EN 4507:2013

Overview

EN 4507:2013 is a European standard developed by CEN that defines a test method for determining water extractable matter in aerospace textiles. This standard addresses the need within the aerospace industry to accurately measure substances-such as yarn size, oils, or grease-that are extractable from textile materials using hot water. As part of the aerospace series on non-metallic materials, EN 4507:2013 ensures reliable and consistent testing to guarantee material performance and safety in critical aerospace applications.

The procedure involves boiling textile samples in distilled or deionized water, filtering the aqueous extract, evaporating it to dryness, and measuring residue mass gravimetrically. The method is designed specifically to meet aerospace industry requirements and uses standard laboratory equipment and practices.

Key Topics

• Scope: Specifies hot water extraction method for determining water soluble substances in textile materials used in aerospace.
• Principle: Extraction of water extractable matter by boiling textile sample in distilled or deionized water, followed by gravimetric measurement of residue.
• Sample Preparation: Cutting conditioned textile samples into nominal 10mm squares, typically weighing 5g ±0.05g for testing.
• Apparatus:
  • Chemically resistant round bottom flasks with ground glass necks.
  • Water-cooled condensers.
  • Filter papers with specific retention and thickness (e.g., Whatman 42).
  • Laboratory balance with 0.0002g accuracy.
  • Evaporating vessels for residue drying.
• Test Conditions: Boil the sample in 100 ml of distilled water for 60 minutes; cool rapidly to 20 ± 2°C to avoid contamination.
• Calculation: Quantification of extractable matter as a percentage of specimen mass, with formulas differing for yarns/fabrics and felts/loose fibres/wool.
• Safety: Users must ensure safe laboratory practices and comply with relevant health and environmental regulations.
• Reporting: Test reports shall include standard references, sample identification, test results, personnel traceability, dates, and any deviations.

Applications

EN 4507:2013 serves as a crucial quality control and verification method within the aerospace industry for non-metallic textile materials. Its practical applications include:

• Aerospace Manufacturing: Ensuring textile materials meet cleanliness and extractable contaminants limits that could affect bonding, coating, or performance in aircraft interior or structural components.
• Material Certification: Providing objective data on water soluble extractables to support certification and acceptance of aerospace textiles.
• Research and Development: Enabling formulation improvements in textile treatments or coatings by evaluating water extractable contaminants.
• Laboratory Testing: Offering standardized extraction methods for aerospace material testing laboratories to produce consistent and comparable data.
• Supplier Evaluation: Helping aerospace manufacturers assess and qualify textile suppliers based on standardized extractable matter criteria.

By adhering to EN 4507:2013, aerospace stakeholders ensure material reliability, contributing to enhanced safety and longevity of aerospace equipment and components.

Related Standards

EN 4507:2013 is part of the broader aerospace series of standards for non-metallic materials. Relevant related standards include:

• EN 4385: Aerospace series - Non-metallic materials - General organization of standardization - Describes the overall structure and levels of standards within the aerospace non-metallic materials series.
• EN 20139 (ISO 139): Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing - Specifies atmospheric conditions required for textile sample preparation and testing, supporting accurate and repeatable results in EN 4507 testing.
• Other Aerospace Textile Standards: Further specialized test methods for non-metallic materials ensuring comprehensive quality control throughout aerospace textile supply chains.

Compliance with EN 4507:2013 alongside these related standards supports integrated quality assurance programs and harmonized testing protocols within aerospace material qualification processes.

Keywords: EN 4507, aerospace textile testing, water extractable matter, non-metallic materials, aerospace standards, textile test method, hot water extraction, material certification, aerospace manufacturing quality control, CEN aerospace standards.