Types of Surgical Face Masks

1. Types of medical face masks

The medical masks we see daily can generally be divided into medical protective masks, surgical masks, ordinary medical masks, and general degreased gauze masks. The first three are medical devices and are included in the management of medical devices, and general degreased gauze masks are not managed as medical devices.

Medical protective masks need to meet the standard of Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks. Under the condition of air flow (85±2) L/min, the filtration efficiency of sodium chloride aerosol with aerodynamic median diameter (0.24±0.06) μm is not less than 95%, which is in line with N95 (or FFP2) and above. Under the above-mentioned flow conditions, the suction resistance does not exceed 343.2Pa (35mmH₂O).

Surgical masks need to meet the standard of Technical Requirements for Surgical Masks. Under the condition of air flow (30±2) L/min, the filtration efficiency of sodium chloride aerosol with aerodynamic median diameter (0.24±0.06) μm is not less than 30%; bacterial filtration efficiency under specified conditions, the filtration efficiency of Staphylococcus aureus aerosol with an average particle diameter of (3±0.3) μm is not less than 95%, and the respiratory resistance is under the conditions of filtration efficiency and flow rate. The air resistance does not exceed 49Pa, and the expiratory resistance does not exceed 29.4Pa.

Ordinary medical masks need to meet the standard of Disposable Medical Masks, generally lack the filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria, or the filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria are lower than surgical masks and medical protective masks, which are suitable for general protection of medical staff.

2. Standard of surgical face masks

Recently, we often see a lot of masks marked with different letters, such as KN95, N90, FFP2 fabric. So what do they represent?

According to the minimum filtration efficiency of the filter material, under the specified conditions, the mask body can filter out particulate matter. The larger the value, the higher the protection level and the greater the respiratory resistance. Masks can be divided into three levels, the lowest filtration efficiency of 95% is 95%, the lowest filtration efficiency of 99 is 99%, and the lowest filtration efficiency of 100 is 99.97%.

According to the standard classification, the N marked on the mask represents the American standard, FFP is the European standard, and KN is the Chinese standard. 

As one of the professional face mask fabric manufacturers, SENCI can provide you with different mask fabrics that meet various standards. Welcome to inquire.