A laboratory-based study examining the properties of silk fabric to evaluate its potential as a protective barrier for personal protective equipment and as a functional material for face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic
Fig 1
Information on the materials tested in this study.
‡ = Images with adjusted contrast and brightness (+20% brightness/-20% contrast) to emphasize the material’s weave structure;† = Images taken on a red background to accentuate the material’s color. Microstructure images were taken using a stereomicroscope with built-in digital camera (Leica, Model EZ4 W). Table contains information on the composition, microstructure, thickness (mm; mean ± SEM), mass-void determined porosity (%; mean ± SEM), thread diameter (mm; range), and supplier information. Black or white bars on microstructure images are scale bars (= 1.0 mm). ASIN = Amazon Standard Identification Number; UPC = Universal Product Code. Information on the composition of each material is based on how each was marketed. Melt blown materials (e.g., surgical masks) are constructed with polymers (e.g., polypropylene). Each material had three separate swatches tested for porosity (%) and thickness (mm), and thread diameter range was measured from five randomly chosen threads from a single optical image. In the Porosity category, a value of not applicable (NA) was given to materials that cannot logistically be fashioned into face coverings (i.e., cocoons). Similarly, NA values were given to materials that had no actual thread weaves (i.e., only fibers present) precluding measurement, in the thread diameter category.