Material Filter Testing


Quick & dirty results by 2 DIY homebodies.

Details on the methodologies of the breathability test rig is here & the particle filtration test is here.

Material in order of filtration capability

Shows particle filtration across 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, & 10 um.

Material Filter Testing

Material Performance by Type

Best viewed on a desktop or via the Google Sheet app.

The more negative the breathability number is, the harder it is to breathe through.

3M's N95 is at -31, so masks more negative than -31 is harder to breathe through than 3M's N95 mask.

Material Filter Testing

It's best to look at the data in terms of relative performance due to our DIY home lab setup.

It seems breathability can be increased by allowing slightly more surface area/volume inside the mask.

The material's particle filtration capability is a more important factor.

Details on the methodologies for the breathability test rig is here & the particle filtration is here.