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- T-9179 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE (DOULBE BLADES FOR DOUBLE SHAFTS)T-9179 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE (DOULBE BLADES FOR DOUBLE SHAFTS) AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE DOULBE BLADES FOR DOUBLE SHAFTS APPLICATION: SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS TAPE SUCH AS PVC, MASKING, DOUBLE SIDE, OPP PACKAGING AND FOAM TAPES, ETC SPECIFICATIONS: ROLLER WIDTH: 1800mm CUTTING WIDTH: 2mm TO 1700mm PAPER CORE I.D.: 1 INCH (CHANGEABLE) CUTTING DIAMETER: MAX. 160mm POWER SOURCE: PLEASE ADVISE: 220 V 60 Hz PHASE AIR SOURCE: 5 KG (PREPARED BY USER) QUANTITY: 1 Learn More
- T-9178 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINE, 4 SHAFTS, 2 BLADEST-9178 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINE, 4 SHAFTS, 2 BLADES AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE LOGS 4 SHAFTS 2 BLADES FOUR SHAFTS ROTATE AROUND TO MEET THE TWO BLADES APPLICATION: SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS TAPE SUCH AS PVC, MASKING, BANDAGES, DOUBLE SIDE, OPP PACKAGING AND FOAM TAPES, ETC SPECIFICATIONS: ROLLER WIDTH: 1800mm CUTTING WIDTH: 2mm TO 1700mm PAPER CORE I.D.: 1 INCH (CHANGEABLE) CUTTING DIAMETER: MAXIMUM 160mm POWER SOURCE: 220 VOLTS, 60 Hz AIR SOURCE: 5 KG (FURNISHED BY USER) QUANTITY: 1 Learn More
- T-9177 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE (SINGLE BLADE FOR SINGLE SHAFT)T-9177 AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE (SINGLE BLADE FOR SINGLE SHAFT) AUTOMATIC CUTTING MACHINERY FOR TAPE LOGS SINGLE BLADE FOR SINGLE SHAFT APPLICATION: SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS TAPE SUCH AS PVC, MASKING, BANDAGES, DOUBLE SIDE, OPP PACKAGING AND FOAM TAPES, ETC SPECIFICATIONS: ROLLER WIDTH: 1800mm CUTTING WIDTH: 2mm TO 1700mm PAPER CORE I.D.: 1 INCH (CHANGEABLE) CUTTING DIAMETER: MAXIMUM 400mm POWER SOURCE: 220 VOLTS 60 Hz AIR SOURCE: 5 KG/cm2 (FURNISHED BY USER) QUANTITY: 1 Learn More
- YY-1521COMPUTERIZED SINGLE HEAD QUILTING MACHINEYY-1521COMPUTERIZED SINGLE HEAD QUILTING MACHINE QUANTITY: 1 Learn More
- YY-1485-D MATTRESS CONVEYOR LINE WITH SPRAY BRIDGE FOR LAMINATING OR APPLYING GLUEYY-1485-D MATTRESS CONVEYOR LINE WITH SPRAY BRIDGE FOR LAMINATING OR APPLYING GLUE QUANTITY: 1 Learn More
- J-3004 FIBRILLATED RAFFIA TAPE EXTRUSION LINE – NEW, 120mmJ-3004 FIBRILLATED RAFFIA TAPE EXTRUSION LINE – NEW, 120mm PP FIBRILLATED YARN EXTRUDER LINE MODEL: NOVASTAR-120 EXTRUSION LINE FOR PRODUCTION OF PP FIBRILLATED YARN RAW MATERIAL: PP GRANULE FINISHED PRODUCTS: NON-TWISTED TAPE YARN, FIBRILLATED YARN FOR TWINE RANGE OF PRODUCT: 10,000 TO 30,000 DENIER 10000 DENIER APPROXIMATELY 17 TO 19 YARN 16000 DENIER APPROXIMATELY 11 TO 12 YARN 22000 DENIER APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 9 YARN 28000 DENIER APPROXIMATELY 6 TO 7 YARN 32000 DENIER APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 6 YARN EXTRUSION THROUGHPUT: 300 KG PER HOUR EXTRUSION CAPACITY: 180 TO 250 KG PER HOUR (PRODUCT CAPACITY DEPEND ON FILAMENT SIZE) EXTRUDER SCREW DIAMETER: Ø 120mm T-DIE WIDTH: 1300mm TAKE-OFF ROLLER WIDTH: 1200mm TAKE-OFF LINE SPEED: 160 METERS PER MINUTE (MAXIMUM) OPERATION SIDE: RIGHT TO LEFT, OR LEFT TO RIGHT Learn More
- T-6550 MEDICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING BLOOD SYNTHETIC PENETRABILITY TESTER
REFERENCE NUMBER: T-6550
MEDICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING BLOOD SYNTHETIC PENETRABILITY TESTER
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND CONFIGURATION:
1. THE INSTRUMENT ADOPTS AN AIR SOURCE THAT CAN PROVIDE (0.5 ~ 30±0.1) KPA PRESSURE TO CONTINUOUSLY PRESSURIZED THE SAMPLE, WHICH IS NOT RESTRICTED BY THE SPACE OF THE TEST SITE;
2. THE AIR PRESSURE RANGE CAN BE ADJUSTED FREELY, AND THE ADJUSTMENT RANGE (0.5 ~ 30) KPA;
3. COLOR TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY AND OPERATION;
4. THE SAMPLE CLAMPING PAD IS PROCESSED WITH IMPORTED SPECIAL ALUMINUM PROFILES, WHICH IS LIGHT IN MATERIAL, CLEAN IN SURFACE AND NEVER RUSTS.
