Analytical and Physical Testing Lab
The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University offers more than 60 analytical and physical tests for nonwoven materials, with strict adherence to standard test methods.
The expertise in NWI’s Analytical and Physical Testing Lab is rooted in more than 30 years of work with rigorous test methods for fibers and fabrics in nonwoven applications. This deep testing knowledge, combined with the state-of-the-art instruments housed in NWI’s Analytical and Physical Testing Lab, ensures precise and reliable results for our customers. And with the breadth of tests available, NWI offers the convenience of a trusted single-source provider for nonwovens testing.
NWI’s Analytical and Physical Testing Lab performs many of the ASTM and IST test methods, with an emphasis on testing fibers and nonwoven structures. In addition to standard test methods, the lab also offers several characterization methods, including SEM, DSC and TGA, it is certified ISO 9001, and it operates according to GMP supported by a strong set of standard operating procedures.
Nonwoven Structure Analysis
Fiber orientation distribution, the key property governing the performance of nonwovens, is easily measured using nondestructive patent-pending optical techniques developed by The Nonwovens Institute.
Optical web basis weight uniformity analysis provides a reliable and objective way to characterize nonwoven uniformity. These methods were developed by NWI and have been proven techniques used by many in industry. Samples A through E in the image at the right have the same basis weight, and contain the same fibers, but vary greatly in their uniformity.
Why Test Your Nonwovens at NWI?
- Decades of in-house testing experience
- More than 60 testing instruments available
- Strict adherence to ASTM and IST test methods
- ISO 9001 certified
- Strict adherence to GMP and SOPs
- Highly competitive pricing model
- Quick turnaround times
Unique Capabilities Include:
- Keyence digital microscope
- Optical fiber orientation analysis system
- Optical texture analysis system
- Optical fabric uniformity system
- Optical fuzz and pilling analysis system
- Full line of image analysis software
If you wish to use the pilot equipment or have some testing done at NWI, you will need to have a Fabrication and Testing Agreement in place.
If you have questions about NWI’s analytical and physical testing services, please email us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.
Photo gallery
NWI Analytical & Physical Testing Lab
Tests and Equipment
| TEST METHODS | |
|---|---|
| ABRASION RESISTANCE | |
| Flexing and Abrasion | IST 20.2 (ASTM D3885) |
| Oscillatory Cylinder | IST 20.3 (ASTM D4175) |
| Rotary Platform | IST 20.4 (ASTM D3884) |
| Martindale | IST 20.5 (ASTM D4966) |
| Uniform Abrasion Method | IST 20.6 (ASTM D4158) |
| Inflated Diaphragm | IST 20.1 (ASTM D3886-92) |
| ABSORBENCY | |
| Measure absorbency time, absorbency capacity and wicking rate | IST 10.1, EDANA 10.1.72, ASTM D1117-95 |
| BENDING STIFFNESS | |
| Bending | ASTM D1388 |
| Cantilevel | IST 90.1 |
| Handle-O-Meter | ASTM D6828 |
| BURSTING RESISTANCE | |
| Ball Burst | ASTM D6797 |
| Diaphragm | IST 30.1 (ASTM D3786, TAPPI T403 om-91) |
| FIBER ANALYSIS | |
| Quantitative Analysis | IST 170.1 |
| Fiber Crimp Measurement | ASTM D3937 |
| Favimat | IST 180.1 (ASTM D4271) |
| FRICTION | |
| Static and Kinetic | IST 140.1 |
| IMAGING ANALYSIS | |
| ODF, Uniformity and Texture | |
| OPTICAL | |
| SEM, Fiber Diameter, Optical Microscopy | |
| PERMEABILITY | |
| Air | IST 70.1 (ASTM D737) |
| Capillary Flow Porometer | |
| Water Vapor | ASTM D6701, ASTM E96 |
| REPELLENCY | |
| Penetration By Water | IST 80.4 (AATCC 127) |
| TEAR RESISTANCE | |
| Elmendorf | IST 100.1 (ASTM D5734) |
| Trapezoid | IST 100.2 (ASTM D5733) |
| Tongue | IST 100.3 (ASTM D2261) |
| TENSILE | |
| Grab | IST 110.1 (ASTM D5034) |
| Seam Strength | IST 110.2 (ASTM D1683) |
| Strip | IST 110.4 (ASTM D5035) |
| THERMAL ANALYSIS | |
| TGA, DSC and Rheometer | |
| THICKNESS | |
| Conventional Nonwovens | IST 120.1 (ASTM D5729) |
| Highloft Nonwovens: Compression and Recovery | IST 120.2 (ASTM D5736) |
| Thickness | ASTM D1777 |
| WEIGHT | |
| Mass/Unit Area of Conventional Fabrics | IST 130.1 (ASTM D3776) |
| Mass/Unit Area of Nonwoven Fabrics | IST 130.2 |
| TESTING INSTRUMENTS |
|---|
| Rheology |
| Discovery DSC |
| Discovery TGA |
| Discovery Rheometer HR-3 |
| Physical |
| Instron 4400R Tensile Tester |
| United 6 Head Tensile Tester |
| MTS Criterion Model 43 Tensile Tester |
| Taber Abrasion |
| L&W Air Permeance Tester |
| Textest FC3300 Air Perm Tester |
| Textechno Favimat |
| ESPEC Environmental Chamber |
| Handle-O-Meter |
| TN139 Testex Synthetic Blood Tester |
| Netzsch Lambda HFM436 |
| Mocon Permatran W 100K |
| Ames Thickness Tester |
| Cantilever |
| TF310 Testex Flammability Tester |
| James Heal Truburst 3 Bursting Tester |
| Textest Hydrostatic Head |
| James Heal Martindale Abrasion Tester |
| LZC-4 Photo-reactor |
| Optical |
| Phenom XL SEM |
| Phenom Pro X SEM |
| Keyence VHX-6000 Digital Microscope |
| Epson 1640XL Scanner |
| Nikon SMZ 1000 Stereo Microscope |
| ODF |
| Uniformity |
If you have questions about NWI’s analytical and physical testing services, please email us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.