ISO 5636-4:2013

Overview

ISO 5636-4:2013 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for determining the air permeance of paper and board using the Sheffield method. This method employs a Sheffield apparatus to accurately measure medium-range air permeance values in the range of 0.02 µm/(Pa·s) to 25 µm/(Pa·s). The Sheffield method is particularly significant in the paper and board industry, where controlling air permeance is critical to product performance, particularly in applications requiring controlled porosity. The standard, however, is not suitable for rough-surfaced materials that cannot be securely clamped to avoid air leakage during testing.

Key Topics

• Sheffield Method: Utilizes the Sheffield apparatus which consists of an air supply, pressure regulating device, pressure manometer, air-flow-measuring device, and a specially designed clamping assembly.
• Test Procedure: Involves clamping the paper or board sample between rubber orifice plates, regulating a specific pressure differential, and measuring the air flow through the test area.
• Air Permeance Measurement: Results are reported as micrometres per pascal second, with the option to convert traditional Sheffield units (SU) to SI units.
• Sampling and Conditioning: Specifies requirements for the preparation, sampling (per ISO 186), and conditioning (per ISO 187) of test samples to ensure reliable and reproducible results.
• Calibration: Details calibration procedures for both variable-area and electronic flow-measuring devices to maintain measurement accuracy within 5%.
• Reporting Requirements: Describes all necessary information to be included in the test report, such as reference to ISO 5636-4, sample identification, the number of test pieces, calculation methods, and deviations from the standard.

Applications

The ISO 5636-4:2013 standard is essential in various sectors of the paper and board industry:

• Quality Control: Paper and board manufacturers use this standard to ensure that their products meet specific air permeance requirements, which affect printability, coating, and bonding.
• Product Development: Researchers and development teams employ the Sheffield method to evaluate new grades of paper and board with tailored porosity or barrier properties.
• Compliance and Certification: Organizations seeking to demonstrate compliance with international quality standards reference ISO 5636-4:2013 for air permeance testing.
• Printing and Packaging: Air permeance levels tested via the Sheffield method can influence ink absorption, drying, and the barrier function in packaging papers and boards.
• Comparative Testing: Laboratories conducting comparative analyses between different paper types or manufacturing conditions benefit from this standardized, repeatable test method.

Related Standards

For comprehensive air permeance evaluation and complementary testing within paper and board manufacturing, the following related standards are referenced:

• ISO 186: Paper and board - Sampling to determine average quality
• ISO 187: Paper, board and pulps - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing and procedure for monitoring the atmosphere and conditioning of samples
• ISO 5636-3: Paper and board - Determination of air permeance (medium range) - Part 3: Bendtsen method
• ISO 5636-5: Paper and board - Determination of air permeance (medium range) - Part 5: Gurley method
• TAPPI T 547: Air permeance of paper and paperboard (Sheffield method)
• ISO/TR 24498: Paper, board and pulps - Estimation of uncertainty for test methods

Adhering to ISO 5636-4:2013 and its associated standards ensures reliable, comparable, and repeatable air permeance testing in the paper and board industry, enabling consistent product quality and performance in the international marketplace.

Keywords: ISO 5636-4:2013, Sheffield method, air permeance, paper and board testing, Sheffield apparatus, air permeability test, quality control, paper industry standards.