5. THE INSTRUMENT ADOPTS IMPORTED SPECIAL ALUMINUM WIRE DRAWING PANEL, EQUIPPED WITH METAL KEYS, SENSITIVE OPERATION, NOT EASY TO DAMAGE;
6. CLAMPING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENT SAMPLES, EQUIPPED WITH LOCKING PROTECTION, TO PREVENT THE SYNTHETIC BLOOD FROM SPLASHING AROUND;
7. CLAMPING FORCE IS ACCURATE AND RELIABLE;
8. THE TEST TANK IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPECIAL PLACEMENT DEVICE, WHICH IS CONVENIENT FOR CUSTOMERS TO OPERATE;
9. THE TEST TANK IS PROCESSED WITH SPECIAL 316 STAINLESS STEEL, AND THE TOP IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPECIAL COVER FOR HIGH TRANSPARENT PROTECTION;
10. THE WASHER BELOW THE SAMPLE IS MADE OF HIGH-QUALITY PTFE MATERIAL AFTER SPECIAL PROCESSING;
11. SQUARE METAL BLOCK NET: OPEN SPACE ≥50°%; BENDING ≤5mm AT 30KPA;
12. INSTRUMENT TIME CONTROL ACCURACY ≤01 SECONDS;
13. THE SHELL OF THE INSTRUMENT IS MADE OF HIGH-QUALITY METAL BAKING PAINT, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL AND GENEROUS.
14. EQUIPPED WITH PRINTER INTERFACE, CONNECTED TO THE PRINTER CAN DIRECTLY PRINT DATA REPORTS.
TECHNICAL PARAMETERS:
1. SAMPLE SIZE: 75mm X 75mm
2. TEST AREA: 28.26 SQUARE CENTIMETERS
3. AIR PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT RANGE (0.5 ~ 30) KPA
4. EXTERNAL SIZE: 500mm X 500mm X 500mm (L X W X H)
5. WEIGHT OF THE INSTRUMENT: 40 KG
6. POWER SUPPLY: AC220V, 50HZ,SCOPE OF SUPPLY: 1. ONE MAIN MACHINE; 2. TWO PTFE GASKETS; 3. TWO ORDINARY WASHERS; 4. ONE METAL BLOCKING NET; 5. A SET OF SPECIAL LOCKING TOOLS; 6. ONE HIGH-QUALITY SILENT AIR PUMP, [NOTE: SAFETY PRODUCTION LICENSE IS NOT INCLUDED]. 7. EQUIPPED WITH PRINTER INTERFACE; 8. ONE SAMPLE TEMPLATE; 9. ONE PRODUCT CERTIFICATE; 10. ONE COPY OF PRODUCT OPERATION MANUAL.
OPERATION INSTRUCTION:
INSERT THE AIR PUMP OUTPUT PIPE INTO THE OIL AND WATER SEPARATOR OF THE INSTRUMENT AS REQUIRED (PRESSURE 0.1-0.3MPA).
AFTER SWITCHING ON THE POWER, THE STARTUP INTERFACE (NAME OF THE DEVICE) IS DISPLAYED.
