I e-mailed Southwest Research Institute and asked them for information on ISO 12103-1 A4 coarse test (ISO 5011) testing as it relates to automobile air filters. I thought I'd pass along their reply...
.."we perform ISO 5011 testing of automotive and heavy duty intake air filtration systems.
The A4 Coarse test dust is just one of the dusts used in filter testing. For air filtration, the other common dust type is the A2 Fine test dust. These are selected depending on the clients interest. For information on the test dust, I would suggest looking at the suppliers website: https://www.powdertechnologyinc.com/ . They have some information the test dust distribution and have a write up on the history of test dust.
As far as air filtration testing goes, ISO 5011 has three primary tests, Restriction/Differential Pressure Test, Initial Efficiency Test, and Cumulative Efficiency/Capacity Test. All tests are completed at a standard conditions for temperature and humidity. Efficiency results are determined gravimetrically with an absolute filter located downstream of the test article.
The Restriction/Differential Pressure Test is a sweep of flow rates, relative to the rated air flow for the filter element. These rates are typically 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of rated flow.
The Initial Efficiency Test is typically a 30 minute test where we feed a set amount of dust to the element. This is done to see what the efficiency of an element is before it starts to load and get more efficient.
The Cumulative Efficiency/Capacity test is ran until the terminal condition for the element is reached. A typical value here for on road is 10 inWC above initial restriction/differential pressure. Cumulative Efficiency and Capacity includes any loading and dust penetration measured during an initial efficiency test. Typically in automotive, the cumulative efficiency is the only number that is publicized."
Ed
.."we perform ISO 5011 testing of automotive and heavy duty intake air filtration systems.
The A4 Coarse test dust is just one of the dusts used in filter testing. For air filtration, the other common dust type is the A2 Fine test dust. These are selected depending on the clients interest. For information on the test dust, I would suggest looking at the suppliers website: https://www.powdertechnologyinc.com/ . They have some information the test dust distribution and have a write up on the history of test dust.
As far as air filtration testing goes, ISO 5011 has three primary tests, Restriction/Differential Pressure Test, Initial Efficiency Test, and Cumulative Efficiency/Capacity Test. All tests are completed at a standard conditions for temperature and humidity. Efficiency results are determined gravimetrically with an absolute filter located downstream of the test article.
The Restriction/Differential Pressure Test is a sweep of flow rates, relative to the rated air flow for the filter element. These rates are typically 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of rated flow.
The Initial Efficiency Test is typically a 30 minute test where we feed a set amount of dust to the element. This is done to see what the efficiency of an element is before it starts to load and get more efficient.
The Cumulative Efficiency/Capacity test is ran until the terminal condition for the element is reached. A typical value here for on road is 10 inWC above initial restriction/differential pressure. Cumulative Efficiency and Capacity includes any loading and dust penetration measured during an initial efficiency test. Typically in automotive, the cumulative efficiency is the only number that is publicized."
Ed