RESUMEN
A key factor in effective protection against airborne hazards, i.e., biological and nonbiological aerosols, vapors, and gases, is a good face fit of respiratory protective devices (RPDs). Equally important is the comfort of use, which may encourage or discourage users from donning RPDs. The objective of the work was to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams for use in RPD seals. The obtained foams were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Measurements also involved gel fraction, apparent density, air permeability, elastic recovery time, compression set, rebound resilience, and sweat uptake. The results were discussed in the context of modifications to the foam formulation: the isocyanate index (INCO) in the range of 0.6-0.9 and the blowing agent content in the range of 1.2-3.0 php. FTIR analysis revealed a higher level of urea groups with increasing water content in the formulation. Higher INCO and water content levels also led to lower onset temperatures of thermal degradation and higher glass-transition temperatures of the soft phase. A decrease in apparent density and an increase in mean pore sizes of the foams with increasing INCO and water content levels was observed. Functional parameters (air permeability, elastic recovery time, compression set, rebound resilience, and sweat uptake) were also found to be satisfactory at lower INCO and water content levels.
RESUMEN
Consistent and proper use of respiratory protective devices (RPD) is one of the essential actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to airborne hazards, i.e., biological and nonbiological aerosols, vapours, and gases. Proper fit of the facepiece and comfort properties of RPDs play a crucial role in effective protection and acceptance of RPDs by workers. The objective of the present paper was to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams for use in RPD seals characterised by proper elasticity, allowing for the enhancement of the device fit to the face and the capability of removing moisture from the skin in order to improve the comfort of RPD use. Moreover, it was pivotal to ensure the non-flammability of the foams, as well as a simultaneous reduction in their cytotoxicity. The obtained foams were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Measurements also involved gel fraction, apparent density, compression set, rebound resilience, wettability, flammability, and cytotoxicity. The results are discussed in the context of the impact of modifications to the foam formulation (i.e., flame-retardant type and content) on the desired foam properties. The test results set directions for future works aimed to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foams that could be applied in the design of respiratory protective devices.
RESUMEN
Determining a suitable and reliable end-of-lifetime criterion for O-ring seals is an important issue for long-term seal applications. Therefore, seal failure of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) and hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) O-rings aged in the compressed state at 125 °C and at 150 °C for up to 1.5 years was analyzed and investigated under static conditions, using both non-lubricated and lubricated seals. Changes of the material properties were analyzed with dynamic-mechanical analysis and permeability experiments. Indenter modulus measurements were used to investigate DLO effects. It became clear that O-rings can remain leak-tight under static conditions even when material properties have already degraded considerably, especially when adhesion effects are encountered. As a feasible and reliable end-of-lifetime criterion for O-ring seals under static conditions should include a safety margin for slight dimensional changes, a modified leakage test involving a small and rapid partial decompression of the seal was introduced that enabled determining a more realistic but still conservative end-of-lifetime criterion for an EPDM seal.