BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

29073-3:1992
ISO 9073-3:
1989
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Methods of tests for

Nonwovens —
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Part 3: Determination of tensile

strength and elongation

The European Standard EN 29073-3:1992 has the status of a

British Standard

UDC 677.076.4:677.017.42:620.172
 BS EN 29073-3:1992

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Textiles and
Clothing Standards Policy Committee (TCM/-) to Technical Committee
TCM/19, upon which the following bodies were represented:

British Clothing Industry Association

British Nonwovens Manufacturers’ Association
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British Textile Employers’ Association

British Textile Technology Group
Furniture Industry Research Association
Guild of Hospital Pharmacists
Man-made Fibres Producers’ Committee
National Fillings Trades Association
Surgical Dressings Manufacturers’ Association

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Textiles and
Clothing Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes Amendments issued since publication
into effect on
31 October 1990 Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 03-1999
7010 November Indicated by a sideline in the margin
1992
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference TCM/19
Draft for comment 87/38338 DC

ISBN 0 580 18394 7

 BS EN 29073-3:1992

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 29073-3 3
Publication(s) referred to Inside back cover
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© BSI 03-1999 i
 BS EN 29073-3:1992

National foreword

This Part of BS 7304 has been prepared under the direction of the Textiles and
Clothing Standards Policy Committee. It is identical with ISO 9073-3:1989
“Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens — Part 3: Determination of tensile
strength and elongation”. The international standard was prepared by Technical
Committee 38, Textiles, of the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) with the active participation of the UK.
In 1992 the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) accepted
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ISO 9073-3:1989 as European Standard EN 29073-3:1992. As a consequence of

implementing the European Standard this British Standard is renumbered as
BS EN 29073-3 and any reference to BS 7304-3 should be read as a reference to
BS EN 29073-3.
In the cross-references, delete “BS 1051:1981 Glossary of terms relating to the
conditioning, testing and mass determination of textiles (Technically equivalent)”
and substitute the following.
BS EN 20139:1992, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and
testing (Identical).

Cross-references
International standard Corresponding British Standard

ISO 139:1973 BS 1051:1981 Glossary of terms relating to the

conditioning, testing and mass determination of
textiles (Technically equivalent)
ISO 186:1985 BS 3430:1986 Method for sampling to determine the
average quality of paper and board
(Identical)

The Technical Committee has reviewed the provisions of ISO 5081:1977, to which
reference is made in the text, and has decided that they are acceptable for use in
conjunction with this standard.
Attention is drawn to the following British Standard which is related to ISO 5081,
and gives methods of test for woven fabrics which are also applicable to certain
nonwovens.
BS 2576:1986, Method for determination of breaking strength and elongation
(strip method) of woven fabrics.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 03-1999
 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 29073-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 1992
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

UDC 677.076.4:677.017.42:620.172

Descriptors: Textiles, fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, tests, tension tests, tensile strength, elongation at break

English version
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Textiles — Test methods for nonwovens —

Part 3: Determination of tensile strength and elongation

Textile — Méthodes d’essai pour nontissés Textilien — Prüfverfahren von Vliesstoffe —

Partie 3: Détermination de la résistance à la Teil 3: Bestimmung der Höchstzugkraft und der
traction et de l’allongement Hochstzugkraftdehnung

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1992-06-26. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1992 Copyright reserved to CEN members

Ref. No. EN 29073-3:1992 E
 EN 29073-3:1992

Foreword Contents
Page
The European Standard has been taken over by
CEN/TC 248 “Textiles and textile products” from Foreword 2
the work of ISO/TC 38 “Textiles” of the Introduction 3
International Organization for Standardization 1 Scope 3
(ISO).
2 Normative references 3
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The document was submitted to the CEN members

to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and was 3 Principle 3
approved without any modification. 4 Apparatus 3
National standards identical to this European 5 Sampling 3
Standard shall be published at the latest 6 Preparation and conditioning of
by 1992-12-31 and conflicting national standards test pieces 3
shall be withdrawn at the latest by 1992-12-31. 7 Procedure 3
Following the CEN/CENELEC Common Rules the 8 Expression of results 4
following countries are bound to implement this
European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, 9 Test report 4
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 03-1999
 ISO 9073-3:1989 (E)

