Filtration Testing Lab
The Nonwovens Institute offers a full range of test methods for nonwoven filter media from its Filtration Testing Lab on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University.
NWI has expanded its filtration testing capabilities to include services for facemasks and respirators, along with filter media for automotive, HEPA and HVAC applications, among others. Importantly, NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab is outfitted with equipment to perform ASTM F2299 testing for the measurement of Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) at 0.1 microns.
Testing equipment available in NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab includes:
- PALAS MFP-3000-S fractional aerosol filter test
- Two TSI 8130 machines for filtration efficiency
- Two TSI 3160 machines for filtration efficiency
- Two offline charging and discharging units
- Two environmental chambers for aging and conditioning masks and filter media
- Testing apparatus for the measurement of fluid resistance for surgical masks
- Prototyping facility to produce masks for testing purposes per NIOSH Standard Test Protocol
Why test your filter media at NWI?
- Decades of in-house material testing experience
- ISO 9001 accredited
- ASTM F2299 testing capability
- Strict adherence to GMP and SOPs
- Highly competitive pricing model
- Quick turnaround times
If you wish to use the pilot equipment or have some testing done, you will need to have a Fabrication & Testing Agreement in place.
If you have questions about NWI’s filtration testing services, please email us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.
Photo gallery
NWI Filtration Testing Lab
Tests and Specifications
| Filtration Testing | |
|---|---|
| Aerosol Filtration | |
| TSI AFT Model 3160 No. 1 | Filtration efficiency – Mono-disperse aerosol classification |
| TSI AFT Model 3160 No. 2 | Modified for ASTM F2299 |
| TSI AFT Model 8130A | Filtration efficiency – Poly-disperse aerosol generation method |
| Palas MFP-3000 | Fractional aerosol filter test for flat filter media and small filter elements |
| TSI Portacount Respirator Fit Test Model 8048 | Quantitative respirator fit testing |
| Static Charge | |
| Static Analysis System | Maps a grid of surface of static charge |
| Static Charge System | Negative and positive ion charge |
| Static Discharge System | Electrostatic discharge; ISO 16890-4 compliant |
| Blood Penetration | |
| Testex TN 139 Synthetic Blood Tester | Blood penetration resistance; ASTM F1862/F1862M compliant |
| Additional Capabilities | |
| Beckman Coulter Multisizer 4 | Benchtop analyzer for particle size distribution, volume & surface area |
| Espec BTL-344 Environmental Chamber | Temperature ranges of -20 C-180 C; humidity 10%-95% |
| 45-Degree Flammability Tester TF310 | Flammability test; 16 CFR 1610, ASTM D1230, ASTM F2100 |
If you have questions about NWI’s filtration testing services, please email us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.