PRESS THE "ENTER" BUTTON TO ENTER THE TEST INTERFACE, AS SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING FIGURE:
CLICK "SETTING” BUTTON, GET INTO PARAMETER SETTING SCREEN, AS BELOW THIS SCREEN CAN SET THE SYSTEM TIME, DATE AND TESTING TIME, AFTER SETTING, CLICK "SAVE” BUTTON TO KEEP THE SETTING DATA. (NOTE: IT REQUIRES 5 MINUTES IN THE STANDARD)
QUANTITY: 1
Learn More - T-6552 MASK AIR TIGHTNESS TESTER
REFERENCE NUMBER: T-6552
MASK AIR TIGHTNESS TESTER
MASK AIR TIGHTNESS TESTER
HOW TO CHOOSE A HIGH-QUALITY MASK NOT ONLY DEPENDS ON THE FILTERING EFFICIENCY OF THEMASK, BUT ALSO TO CONFIRM WHETHER THE MASK IS COMPLETELY IN CONTACT WITH THE FACE, OTHERWISE AEROSOL PARTICLES SUCH AS GERMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILTERED BY THE MASK WILL BE INHALED FROM THE INADEQUATE ADHESION. THEREFORE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CHECK THE WEARING STATUS OF THE MASK. THE EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN COUNTRIES HAVE LISTED THE APPLICATION TEST OF THE MASK AS A STRONG INSPECTION ITEM.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE N95 MASK IS ONE OF 9 TYPES OF PARTICULATE PROTECTIVE MASKS CERTIFIED BY NIOSH (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH). "N" INDICATES OIL RESISTANCE."95" INDICATES THAT THE PARTICLE CONCENTRATION IN THE MASK IS MORE THAN 95% LOWER THAN THAT OF THE PARTICLES OUTSIDE THE MASK WHEN EXPOSED TO THE SPECIFIED NUMBER OF SPECIAL TEST PARTICLES. N95 IS NOT A SPECIFIC PRODUCT NAME, AS LONG AS IT MEETS THE N95 STANDARD AND PASSES THE NIOSH REVIEW, IT CAN BE CALLED "N95 MASK".
N95 TYPE MASKS, IN ADDITION TO THE FILTERING EFFICIENCY OF THE MASKS, THE CLOSENESS OF THE MASKS TO THE FACE IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF THE MASKS. THE SUITABILITY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASKS FOR THE HUMAN FACE VARIES GREATLY.
THEREFORE, BEFORE USING A MASK, THE SUITABILITY OF THE MASK SHOULD BE CHECKED FIRST. DURING THETIGHTNESS TEST OF THE WEARER'S FACE, ENSURE THAT AIR CAN PASS IN AND OUT THROUGH THE MASK WHEN IT IS CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE FACE. THE MASK TIGHTNESS TESTER CAN QUICKLY COMPLETE THE TIGHTNESS TEST OF RESPIRATORS SUCH AS MASKS TO ENSURE THAT IT PROVIDES GOOD PROTECTION PERFORMANCE. IT CONFORMS TO THE CHINESE RESPIRATOR STANDARD GB2626-2019 STANDARD, OSHA / CSA STANDARD AND CHINA GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF QUALITY SUPERVISION, INSPECTION AND QUARANTINE "GB 19083-2010 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAL PROTECTIVE MASKS" JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE CHINA NATIONAL STANDARDIZATION ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE.
ADHESION (SUITABILITY TEST): THE MASK DESIGN SHOULD PROVIDE GOOD ADHESION. THE OVERALL FIT FACTOR OF THE MASK SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 100. THIS TEST THE REQUIREMENTS WERE FORMALLY IMPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 1, 2011.