Introduction 4.2 Clamps, with jaws capable of holding the test

pieces securely across their full width without
Although nonwovens are classified within the
damage.
textile industry, it should be recognized that
nonwovens technologically share characteristics not 5 Sampling
only with textile products but also with paper
and/or plastic products. There is an existing Carry out sampling in accordance with ISO 186,
international textile test, ISO 5081. However, in where possible taking test specimens of an
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order to meet the specific needs of nonwovens, approximate length at 1 m from the full width of the
alternative requirements to those listed in ISO 5081 material. Ensure that the areas from which the
are specified in this part of ISO 9073. These are specimens are taken have no visible flaws and are
a) a different sampling procedure; not creased.
NOTE This method of sampling recognizes and makes
b) a constant rate of extension, i.e. 100 mm/min. provisions for “anisotropy” (differences in properties along
various directions, principally machine and cross direction) in the
1 Scope final specimens. However, these specimens are random
representatives of the material and in some cases it may be
This part of ISO 9073 specifies a method for the desirable to investigate systematic variations of properties
determination of the tensile properties of (including anisotropy), for example across the width, or in certain
positions along the length of a given reel. In all such cases, special
nonwovens by the cut strip method. provisions should be agreed between purchaser and vendor and
NOTE Anomalies can occur when testing some spun-laid and recorded in the test report. A procedure for more detailed
glass fibre nonwovens. This may require modification of the test examination of variability within a given batch of material is
procedure. available in TAPPI T 11-05-74 and may be found helpful. This
publication may be obtained from: The Technical Association of
Pulp and Paper Industries, 1 Dun woody Park, Atlanta,
2 Normative references Georgia 30338, USA.
The following standards contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions 6 Preparation and conditioning of test
of this part of ISO 9073. At the time of publication, pieces
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
6.1 Unless otherwise specified, cut five test pieces in
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based
the machine direction and five in the cross-machine
on this part of ISO 9073 are encouraged to direction, ensuring that they are all taken at
investigate the possibility of applying the most least 100 mm from the edge and are equally
recent editions of the standards listed below.
distributed across the width and length of the
Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of
specimen.
currently valid International Standards.
6.2 Cut the test pieces 50 mm ± 0,5 mm wide and of
ISO 139:1973, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for
sufficient length to allow a jaw separation
conditioning and testing.
of 200 mm, thus avoiding risks due to local
ISO 186:1985, Paper and board — Sampling to heterogeneity of nonwovens or to undue cutting of
determine average quality. long-fibre nonwovens.
ISO 5081:1977, Textiles — Woven fabrics — NOTE Wider test pieces and different forms of clamping,
Determination of breaking strength and elongation e.g. C-form or piped form, may be used by agreement between the
interested parties; a note of these special conditions should be
(Strip method). included in the test report.

3 Principle 6.3 Condition the test pieces as specified in ISO 139.

6.4 If wet tensile tests are required, soak the test
Application of a force longitudinally to a test piece of pieces, without conditioning, for at least 1 h in a
a specified length and width at a constant rate of solution containing 1 g of a non-ionic wetting agent
extension. per litre of distilled water. Remove a test piece,
Determination of values for breaking strength and shake off excess water, and test immediately.
elongation from the recorded force-elongation curve. Repeat the operation for each of the other nine test
pieces.
4 Apparatus NOTE A wetting time of less than 1 h may be used by
agreement between the interested parties; if so, it should be
4.1 Tensile testing machine, constant rate of noted in the test report.
extension type, equipped with an autographic
recorder to register applied force and clamp 7 Procedure
separation.
7.1 Carry out the testing in the standard
atmosphere for testing (see ISO 139).

© BSI 03-1999 3
 ISO 9073-3:1989 (E)

7.2 Set the jaws of the tensile testing 8.3 Discard the results from any test piece where
machine 200 mm ± 1 mm apart and clamp the test the break occurs in the clamp or where any break
piece between them; straighten out the test piece reaches the jaws at a minimum of one point.
until the force curve is on the zero line. 8.4 Determine the means of the results, expressing
NOTE 1 Pretensioning may be applied as described in the average breaking strength, in newtons, to the
ISO 5081; if so, it should be noted in the test report. nearest 0,1 N, and the average percentage
NOTE 2 Where 200 mm is not available, a shorter test piece
elongation at break to the nearest 0,5 %. Calculate
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may be tested by agreement between the interested parties; if so,

this should be noted in the test report. the coefficients of variation of the results.
7.3 Apply a constant rate of extension NOTE Rupture energy may also be calculated from the total
of 100 mm/min and record the force-elongation area under the curve.
curve for each test piece.
9 Test report
NOTE Other rates of extension may be desirable and should be
agreed between the interested parties; if so, they should be noted The test report shall include the following
in the test report. information:
8 Expression of results a) a reference to this part of ISO 9073;
b) all details necessary for the identification of
8.1 Use the force-elongation curve to determine the
the material;
maximum breaking strength in newtons. If several
peak values for the breaking strength occur during c) the results of the test in both the machine
the test, take the highest value as the maximum direction and cross direction (see 8.4);
breaking strength, and note this occurrence in the d) the conditioning atmosphere used;
test report. e) any unusual features noted during the testing,
8.2 Determine the elongation of the test piece at the or deviations from the standard procedure.
maximum breaking strength and express this as a
percentage of the nominal gauge length, that is, the
original jaw separation.

4 © BSI 03-1999
 Provided by BSI UK. Limited access during COVID-19 emergency. Personal use only.

© BSI 03-1999
See national foreword.
Publication(s) referred to
BS EN 29073-3:1992
 BS EN
29073-3:1992
ISO 9073-3: BSI — British Standards Institution
1989
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