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Gester Instruments | Professional Textile, Footwear and PPE Testing Equipments Manufacturers Since 1997
Interpretation of key quality indicators of masks - filtration efficiency
2022-09-04
Gester Instruments
296
Interpretation of key quality indicators of masks - filtration efficiency
The knowledge on mask filtration efficiency will help you select qualified mask products, optimize mask production processes, and determine the most suitable application scenarios for different types of masks. It is the core basis for mask quality control, R&D testing and product selection in related industries. Today’s guide explores the core connotation of mask filtration efficiency, its relevant testing standards, the core testing equipment and its performance characteristics.
So, before carrying out mask production, quality inspection or R&D research, read this guide to grasp the key points of filtration efficiency detection and application.
What is Mask Filtration Efficiency
Mask filtration efficiency refers to the ability of a mask to intercept and filter harmful substances such as microbial aerosols, solid particles and liquid droplets in the air during breathing. It is the core key quality indicator of masks that directly determines the protective performance of masks.
The filtration efficiency of masks is mainly measured by the percentage of harmful substances intercepted by the mask material under specified test conditions. Different types of masks (medical, civil, industrial protective) have different filtration efficiency requirements according to their application scenarios. The detection of filtration efficiency must be carried out in a standardized test environment with professional equipment to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the test results.
Main Standards for Mask Filtration Efficiency
The detection and evaluation of mask filtration efficiency must follow unified national and international industry standards. These standards specify the test methods, technical requirements and judgment criteria for mask filtration efficiency, and are the fundamental basis for mask production, quality inspection and market circulation. The main applicable standards for mask filtration efficiency are as follows:
- YY 0469: Chinese national standard for medical surgical masks, defining the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) requirements and test methods for medical surgical masks
- BS EN 14683: European Union standard for medical face masks, specifying the filtration efficiency indicators and detection specifications for medical masks used in clinical scenarios
- ASTM F2100: American standard for medical face masks, classifying the filtration efficiency of medical masks by grade and clarifying the corresponding test parameters
- ASTM F2101: American standard for the testing of mask filtration efficiency against particulate matter, providing the test method for mask particle filtration efficiency (PFE)
- NBR 15052: Brazilian national standard for masks, defining the filtration efficiency requirements for masks applicable to the Brazilian market
BFE Tester – Core Equipment for Filtration Efficiency Testing
Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) Tester is the professional core equipment for detecting the filtration efficiency of masks. It is specially developed for the filtration efficiency test of mask products, and can simulate the actual use environment to carry out standardized detection of the bacterial filtration efficiency of masks. The test data obtained by the BFE Tester is the direct basis for judging whether the mask filtration efficiency meets the standard requirements, and it is an indispensable equipment in the mask quality control chain.
Application of the BFE Tester
This BFE Tester is applied to test the filtration efficiency of mask, can be used in metering calibration department, scientific research institution, mask manufacturer and other related departments.
It provides accurate and reliable filtration efficiency test data for mask production enterprises in product research and development, batch quality inspection and factory testing; for metering calibration departments, it is the key equipment for calibrating mask testing instruments and unifying test standards; for scientific research institutions, it supports the research and optimization of mask material performance and filtration efficiency improvement technology.
Features of the BFE Tester
The BFE Tester is designed with professional testing performance and humanized operation design, and its core features fully meet the standardized test requirements of mask filtration efficiency and ensure the safety and convenience of the test operation. The specific features are as follows:
- Negative pressure testing system, which can protect operator’s safety.
- Peristaltic pump was built in the negative pressure cabinet, A & B two routes 6 level Andersen sampling head.
- The flow speed of peristaltic pump can be set.
- The spray flow of bacterial liquid inside the special microbial aerosol generator can be set.
- Good atomization effect.
- Embedded high speed industrial microcomputer control.
- 10.4 "industrial high brightness color touch screen display.
- USB connector, support USB data archived.
- High brightness light installed in the cabinet.
- Switching type glass door in front of the machine, easy to observe by the operator.
