100 mm dimension is placed above standard absorbent pad, and weighted penetration disc (500 g±5 g) is placed on top of specimen.

ISO 9073‑15 is the international standard for air permeability testing of nonwovens, coated and laminated non‑woven materialsISO.

ISO 9073‑15 focuses on measuring air flow rate through nonwoven specimen under controlled pressure difference. During test procedure, stable pressure difference and accurate nozzle selection are critical to get reliable air‑permeability data.

That is why this air‑permeability test mainly runs on GT‑C27 Automatic Air Permeability Tester, which features automatic nozzle detection and pneumatic‑driven test arm for specimen clamping.

NWSP 070: NWSP 070.7.R2 (20) , NWSP 070.8.R1 (19) , NWSP 070.1.R0 (20)

NWSP 070: NWSP 070.7.R2 (20) , NWSP 070.8.R1 (19) , NWSP 070.1.R0 (20)

NWSP 070 series standards are widely adopted within nonwoven industrial community

GESTER’s GT‑CN04 Liquid Strike‑Through Tester adopt color touch‑screen man‑machine dialogue, built‑in thermal printer for on‑site result printout. The tester meets NWSP requirements and delivers accurate strike‑through and wet‑back index.

NWSP 070.7.R2(20) target repeated liquid strike‑through time; NWSP 070.8.R1(19) evaluate wet‑back performance. NWSP 070.1.R0(20) define nonwoven air‑permeability test.

GT‑C27 Air Permeability Tester complies with ISO 9073‑15 and corresponding NWSP 070.1.R0(20) nonwoven air‑permeability standard.

Comparison Between NWSP 070 Series and ISO 9073 Series

Similarities in Permeability Testing Principles

Both NWSP 070 standards and ISO 9073 standards evaluate nonwoven material permeability performance under well‑defined test configuration. Liquid strike‑through standards use simulated‑urine liquid under specified flow rate and penetration disc load. Air‑permeability standards measure air flow under regulated pressure difference.

Both NWSP and ISO standards define specimen dimension, pre‑test conditioning requirement, substrate or fixture requirement, to make sure test is executed uniformly across labs. NWSP 070.7.R2 (20) corresponds with ISO 9073‑13 for repeated liquid strike‑through test; NWSP 070.8.R1 (19) matches ISO 9073‑14 for wet‑back assessment; NWSP 070.1.R0 (20) aligns with ISO 9073‑15 for nonwoven air‑permeability testISO.

Major Differences in Specimen Preparation, Evaluation, and Data Output

ISO 9073 series is published by International Organization for Standardization, widely accepted across global regions. NWSP 070 series is released jointly by INDA and EDANA nonwoven associations and is popular within hygiene and nonwoven industrial community.

Specimen quantity for testing follows respective standard clauses. ISO standards provide full international normative text; NWSP documents deliver practical‑oriented test procedures for nonwoven industry users.

For liquid strike‑through test, both standards output time‑based numerical readings for each repeated liquid dose. For wet‑back assessment, they measure liquid mass re‑transferred backward. For air‑permeability test, both standards calculate air flow rate under given pressure difference.

GT‑CN04 Liquid Strike‑Through Tester can configure penetration cycles, interval time and liquid parameters according to either ISO or NWSP clause. GT‑C27 Automatic Air Permeability Tester supports switching test area, pressure difference and nozzle to meet requirement of ISO 9073‑15 and NWSP 070.1.R0(20). Both instruments have digital touch‑screen interface allowing operators adjust parameter settings according to target standard clauses.

Conclusion

NWSP 070 series standards are widely adopted within nonwoven industrial community; ISO 9073 series are formal international standards for nonwoven permeability testing.

The Permeability test includes liquid strike‑through (wettability) test and air permeability test. These tests ensure quality of hygiene nonwovens, filter media and industrial non‑woven fabrics regarding liquid handling and breathability performance.

In liquid strike‑through test, nonwoven specimen is mounted in liquid strike‑through tester GT‑CN04; simulated‑urine liquid flows at regulated flow rate, instrument records repeated strike‑through time and wet‑‑back index. In air‑permeability test, specimen is clamped in GT‑C27 tester, air passes perpendicularly through sample under defined pressure difference to calculate air‑permeability value.

For more information on permeability testing standards or nonwoven‑testing equipment requirements, please contact us anytime!

- Email : marketing@gester-instruments.com

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