MASK TIGHTNESS TESTER USES CNC TECHNOLOGY, SUITABLE FOR 100 / 99 / P3 / HEPASERIES MASKS DISPOSABLE FILTER MASK TIGHTNESS TEST (INCLUDING DISPOSABLE DUST MASKS SUCH ASN95 / N90 / KN95), GAS MASKS / BREATHING MASKS, ADHESIVENESS TEST OF HALF-MASK AND FULL FACE MASK, INDEPENDENT OR COMPUTER CONTROL, FIVE LANGUAGES SWITCH DISPLAY, EQUIPPED WITH MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION INTERFACES (USB, ETHERNET), WIFI CAN ALSO BE ENABLED, ONE COMPUTERCAN CONTROL FOUR INSTRUMENTS AT THE SAME TIME.PARAMETER:CONCENTRATION RANGE: 0 ~ 100,000 / CM3GRAIN DIAMETER: 0.02 ~ 1.0^MFLOW: SAMPLING FLOW: 100CM3 / MINTOTAL FLOW: 700CM3 / MINCLOSENESS COEFFICIENT TEST: DIRECT TEST (COUT/ CIN)LIQUOR: 99.5% + ISOPROPANOL (ANALYTICAL GRADE)DISPLAY: 7INCH TRUE COLOR TOUCH SCREENCOMMUNICATION INTERFACE: USB X 3 (HOST X 2,DEVICE X 1) ETHERNET INTERFACE X1CONNECTION PORT: ENVIRONMENT PORT, SAMPLING PORTWIFI: EQUIPPEDLANGUAGES: ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, CHINESEFLOW CONTROL: SENSOR CONTROLPC CONTROLLABLE OPERATION: ONE COMPUTER CAN CONTROL 4 INSTRUMENTS AT THE SAME TIMEDATA OUTPUT FORMAT: MICROSOFT EXCELWORKING TEMPERATURE: 15 ~ 35 °CPOWER SOURCE: AC 110 —240V 50 / 60HZAPPEARANCE SIZE: 208 X 117 X 262MMWEIGHT: 2.1KGACCESSORIES: ALCOHOL REAGENT BOTTLE, PROTECTIVE CAP, REAGENT STICK, ZERO-COUNT FILTER, STRAINER, SAMPLING TUBE, INSTRUCTION MANUAL, AC ADAPTER, TOUCH SCREEN PEN, OPTIONAL COMPUTER.OPTIONAL: TEST KIT FOR TIGHTNESS COEFFICIENTIN ORDER TO PREVENT INFECTION AT THE MEDICAL SITE AND DURING LABOR WORK, WORKERS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM INHALABLE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN THE WORKPLACE, AND RESPIRATORS SUCH AS MASKS MUST BE WORN DURING WORK.SELECT A RESPIRATOR, SUCH AS A MASK, BASED ON YOUR FACIAL FEATURES, AND EVALUATE THE TIGHTNESS BETWEEN THE RESPIRATOR, SUCH AS A MASK AND THE FACE, TO CHECK WHETHER THERE ARE GAPS OR LEAKS THAT PUT WORKERS AT RISK. THE MASK TIGHTNESS TESTER CAN QUICKLY COMPLETE THE TIGHTNESS TEST OF RESPIRATORS SUCH AS MASKS TO ENSURE THAT IT PROVIDES GOOD PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE. SECURITY EXPERTS WILL ALSO DEVELOP PROTECTION SCHEMES AND STANDARD REGULATIONS BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE TIGHTNESS TEST. WIDELY USED IN HOSPITALS, MANUFACTURING PLANTS, PRODUCTION SITES, FIREFIGHTING WORKPLACES AND OTHER OFFICIAL TESTING AGENCIES.MASK TIGHTNESS TESTER FEATURES:• QUANTITATIVE TIGHTNESS TEST FOR RESPIRATORS SUCH AS MASKS (QNFT)• APPLICABLE TO 100/99 / P3 / HEPA SERIES MASK DISPOSABLE FILTER MASK TIGHTNESS TEST (INCLUDING N95 / N90 / KN95 AND OTHER DISPOSABLE DUST MASKS)• ADHESION TEST OF HALF MASK AND FULL FACE MASK• GAS MASK TIGHTNESS TEST• PAPR MASK TIGHTNESS TEST• SCBA RESPIRATOR MASK TIGHTNESS TEST• 7INCH TRUE COLOR TOUCH SCREEN• INDEPENDENT OR COMPUTER CONTROLLED• USING CNC TECHNOLOGY• ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, CHINESE LANGUAGE SWITCHING DISPLAY• COMPLIES WITH US OSHA STANDARDS, CANADIAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION (CSA) GUIDELINES, INCLUDING N95• EQUIPPED WITH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION INTERFACES (USB, ETHERNET), AND CAN ALSO ENABLE WIFI• ONE COMPUTER CAN CONTROL FOUR INSTRUMENTS AT THE SAME TIMEQUANTITY: 1 - J-2813 HANDHELD AIRBORNE PARTICLE COUNTER, MODEL 3000
FEATURES
0.3 - 25 µm SENSITIVITY
FLOW RATE: 1.0 CFM (28.3 LPM)
UP TO 8 CHANNELS OF SIMULTANEOUS COUNT DATA
21 CFR PART 11 COMPLIANT SECURE USB FLASH TRANSFER
EXTREME LIFE LASER DIODE TECHNOLOGY >20-YEAR MTTF
5.7 INCH COLOR TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY
THERMAL PRINTER
STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION
ETHERNET/RS485/MODBUS, 4x 4-20mA ANALOG INPUTS
3,000 RECORD DATA STORAGE
50-RECORD CONFIGURABLE RECIPE DATABASE
REPORT WIZARD: FS-209E, ISO-14644-1 & EU GMP ANNEX 1
2 YEAR WARRANTYSTANDARD 6 CHANNELS: 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 µm , 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 25.0 µm
STANDARD 8 CHANNELS: 0.3,0.5,0.7,1.0,3.0,5.0,7.0,10.0 µm
