Unmasking the mask: Investigating the role of physical properties in the efficacy of fabric masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F46747885%3A24410%2F21%3A00009504" target="_blank" >RIV/46747885:24410/21:00009504 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/24/7756/htm" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/24/7756/htm</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma14247756" target="_blank" >10.3390/ma14247756</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Unmasking the mask: Investigating the role of physical properties in the efficacy of fabric masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus

Original language description

To function as source control, a fabric mask must be able to filter micro-droplets (≥5 µm) in expiratory secretions and still allow the wearer to breathe normally. This study investigated the effects of fabric structural properties on the filtration efficiency (FE) and air permeability (AP) of a range of textile fabrics, using a new method to measure the filtration of particles in the described conditions. The FE improved significantly when the number of layers increased. The FE of the woven fabrics was generally higher, but double-layer weft knitted fabrics, especially when combined with a third (filter) layer, provided a comparable FE without compromising on breathability. This also confirmed the potential of nonwoven fabrics as filter layers in masks. None of the physical fabric properties studied affected FE significantly more than the others. The variance in results achieved within the sample groups show that the overall performance properties of each textile fabric are a product of its combined physical or structural properties, and assumptions that fabrics which appear to be similar will exhibit the same performance properties cannot be made. The combination of layers of fabric in the design of a mask further contributes to the product performance.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

20500 - Materials engineering

Project

<a href="/en/project/EF16_019%2F0000843" target="_blank" >EF16_019/0000843: Hybrid Materials for Hierarchical Structure</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2021

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Materials

ISSN

1996-1944

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

14

Issue of the periodical within the volume

24

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

20

Pages from-to

7737-7756

UT code for WoS article

000738732300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85121295925