Thank you for following our video series on quality testing 3-ply, FFP2, N95, and KN95 respirator mask, this is the sixth part of this series. In this final part, we will go over additional characteristics of meltblown fabric that can help us distinguish between high quality masks versus lower quality imitations.

Click to learn about the high-quality, Southern Nuclear KN95 masks found in this video series: [ Ссылка ]

If you're just joining us now, we have gone over a lot of common methods for home testing 3-ply, FFP2, N95, and KN95 respirator masks in the first 3 parts of this series. Watch the videos below for more information about each test method:

Part 1 - Water leak test: [ Ссылка ]
Part 2 - Air blow test: [ Ссылка ]
Part 3 - Burn / melt test: [ Ссылка ]

Although these common tests give us some insight into the quality of the masks, the results are inconclusive. We then continued investigating into how we can tell if a respirator mask is real or fake through various inspection methods:

Part 4 - KN95 Basic Inspection Testing: [ Ссылка ]
Part 5 - Meltblown Fabric Thickness & Consistency: [ Ссылка ]

By checking the simple details such as the strength of the ear loops, we can get an insight into whether a mask is made in a production line with proper quality controls. We then focused on inspecting the meltblown fabric within a mask. This is the active layer that filters the fine particulates. In this video, we'll continue looking into more characteristics of high quality meltblown fabric.

REAL VS FAKE KN95 MASKS

The concept of real and fake respirator masks is deceiving because no one really defined what is real or fake. Based on our experience, sellers of respirator masks routinely emphasized the presence of a meltblown fabric layer inside a mask. If it contains a meltblown layer, then it's a real respirator mask. This concept is incorrect.

From our research on this topic, it is very difficult to quality control the filtration rate of meltblown fabric during production. It requires very expensive machinery, experience, and quality control protocols to maintain consistent, high efficient meltblown fabric.

You will find most 3-ply, FFP2, N95, and KN95 mask to have a meltblown fabric layer. Instead of focusing on wether a mask has meltblown fabric inside, the question is wether the meltblown fabric inside is good enough to filter 95% of 0.3 micron particulates.

MELTBLOWN FABRIC STENGTH

Once you've located the meltblown fabric layer, try pulling it apart with your hands. If it is easily torn apart, this is low weight, low grade meltblown fabric and should not be trusted. Watch the video and see how the meltblown fabric in the NANHE (Southern Nuclear) KN95 mask is very sturdy compared to the other generic, OEM respirator masks.

MELTBLOWN FABRIC STATIC CHARGE

Another unique characteristic of meltblown fabric is static charge. Although good quality meltblown fabric can catch the micron-sized particulates, the added static charge helps to hold or "glue" the particulates in place.

As adding static charge to fabric is quite easy, low grade meltblown fabric will likely have static charge. While this is the case, we still suggest testing the meltblown fabric layer for charge as this will give additional proof that the layer is truly meltblown fabric.

CONCLUSION

This video series contains a lot of information about how to test 3-ply, FFP2, N95, and KN95 respirator masks. Unfortunately, through our research and trials, we did not find any fool proof way of testing if a respirator mask can filter it marketed filtration rate, for instance, a KN95 masks should filter 95% and above of 0.3 micron particulates. This can only be accomplished in a professional laboratory.

Although we cannot get 100% confirmation about a masks actual filtration rate, we can get a good glimpse into the quality of a respirator mask. You can try the common testing methods with water, air, and fire, however, keep in mind that these tests should not be used as conclusive results about whether a masks is real or fake, good or bad.

In addition to the suggested common tests, we dug deeper into how we can visually inspect the respirator masks looking for faults and flaws to show the respirator masks were possibly made in a substandard environment without proper quality controls. Sometimes the most apparent mistakes are hidden in plain sight.

Lastly, we discussed characteristics of high quality meltblown fabric including its thickness, consistency, strength and static charge. The meltblown fabric layer is the most important part of a respirator mask, inspecting this layer will give us the most insight into whether a mask will properly filter more than 95% of particulates for FFP2, N95, and KN95 respirator masks.

Good luck on any further research on this subject. Stay safe!

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