| Abstrakt: |
In this study, it was aimed to assess oil absorbency properties besides pliability of polypropylene substrate materials used to produce respirator N95 masks with samples impregnated in Aloe Vera and NaCl salt solutions. Salt solutions of samples were 1, 5 and 10 weight %. Aloe Vera content was kept constant as 33 wt % of mixtures in which sample was impregnated. Aloe Vera impregnated samples were better to absorb glycerol compared to control samples in sinking tests. Polypropylene samples impregnated into Aloe Vera added salt solutions outperformed oil absorbency of Aloe Vera impregnated samples with shorter absorption time intervals during sinking. Wicking tests with droplets of glycerol and the areas of droplet capillary absorption showed that control samples had better oil wicking properties, but still all impregnated samples showed degrees of capillary intake of glycerol droplet during wicking tests. Masks need to ensure a stable breathing area and also a certain amount of flexibility. Bending length test results proved Aloe Vera impregnated respirator substrates had shorter bending length, as a result better pliability, compared to control samples. In conclusion, the property of absorbing glycerol is a sign of hydrophobicity which is good for preventing human body fluids from sticking on the fibrous materials such as wound dressing or facemasks touching wounds that are on their healing process. The hydrophobic characteristics of the N95 mask fabric might be a good candidate for patients that have to wear masks over some wounded body part as hydrophobic wound dressings are good candidates to heal wounds with thick exudates which are coagulation of proteins in the wounds and have hydrophobic characteristics. Increase of pliability for N95 respirator substrates might give freedom to give shape to the mask and increase face fitness of the respirator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
