ISO 9073-3-2023 (2025) PDF

Full title and description

Nonwovens — Test methods — Part 3: Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break using the strip method (ISO 9073-3:2023; corrected version published May 2025). This international standard specifies a strip-method tensile test for nonwoven fabrics, giving procedures and reporting requirements for determination of breaking force and elongation in conditioned or wet states.

Abstract

This document defines a reproducible test method to measure breaking force (tensile strength) and elongation at break of nonwoven materials using a strip-test configuration. Two specimen-width options are given (Option A: 25 mm; Option B: 50 mm). The method is expressed for constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) tensile testers and notes the use, by agreement, of constant-rate-of-loading (CRL) instruments. Results are used for quality control, specification and comparative evaluation of nonwoven materials.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard)
• Publication date: June 2023 (corrected versions: May 2025)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 59.080.30 (Textile fabrics; nonwovens)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2023); corrected text issued in 2025
• Number of pages: 14 (ISO publication)

Scope

Specifies a laboratory test method for determining the breaking force and elongation at break of nonwoven fabrics using a strip tensile test. The procedure covers specimen preparation (including conditioned and wet states), two specimen-width options (25 mm and 50 mm), required test equipment (CRE tensile testers primarily), test execution, calculation and expression of results, and reporting. It replaces the earlier edition of ISO 9073-3 and is intended for use in production control, laboratory comparison and material specification.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the strip test geometry and two specimen-width options (Option A: 25 mm; Option B: 50 mm).
• Specimen conditioning requirements (ambient conditioning and procedures for wet-state testing).
• Use of constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) tensile testing equipment; acknowledgement of CRL instruments for agreement cases.
• Procedure for mounting specimens, test speed control, and test execution to obtain breaking force and elongation at break.
• Calculation methods and required units for reporting tensile strength and percent elongation.
• Requirements for repeat testing, number of specimens, and presentation of statistical/measurement data for quality control.
• Notes on instrument calibration, measurement uncertainty considerations and relevant normative references.

Typical use and users

Used by material manufacturers, product development and quality-control laboratories, third‑party testing services, converters and specification writers who need reproducible tensile and elongation data for nonwoven fabrics. Typical applications include performance verification for hygiene products, medical nonwovens, filtration media, geotextiles, and other industrial or consumer nonwoven goods where tensile properties are important.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 9073 series (test methods for nonwovens). Other related parts include (but are not limited to) ISO 9073-1 (mass per unit area), ISO 9073-2 (thickness), ISO 9073-4 (tear resistance), ISO 9073-6 (absorption), ISO 9073-13 (repeated liquid strike-through time) and further parts addressing bending, strike-through, lint generation and other nonwoven properties. Cross-referenced test methods (for equipment or complementary procedures) such as ISO 2062 are also referenced in the standard.

Keywords

nonwovens; tensile strength; elongation at break; strip method; CRE tensile tester; test method; material specification; quality control

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 9073-3:2023 is an international test method that specifies how to determine tensile strength and elongation at break of nonwoven fabrics using the strip tensile method. A corrected text for English and French was issued in May 2025.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation (conditioned and wet states), two specimen-width options (25 mm and 50 mm), test equipment preference (constant-rate-of-extension machines), test execution, calculation of breaking force and percent elongation, required reporting and considerations for repeatability and instrument calibration.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Nonwoven manufacturers, product developers, QC/test laboratories, standards committees, and purchasers or specifiers requiring comparable tensile property data for nonwoven materials and products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2023 edition (Edition 2) is the current ISO edition; a corrected text for the published standard was issued in May 2025. This edition replaces the earlier (1989) edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 3 of the ISO 9073 series of test methods for nonwovens, which includes multiple parts addressing mass, thickness, tear, absorption and other performance characteristics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Nonwovens, tensile strength, elongation, strip method, CRE tester, test method, quality control.