Factors Affecting Mask Filtration Efficiency
The filtration efficiency of masks is not a fixed value, and it is affected by many factors in the production, processing and use process. Grasping these influencing factors is the key to optimizing mask production technology and ensuring the protective effect of masks. The main influencing factors are as follows:
- Raw material performance: The material, gram weight and fiber structure of the mask’s melt-blown non-woven fabric (the core filtration layer) directly determine the basic filtration efficiency of the mask; the electrostatic electret effect of the melt-blown fabric is also an important factor affecting the interception of fine particles.
- Production process: The number of composite layers of the mask filter layer, the hot pressing process of the mask and the sealing effect of the edge will affect the overall filtration efficiency; the precision control of the production process will avoid the occurrence of filter layer damage and air leakage.
- Use environment: High humidity and high temperature environment will reduce the electrostatic effect of the melt-blown fabric, leading to the decrease of filtration efficiency; the presence of oil fume and other viscous substances in the air will block the filter layer pores and affect the filtration effect.
- Wearing method: The poor fit between the mask and the face will form air leakage gaps, making the air containing harmful substances bypass the filter layer and directly enter the human respiratory tract, which makes the actual filtration efficiency far lower than the tested value.
Importance of Filtration Efficiency in Mask Quality
Filtration efficiency is the core of mask protective performance and the most important quality indicator for measuring mask products. Its importance is reflected in all links of mask production, circulation and use:
- For mask manufacturers, filtration efficiency is the core index of product quality control.
- For mask users, filtration efficiency is the key to ensuring personal safety. Whether it is medical staff in clinical scenarios, ordinary people in public places or workers in industrial dust environments, the mask with qualified filtration efficiency can effectively isolate harmful substances and reduce the risk of infection and injury.
- For relevant testing and research departments, filtration efficiency is the core research object of mask quality evaluation and technology optimization. The research on improving filtration efficiency is the main direction of mask material innovation and process improvement.
- For the whole mask industry, the unified filtration efficiency standard and accurate detection method are the basis for the standardized development of the industry, which can avoid the circulation of unqualified products and ensure the overall quality level of the industry.
FAQ
Why is filtration efficiency the core quality indicator of masks?
Filtration efficiency directly determines the mask's ability to intercept harmful substances such as bacteria and particles, which is the fundamental function of the mask to achieve protective effects. Other indicators of the mask are all around the realization and guarantee of filtration efficiency, so it is the core quality indicator of masks.
What is the significance of international standards for mask filtration efficiency?
International standards unify the test methods, technical requirements and judgment criteria of mask filtration efficiency, which not only provide a basis for the quality control of mask manufacturers in various countries, but also facilitate the cross-border circulation of mask products and the mutual recognition of test results.
Why is the negative pressure testing system designed for the BFE Tester?
The negative pressure testing system can prevent the microbial aerosol and bacterial liquid used in the test from leaking out of the test cabinet, avoid the operator from being exposed to harmful microorganisms, and ensure the personal safety of the tester during the filtration efficiency test.
How to ensure the accuracy of BFE tester detection results?
The accuracy of the test results can be ensured by setting the test parameters according to the corresponding national and international standards, regularly calibrating the peristaltic pump, aerosol generator and other core components of the tester, and maintaining the good atomization effect and stable flow rate of the equipment.
What factors affect the testing accuracy of the BFE tester?
The main factors include the unstable flow rate of the peristaltic pump, the poor atomization effect of the microbial aerosol generator, the inaccurate sampling of the Andersen sampling head, and the failure to carry out regular metering and calibration of the equipment. In addition, the environmental temperature and humidity of the test site will also have a certain impact on the test accuracy.
What is the relationship between mask filtration efficiency and its application scenario?
Different application scenarios have different requirements for mask filtration efficiency: medical surgical masks (YY 0469) need to meet the high bacterial filtration efficiency requirements for clinical infection prevention; industrial protective masks need higher particle filtration efficiency for dust and harmful particles; civil masks can select products with corresponding filtration efficiency according to the risk level of the use environment.
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