Air Permeability Tester

Air Permeability Testers | ASTM D737 & ISO 9237 Fabric and Nonwoven Testing

An air permeability tester measures the amount of air passing through a flat material under a controlled pressure difference. Test results are typically reported as face velocity or volumetric airflow per unit area. Textile mills, PPE manufacturers, filtration companies, and paper converters use air permeability testing to evaluate breathability, airflow, filter performance, and barrier properties. Qualitest offers air permeability testers designed to meet ASTM D737, ISO 9237, and ISO 9073-15 testing requirements.

The three testers in this range are configured for different pressure ranges, specimen thicknesses, and connectivity requirements. Each system securely clamps the specimen over an interchangeable test head and draws air through the material using a vacuum pump. The controller maintains the specified pressure differential while a calibrated nozzle measures airflow. Test results are displayed directly on the instrument in the required measurement unit, eliminating the need for manual conversions.

Why Choose Qualitest for Your Air Permeability Tester

Qualitest North America provides precision textile and material testing equipment for laboratories, quality control teams, and manufacturers, supported by technical assistance and calibration services. Our air permeability tester range is designed to deliver consistent, standards-based measurements for fabric, nonwoven, filtration, and other porous materials.

Our team can help you select the right air permeability testing system based on your material type, specimen dimensions, applicable testing standards, pressure requirements, and testing volume. From system selection and installation to ongoing technical support, Qualitest provides a complete testing solution for your laboratory.

Applications

Air permeability testing is used across a wide range of industries where controlled airflow and material porosity influence product performance, comfort, filtration, or barrier properties.

• Apparel and Home Textiles: Measures the breathability of woven and knitted fabrics used in sportswear, outerwear, bedding, upholstery, and other textile products.

• Nonwovens and Hygiene Products: Evaluates airflow through spunbond, meltblown, and composite nonwoven materials in accordance with EDANA 140.1 and ISO 9073-15.

• Medical Textiles and PPE: Tests mask materials, surgical gowns, and protective clothing to assess airflow resistance and wearer comfort.

• Air and Liquid Filtration Media: Characterizes filter paper, pleatable filter media, and dust-collector fabrics during product development, quality control, and incoming material inspection.

• Paper, Board, and Packaging: Measures air permeability in tissue, kraft paper, and packaging board where material porosity can influence converting, processing, and product performance.

• Automotive Interiors and Airbag Fabrics: Verifies the controlled permeability of seat fabrics, headliners, airbag textiles, and other automotive materials against specified requirements.

• Flexible Foams and Sponges: Determines airflow characteristics of polyurethane slabstock foam and cushioning materials according to ISO 7231 and ASTM D3574.

• Geotextiles and Building Membranes: Evaluates housewrap, breather membranes, drainage geotextiles, and other porous construction materials for specified airflow performance.

Air Permeability Tester Range

Qualitest offers three air permeability tester models designed for different pressure ranges, specimen thicknesses, testing applications, and data connectivity requirements.

QualiPermatest™ Series

The QualiPermatest™ Series provides the broadest measurement range, covering air velocities from 0.1 to 12,000 mm/s at specimen pressure differentials up to 1,000 Pa. Six test areas and ten interchangeable nozzles ranging from 0.8 mm to 16 mm accommodate materials ranging from dense coated fabrics to open filter meshes.

The clamp accepts specimens up to 12 mm thick, making the system suitable for foams, thick filter mats, and other porous materials. The QualiPermatest™ I features PLC touchscreen operation, while the QualiPermatest™ II adds PC-based control for laboratory workflows and data management.

Air Permeability Tester – AirFicient

The AirFicient is designed for connected testing and convenient data management. Its Wi-Fi connection works with the SmarTexLab smartphone app, allowing operators to configure test parameters, monitor test progress, and share results without remaining at the instrument.

Using the standard 20 cm² test head, the AirFicient measures air velocity from 0.6 to 10,000 mm/s, with test pressures from 10 to 2,500 Pa. Sixteen selectable measurement units support different reporting requirements. Maintenance-free range conversion components help maintain repeatable measurements during extended testing and production QC workflows.

Textile and Fabrics Air Permeability Tester – Permatest

The Permatest is a touch-panel air permeability tester designed for textile, fabric, and mask testing laboratories. It supports test pressures up to 4,000 Pa and an air velocity range of 0.1 to 9,999 mm/s.

Standard configurations include 20 cm² and 38 cm² test heads with eleven interchangeable nozzles. An automatic specimen holder starts the test when the specimen is positioned and stops the pump when it is released, helping reduce operator-related variation and improve testing consistency.

How to Choose the Right Air Permeability Tester

Selecting the right air permeability testing instrument depends on your specimen thickness, pressure requirements, measurement range, connectivity, and laboratory workflow.

• For thick foams, filter mats, or broad measurement ranges: Choose the QualiPermatest™ Series for specimens up to 12 mm thick and an air velocity range of 0.1 to 12,000 mm/s.

• For laboratories using multiple reporting methods: Consider the QualiPermatest™ Series or AirFicient, which provide seven and sixteen measurement units, respectively.

• For multi-site quality control or remote monitoring: The AirFicient provides Wi-Fi connectivity through its smartphone app for parameter setup, test monitoring, and result sharing.

• For high-pressure testing of dense coated fabrics: Choose the Permatest, with test pressures up to 4,000 Pa.

• For routine apparel, textile, and mask media testing: The Permatest combines an automatic specimen holder with analysis software for efficient routine testing.

• For LIMS integration and PC-based laboratory workflows: Choose the QualiPermatest™ II, which includes an RS232C interface and dedicated operating software.

• For specimens below 10 mm using a standard 20 cm² test head: Any of the three models may be suitable. In this case, compare connectivity, pressure range, measurement range, and data-management requirements to select the best configuration.

Request a Quote

Share your material type, required test area, pressure range, applicable standard, and expected testing volume, and our team can recommend the right air permeability tester for your application.

Contact the Qualitest team for pricing, configuration options, and lead times.