OPTIONAL 8 CHANNELS: OPTIONAL BETWEEN 0.3 AND 25.0 µm
COUNTING EFFICIENCY: 50%@0.3µm; 100% FOR PARTICLES > 0.45 µm (PER ISO 21501-4)
CONCETRATION LIMITS: 1,000,000 PARTICLES/FT3, (35,300,000/M3) @ 10% COINCIDENCE LOSS SUITABLE FOR ISO CLASSES 1-8 CLEANROOMS
DIMENSIONS: 9.5”(L) x 8.0”(W) x 10.2”(H) (24.13 x 20.32 x 25.9 cm)
WEIGHT: WITH BATTERY: 13.95 LBS (6.33 KG), WITHOUT BATTERY 12.35 LBS (5.6 KG)INCLUDES
OPERATING MANUAL WITH CD, LMS EXPRESS TRANSFER SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS, ISOKINETIC SAMPLE PROBE, TRIPOD, TUBING, PURGE FILTER, POWER CABLES, SPARE FUSE, PRINTER, PRINTER PAPERLEAD TIME: 1 TO 2 WEEKS FROM RECEIPT OF ORDER
QUANTITY: 1
Learn More - D-2388 What’s the Best Material for a Mask?
Federal health officials have now recommended that we cover our faces with fabric during the coronavirus pandemic. But what material offers the most protection?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a no-sew mask pattern using a bandanna and a coffee filter as well as a video on making masks using rubber bands and folded fabrics found at home.
While a simple face covering can reduce the spread of coronavirus by blocking outgoing germs from coughs or sneezes of an infected person, experts say there is more variation in how much homemade masks might protect the wearer from incoming germs, depending on the fit and quality of the material used.
Scientists around the country have taken it upon themselves to identify everyday materials that do a better job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored well, as did vacuum cleaner bags, layers of 600-count pillowcases and fabric similar to flannel pajamas. Stacked coffee filters had medium scores. Scarves and bandanna material had the lowest scores, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
If you don’t have any of the materials that were tested, a simple light test can help you decide whether a fabric is a good candidate for a mask.
“Hold it up to a bright light,” said Dr. Scott Segal, chairman of anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist Health who recently studied homemade masks. “If light passes really easily through the fibers and you can almost see the fibers, it’s not a good fabric. If it’s a denser weave of thicker material and light doesn’t pass through it as much, that’s the material you want to use.”
Researchers say it’s important to remember that lab studies are conducted under perfect conditions with no leaks or gaps in the mask, but the test methods give us a way to compare materials. And while the degree of filtration for some homemade masks seems low, most of us — who are staying home and practicing social distancing in public — don’t need the high level of protection required for medical workers. More important, any face covering is better than none, especially if worn by a person who has the virus but doesn’t know it.
The biggest challenge of choosing a homemade mask material is to find a fabric that is dense enough to capture viral particles, but breathable enough that we can actually wear it. Some items being touted online promise high filtration scores, but the material would be unwearable.
Dressing Up for Work … at Home
Yang Wang, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, worked with his graduate students to study various combinations of layered materials — including both air filters and fabric. “You need something that is efficient for removing particles, but you also need to breathe,” said Dr. Wang, who last fall won an international award for aerosol research.To test everyday materials, scientists are using methods similar to those used to test medical masks, which everybody agrees should be saved for medical workers who are exposed to high doses of virus from seeing infected patients. The best medical mask — called the N95 respirator — filters out at least 95 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns. By comparison, a typical surgical mask — made using a rectangular piece of pleated fabric with elastic ear loops — has a filtration efficiency ranging from 60 to 80 percent.
