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

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Tests and Specifications

Virtual Tour

Lab Capabilities Download

If you wish to use the pilot equipment or have some testing done, you will need to have a Fabrication & Testing Agreement in place.

NWI Fabrication Testing Services Agreement

If you have questions about NWI’s filtration testing services, please email us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.

Photo gallery

NWI Filtration Testing Lab

The Filtration Testing Lab at The Nonwovens Institute. — NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab offers a full suite of filtration testing equipment.

The Filtration Testing Lab is also ISO 9001 accredited and adheres to a strict set of Standard Operating Procedures. — The Filtration Testing Lab is also ISO 9001 accredited and operates with strict adherence to standard operating procedures.

Fractional filtration efficiency tester for measuring the efficiency of filter media for different particle sizes.

TSI 8130 A filtration efficiency tester at The Nonwovens Institute — TSI 8130 A for filtration efficiency and pressure drop.

Filtration efficiency tester for poly-disperse aerosol generation method.

Flammability Tester 16 CFR 1610 at The Nonwovens Institute — Flammability Tester 16 CFR 1610

A researcher prepares a facemask for testing in NWI's Filtration Testing Lab. — A researcher prepares a facemask for testing in NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab.

Student researcher running a test on the TSI 8130 A.

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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.