Meltblown Fabric Tests - Protective Gloves (ISO 21420)

The main features of Meltblown fabrics (meltblown nonwoven fabrics) are:

• Random fiber routing
• Low-medium mesh strength gaining strength from mechanical entanglement and frictional forces
• Generally high opacity (not being transparent)
• Fiber diameter typically 0,5-30 μm, but typically 2-7 μm
• Basic weight 8-350 g / m2, but typically 20-200 g / m2
• Microfibers provide high surface area for good insulation and filtration properties
• Stratification of the structure and increase in the number of layers with the basis weight in meltblown networks

In addition to their strong properties, meltblown materials also have flaws. For example, ringing occurs due to uncontrolled turbulence in the air flow and the movement of fibers during and after laying. Shrinkage occurs due to extremely high temperatures or very low polymer molecular weight. In addition, it becomes volatile due to very severe blowing conditions.

Meltblown materials are essentially isotropic. So the network structure is uniform in all directions. Therefore, if desired, the fiber direction in the web can be bent with the selected processing conditions. The efficiency of polypropylene has a noticeable effect on the physical properties of the resulting networks. As its volume increases, so does the density. In addition, the average fiber diameter can be controlled by the specific resin used and the selected processing conditions.

These features and conditions broaden the field of meltblown nonwoven applications. Medical fabrics are at the top of these application areas. The use of meltblown non-woven materials is increasing in the production of disposable gowns, covers, sterilization materials, sanitary products and many other medical textile products. This includes protective gloves and surgical gloves.

EN 420, a European standard, was first published to explain the general requirements and test methods of protective gloves. DahAfter that, this standard was canceled and instead of it, ISO 21420 standard was published by the International Standards Organization (ISO). In our country, this standard has been published by the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) with the following title: TS EN ISO 21420 Protective gloves - General conditions and test methods.

This standard covers protective gloves produced from all kinds of textile materials, including meltblown materials. The aim is to ensure that these gloves do not harm the user and are used safely and comfortably.

Our organization, among numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, within the framework of national and international standards, to the demanding health institutions and manufacturers, within the scope of meltblown fabric testing services, in accordance with the ISO 21420 standard, protective gloves provides testing services.