Medical masks generally adopt a multi-layer structure, referred to as SMS structure: a single spunbond layer (S) on both sides, and a single or multiple meltblown layer (M) in the middle. The best material for the meltblown layer is the meltblown layer. Spray cloth.

The main material that brings the virus filtering effect to the mask is the middle M layer-meltblown non-woven fabric.

Meltblown cloth is made of a polypropylene material called high-melt index fiber. It is a kind of ultra-fine electrostatic fiber cloth, which can effectively use static electricity to absorb virus dust and droplets. This is also an important reason why masks can filter viruses. (If you don’t know whether your mask is anti-virus, just look at whether there is a melt blown cloth in the mask)

In fact, these three layers are all non-woven fabrics, the raw materials are all polypropylene, but the production process is different. Among them, the fiber diameter of the spunbond layer on the inner and outer sides is relatively thick, about 20 microns; the fiber diameter of the melt blown layer in the middle is only 2 microns, which is made of a kind of polypropylene material called high melt index fiber. It is fragile and cannot be washed with water or sprayed with alcohol. Even if it is wet and then dried, it will damage the fiber and cause loopholes. Viruses will pass through the loopholes, and the mask will lose its protective ability.

Therefore, if you want to recycle the mask, you can't steam or bake it at high temperature, and you can't spray it with alcohol. The best way is to hang it in a ventilated place.
Melt blown fabric