Dr. Wang’s group tested two types of air filters. An allergy-reduction HVAC filter worked the best, capturing 89 percent of particles with one layer and 94 percent with two layers. A furnace filter captured 75 percent with two layers, but required six layers to achieve 95 percent. To find a filter similar to those tested, look for a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of 12 or higher or a microparticle performance rating of 1900 or higher.
The problem with air filters is that they potentially could shed small fibers that would be risky to inhale. So if you want to use a filter, you need to sandwich the filter between two layers of cotton fabric. Dr. Wang said one of his grad students made his own mask by following the instructions in the C.D.C. video, but adding several layers of filter material inside a bandanna.
Dr. Wang’s group also found that when certain common fabrics were used, two layers offered far less protection than four layers. A 600 thread count pillow case captured just 22 percent of particles when doubled, but four layers captured nearly 60 percent. A thick woolen yarn scarf filtered 21 percent of particles in two layers, and 48.8 percent in four layers. A 100 percent cotton bandanna did the worst, capturing only 18.2 percent when doubled, and just 19.5 percent in four layers.
The group also tested Brew Rite and Natural Brew basket-style coffee filters, which, when stacked in three layers, showed 40 to 50 percent filtration efficiency — but they were less breathable than other options.
If you are lucky enough to know a quilter, ask them to make you a mask. Tests performed at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., showed good results for homemade masks using quilting fabric. Dr. Segal, of Wake Forest Baptist Health, who led the study, noted that quilters tend to use high-quality, high-thread count cotton. The best homemade masks in his study were as good as surgical masks or slightly better, testing in the range of 70 to 79 percent filtration. Homemade masks that used flimsier fabric tested as low as 1 percent filtration, Dr. Segal said.
The best-performing designs were a mask constructed of two layers of high-quality, heavyweight “quilter’s cotton,” a two-layer mask made with thick batik fabric, and a double-layer mask with an inner layer of flannel and outer layer of cotton.
Bonnie Browning, executive show director for the American Quilter’s Society, said that quilters prefer tightly woven cottons and batik fabrics that stand up over time. Ms. Browning said most sewing machines can handle only two layers of fabric when making a pleated mask, but someone who wanted four layers of protection could wear two masks at a time.
Ms. Browning said she recently reached out to quilters on Facebook and heard from 71 people who have made a combined total of nearly 15,000 masks. “We quilters are very much in the thick of what’s going on with this,” said Ms. Browning, who lives in Paducah, Ky. “One thing most of us have is a stash of fabric.”
People who don’t sew could try a folded origami mask, created by Jiangmei Wu, assistant professor of interior design at Indiana University. Ms. Wu, who is known for her breathtaking folded artwork, said she began designing a folded mask out of a medical and building material called Tyvek, as well as vacuum bags, after her brother in Hong Kong, where mask wearing is common, suggested it. (DuPont, the maker of Tyvek, said in a statement that Tyvek is intended for medical apparel, not masks.) The folded mask pattern is free online, as is a video demonstrating the folding process. In tests at Missouri University and University of Virginia, scientists found that vacuum bags removed between 60 percent and 87 percent of particles. But some brands of vacuum bags may contain fiberglass or are harder to breathe through than other materials, and shouldn’t be used. Ms. Wu used a bag by EnviroCare Technologies, which has said it does not use fiberglass in its paper and synthetic cloth bags.
“I wanted to create an alternative for people who don’t sew,” said Ms. Wu, who said she is talking to various groups to find other materials that will be effective in a folded mask. “Given the shortage of all kinds of materials, even vacuum bags might run out.”
The scientists who conducted the tests used a standard of 0.3 microns because that is the measure used by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for medical masks.
Linsey Marr, a Virginia Tech aerosol scientist and an expert in the transmission of viruses, said the certification method for respirators and HEPA filters focuses on 0.3 microns because particles around that size are the hardest to catch. While it seems counterintuitive, particles smaller than 0.1 microns are actually easier to catch because they have a lot of random motion that makes them bump into the filter fibers, she said.
“Even though coronavirus is around 0.1 microns, it floats around in a wide range of sizes, from around 0.2 to several hundred microns, because people shed the virus in respiratory fluid droplets that also contain lots of salts and proteins and other things,” said Dr. Marr. “Even if the water in the droplets fully evaporates, there’s still a lot of salt and proteins and other gunk that stays behind as solid or gel-like material. I think 0.3 microns is still useful for guidance because the minimum filtration efficiency will be somewhere around this size, and it’s what NIOSH uses.”
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