The Mask Synthetic Blood Penetration Tester is suitable for the resistance of masks to the penetration of synthetic blood under different levels of test pressure. The mask material was tested with synthetic blood under continuous applied pressure, and the penetration of synthetic blood on the material was visually checked. The tester addresses the performance of materials or certain material constructions used in medical face masks. The procedure is a laboratory test method for measuring the resistance of medical face masks to penetration by a splash of synthetic blood. The synthetic blood mixture is prepared with a red dye to aid in visual detection and a thickening agent to simulate the flow characteristics of blood. The synthetic blood will not always duplicate the polarity, and thus the wetting behavior and subsequent penetration, of real blood and other body fluids through protective clothing materials.
Features of the Mask Synthetic Blood Penetration Tester
- The instrument uses a gas source that can provide (20 ± 1) kPa pressure to continuously pressurize the sample without being limited by the space of the test site.
- The instrument has a pressure gauge to display the pressure, the pressure can be adjusted.
- Use pressurized medium: compressed air. The special stainless steel penetrating test slot ensures that the sample is firmly clamped, and the synthetic blood is prevented from splashing around.
- Square metal barrier net: open space ≥50%; bending ≤5mm at 20kPa.
- Digital display timer, accuracy ± 1 second.
- The instrument has a clamp that can generate 13.5Nm torque.
Technical Specifications
- Sample clamping device shall be provided to clamp the mask
- Blood spraying distance: 300 mm – 320 mm (Adjustable)
- Blood spraying speed: 400 to 700 cm/s (Adjustable)
- Stimulated synthetic blood pressure: 10.6 kPa, 16.0 kPa, 21.3 kPa
Testing Medical Masks
The test method of this machine involves a procedure for evaluating medical face mask resistance to synthetic blood penetration that is useful in establishing claims for penetration resistance performance of medical face masks and ranking their performance. However, this test method does not define acceptable levels of penetration resistance because this determination must be made by each responsible user organization based on its own specific application and conditions. Therefore, when using this test method to make claims for the performance of medical face masks, the specific conditions under which testing is conducted must be described.
Medical face masks are intended to resist liquid penetration from the splatter or splashing of blood, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. Many factors affect the wetting and penetration characteristics of body fluids, such as surface tension, viscosity, and polarity of the fluid, as well as the structure and relative hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of the materials and the design of the mask itself. This specification covers testing and requirements for materials used in the construction of medical face masks that are used in providing healthcare services such as surgery and patient care.