AirPerm M021A Textile Air Permeability Tester by SDL Atlas
| Brand | SDL Atlas |
|---|---|
| Origin | Guangdong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | OEM/ODM Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | M021A |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The AirPerm M021A Textile Air Permeability Tester is an engineered solution for precise, repeatable, and standards-compliant air permeability measurement across a broad spectrum of flexible sheet materials. Designed in accordance with the fundamental principle of volumetric airflow measurement under controlled differential pressure (ΔP), the instrument operates on the standardized constant-pressure method defined in ISO 9237, ASTM D737, EN ISO 9237, and GB/T 5453. It quantifies the rate of air flow (in L/m²/s or ft³/ft²/min) through a defined test area at a specified pressure drop—typically 100 Pa or 200 Pa—enabling objective comparison of breathability performance across textiles, nonwovens, filter media, medical fabrics, packaging papers, and elastomeric foams. Its modular architecture accommodates interchangeable test heads to maintain metrological integrity across diverse specimen geometries and permeability ranges—from low-permeability barrier films (10,000 L/m²/s).
Key Features
- Automated pressure-range detection: The system identifies installed test head diameter (e.g., 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm, or 200 mm) and self-adjusts the vacuum control algorithm to maintain target ΔP within ±1 Pa tolerance.
- Dual-stage high-efficiency vacuum pump: Delivers stable, low-noise (<62 dB(A)) suction across full operational range; integrated thermal protection and oil-free operation ensure long-term reliability and minimal maintenance.
- Robust mechanical clamping mechanism: Single-press pneumatic actuation secures specimens uniformly without edge distortion; release is equally one-touch, enabling sub-15-second sample turnover.
- Full-color capacitive touchscreen interface (7″, 800×480 resolution): Supports multilingual UI (English, Spanish, French, Chinese), real-time flow visualization, and on-device data logging with timestamping and operator ID tagging.
- Modular test head compatibility: Optional certified heads include ASTM D3574/EN ISO 7231-compliant foam compression fixtures and EN 14683-certified mask filtration adapters for medical-grade respiratory device validation.
- Mobility and ergonomics: Integrated industrial casters (locking swivel + brake), extended 650 mm test arm reach, and dual lateral storage drawers for accessories, calibration shims, and spare gaskets.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AirPerm M021A supports flat, flexible specimens up to 300 mm × 300 mm and thicknesses from 0.1 mm to 25 mm. Validated applications include woven and knitted fabrics, spunbond/meltblown nonwovens, coated papers, Tyvek®-type barriers, polyurethane foams (compression-set testing per ASTM D3574), surgical masks (differential pressure resistance per EN 14683:2019+AC:2021 Annex A), and filtration membranes. All test protocols align with ISO/IEC 17025 traceability requirements when used with NIST-traceable manometers and calibrated orifice plates. Instrument firmware supports audit-ready reporting compliant with GLP and internal QA workflows.
Software & Data Management
Test data—including airflow rate, pressure differential, temperature, relative humidity (via optional external sensor input), test duration, and pass/fail status—is stored locally in CSV and PDF formats. Internal memory retains ≥5,000 test records with searchable metadata (date, operator, material ID, standard reference). USB 2.0 port enables direct export to flash drives for offline analysis or integration into LIMS environments. No proprietary software installation is required; raw data files are natively readable in Excel, Python (pandas), or statistical packages. Firmware updates are delivered via signed .bin files with SHA-256 checksum verification.
Applications
- Textile R&D: Optimizing weave density, finish chemistry, and laminating processes for sportswear, protective clothing, and smart fabrics.
- Medical device manufacturing: Verifying breathability and pressure drop of surgical gowns, drapes, and face mask layers per ISO 22609 and EN 14683.
- Automotive interiors: Assessing air permeability of seat covers, headliners, and acoustic insulation materials under simulated cabin conditions.
- Packaging development: Evaluating moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) correlation in paperboard and coated film substrates.
- Quality assurance labs: Routine incoming inspection of nonwoven filters, geotextiles, and battery separator films against AQL sampling plans.
FAQ
What standards does the AirPerm M021A support out-of-the-box?
ISO 9237, ASTM D737, EN ISO 9237, GB/T 5453, and ASTM D3574 (with optional foam test head). Custom protocol loading is supported via configuration file import.
Can the instrument be integrated into a networked QA system?
Yes—while it operates autonomously, test logs exported via USB can be ingested into enterprise LIMS or MES platforms using standard CSV parsers. No Ethernet or Wi-Fi module is built-in.
Is calibration certification included with purchase?
A factory calibration report (traceable to NIM China) is provided. Annual recalibration services are available through SDL Atlas authorized service centers globally.
What is the maximum allowable specimen thickness for the standard 100 mm test head?
25 mm, with uniform surface contact maintained via spring-loaded clamping force (250 N ±10%). Thicker or compressible samples require foam-specific fixtures.
Does the system meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records?
It supports ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) but lacks electronic signature capability. For regulated pharmaceutical use, it is deployed as a standalone instrument within validated SOPs.
