PeerJ | |
Polylactic acid as a suitable material for 3D printing of protective masks in times of COVID-19 pandemic | |
article | |
Eva Vaňková1  Petra Kašparová1  Josef Khun1  Anna Machková1  Jaroslav Julák1  Michal Sláma3  Jan Hodek4  Lucie Ulrychová4  Jan Weber4  Klára Obrová5  Karin Kosulin5  Thomas Lion5  Vladimír Scholtz1  | |
[1] Department of Physics and Measurements, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague;Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital;Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove;Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences;Children’s Cancer Research Institute;Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna | |
关键词: COVID-19; Disinfection; Polylactic acid; Protective masks; SARS-CoV-2; 3D printing; Reusable material; Virological testing; Ethanol; Human adenovirus; | |
DOI : 10.7717/peerj.10259 | |
学科分类:社会科学、人文和艺术(综合) | |
来源: Inra | |
【 摘 要 】
A critical lack of personal protective equipment has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Polylactic acid (PLA), a polyester made from renewable natural resources, can be exploited for 3D printing of protective face masks using the Fused Deposition Modelling technique. Since the possible high porosity of this material raised questions regarding its suitability for protection against viruses, we have investigated its microstructure using scanning electron microscopy and aerosol generator and photometer certified as the test system according to the standards EN 143 and EN 149. Moreover, the efficiency of decontaminating PLA surfaces by conventional chemical disinfectants including 96% ethanol, 70% isopropanol, and a commercial disinfectant containing 0.85% sodium hypochlorite has been determined. We confirmed that the structure of PLA protective masks is compact and can be considered a sufficient barrier protection against particles of a size corresponding to microorganisms including viruses. Complete decontamination of PLA surfaces from externally applied Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and SARS-CoV-2 was achieved using all disinfectants tested, and human adenovirus was completely inactivated by sodium hypochlorite-containing disinfectant. Natural contamination of PLA masks worn by test persons was decontaminated easily and efficiently by ethanol. No disinfectant caused major changes to the PLA surface properties, and the pore size did not change despite severe mechanical damage of the surface. Therefore, PLA may be regarded as a suitable material for 3D printing of protective masks during the current or future pandemic crises.
【 授权许可】
CC BY
【 预 览 】
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