From Bench to Breath: Material Integrity and Performance of Filtering Facepiece Respirators and Surgical Masks After Multi-Cycle Dry-Heat Reprocessing.

ABSTRACT: Dry heat inactivates pathogens on personal protective equipment without chemical residues, but its effects on material integrity and performance across multiple reprocessing cycles have not been comprehensively assessed. We evaluated five filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) models and three surgical mask (SM) models after one, two, and three cycles of dry heat (80 °C, 90 min). We measured fabric and strap tensile properties as indicators of mechanical durability [Young's modulus (E), yield strength (σ_y), ultimate tensile strength (σ_UTS), and strain at failure (ε_f)]. We also assessed particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and airflow resistance (breathability). Under the methods applied herein, all untreated SMs and FFRs performed

SUBMITTER: Hosen MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12843907 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature