Textile outperforms N95s in face mask tests

According to AKAS Textiles, a recent study titled “Effectiveness of Common Fabrics to Block Aqueous Aerosols of Virus-like Nanoparticles,” shows that in an aqueous media under positive pressure of 20 Kilo Pascal, stimulating the sneeze or cough found that the top performer face mask was one constructed using fabrics manufactured by AKAS, a Pennsylvania-based textile manufacturer. 

The study by Northeastern University’s Department of Chemical Engineering tested more than 70 different common fabric combinations and masks, including the N95 respirator, for their ability to block the transmission of virus-like nanoparticles. The mask with the best filtration was made of layers of ProCool® Performance Fabrics combined with Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple fabric. The combination of these fabrics tested 72 percent more effective than the N95 respirator. 

The study was published recently in ACS Nano, a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Chemical Society. The study was done at 14 Liters per minute air flow, which is more than twice the human ventilation, at rest.

ProCool® performance fabrics are two-sided fabrics which are inter-knitted to provide filtration. The special wicking fibers in it help in managing moisture. Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple is made with surface layers of wicking Stay Dry fibers with an innermost core of dense cellulosic fibers, which work as the filter. This three-dimensional in-house engineered pattern provides filtration and keeps the mouth area dry.