ASTM F1862/F1862M-17 Standard Test Method for the Resistance of Medical Face Masks to Penetration by Synthetic Blood (Horizontal Projection of Constant Volume at a Known Velocity)

The test method defined in the ASTM F1862/F1862M-17 standard published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is intended to evaluate the resistance of medical face masks to penetration by the effect of small volume of high-velocity synthetic blood flow. Success or failure determinations of the medical face mask are based on visual detection of synthetic blood penetration.

The test method described does not apply to all forms or conditions of bloodborne pathogen exposure. Users of the test method must review face exposure modes and evaluate the suitability of this test method for their particular application.

The ASTM F1862 test method primarily addresses the performance of materials or certain material structures used in the manufacture of medical face masks. This test method does not take into account the following factors:

• Performance of the design, manufacture or interfaces of the medical face mask
• The potential to affect the overall protection offered by the medical face mask and its operation in terms of filtration efficiency and pressure drop

In order to determine these features, ASTM F2101 and MIL-M-36954C standards are applied.

The ASTM F1862 test method also does not address the breathability of medical face mask materials or other properties affecting the ease of breathing through a medical face mask. This test method evaluates medical face masks as protective clothing. Furthermore, this test method does not assess the performance of medical face masks in preventing airborne exposure pathways or the penetration of aerosolized body fluids accumulating on the mask.

Briefly, the test method described in the ASTM F1862/F1862M-17 standard is a test method for evaluating medical face mask resistance to synthetic blood penetration, which is useful in establishing claims regarding penetration resistance performance of medical face masks and ranking their performance. In order to make claims regarding the performance of medical face masks, the specific conditions under which testing is performed must be described.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides standard testing services for the resistance of medical face masks to penetration with synthetic blood within the scope of ASTM F1862/F1862M-17 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment. .