Investigation of the Relationship Between the Structural Properties and Air, Water Drop and Particle Permeability of Different Masks Available in the Market

Abstract

This study was performed on the masks which started to have vital importance after the Covid-19 which were first seen in China at the end of 2019 and spread all over the world in a short time and became a global epidemic. By examining the structural and morphological properties (number of layers, fabric properties used in different layers, average fiber diameter, fiber distribution, average porosity diameter, etc.) of different masks procured from local producers, air permeability, water drop and particle permeability were investigated. Structural and morphological properties of different layers of masks were observed through SEM analysis. The air permeability analysis of the masks was performed at 100 pascals pressure, in an area of 5 cm2 in 4 repetitions using Textest-Fx 3300 Air Permeability Device. The water drop permeability analysis was carried out with 0.3 µM NaCl solution under standard atmospheric conditions in a non-pressurized environment. A crocmeter was used for particle permeability analysis. And it was tested whether the fine particulate dust passed to the back of the mask. It has been determined that the air permeability, water drop and particle permeability behavior of the masks with different structural and morphological properties are very different.