Nanofiber Filter Masks

Announcing the Launch of the “Zexeed™ YAMASHIN Filter Mask™”

YAMASHI-FILTER CORP., one of the world’s leading filtration specialists, 
has now developed the next-generation face mask, the first of this kind,
by leveraging its proprietary technologies and 60 years of experience in the filtration field. 
This mask achieves all three of the new standards that we consider to be essential for masks: 
high filtration performance, secure sealing, and easy breathing.

We are currently taking preorders online (https://yamashin-filter.shop-pro.jp/). 
Sales at drug stores and other retail outlets throughout Japan start October 1.

Fit and sealing test

Zexeed is our flagship model meeting the three new standards that we consider essential for masks.

①High filtration performance (filtering capability)
By using the YAMASHIN Nano Filter™, realized by our proprietary polymer nanofiber mass-production technology, 99% of fine particles are captured by innumerable nano-level voids in the non-woven filtration material having a wadded structure of three dimensionally intertwined nano fibers. The capturing ratio of this material is almost equivalent to that of N95 masks used by medical professional (results of PFE tests conducted by the Kaken Test Center).

②Secure sealing (air leakage ratio)
The unique three-dimensional pleated shape (patent pending) that enhances the fit and sealing effect of the mask achieves an average face-to-mask contact ratio of 90% (results of air leakage tests conducted by YAMASHIN using a particle counter supplied by Sibata Scientific Technology Ltd.), thereby minimizing air leakage.

③Easy breathing (good ventilation)
The unique three-dimensional pleated shape also increases the surface area of the mask to more than double that of our conventional products, greatly improving breathability.

Only high filtration performance that captures nano-size particles, achieved by utilizing our YAMASHIN Nano Filter™ filtration material made from the finest nanofibers, can prevent even fine particles such as viruses.

Our unique three-dimensional shape realizes a high sealing effect, which prevents airborne particles from bypassing the filter and intruding through the sealing gaps.

Ventilation has significantly improved due to increased space and filter area.

The YAMASHIN Filter Mask™, created by combining various filtering technologies of YAMASHIN-FILTER CORP., is made from YAMASHIN Nano Filter™, a non-woven material originally designed for hydraulic filters used in construction machinery. This material, produced from ultrafine polymer nanofibers, has numerous small voids that trap small particles such as viruses. Because our mask is not dependent on static electricity (whose effect will disappear over time) but on the density of the material structure itself for capturing dust, high performance continues for a long time.

Q１
Is the filtration performance of the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ and YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™ the same?
A１
Both are made of the same filter material, so their filtration performance and the way they are used and washed are the same.

Q２
How should I use YAMASHIN Nano Sheets?
A２
Insert a piece of the sheet into the inside of your mask. Make sure that the sheet covers both your mouth and your nose. For the roll of YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™, firstly cut the roll to your desired size (80 to 100 mm in length).

Q3
Do the sheets have front and back sides? How can I tell which is the front or back side?
A３
They have no front or back side.

Q4 
Can the masks and sheets be reused? And how long can I use them?
A4
Both are made of our YAMASHIN Nano Filter™ material, which can be reused after hand-washing with a pressing-down motion. For the roll of YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™, we recommend that you cut the roll to the desired size, and stitch the four sides of the cut sheet to prevent it from losing its shape or loosening while hand-washing.
We have confirmed that the sheets show no degradation in performance after being washed five times.

Q5
How should I wash the masks and sheets?
A5 
Hand-wash them in lukewarm water with a small amount of neutral washing detergent added, using a gentle pressing-down motion, and rinse them thoroughly in tap water. Shape and dry them in the shade.

Q6 
How do I know when I need to replace the mask?
A6 
If you notice fluff on the surface or when the layers of the sheet begin to separate from each other, we recommend replacing the mask.
 

We conducted comparative testing of our filter mask and other products including the N95 mask.

The results of the tests showed that dust (particles of 1 μm in diameter) was able to easily pass through a general surgical mask and a cloth mask, but, in contrast, not through the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ nor the N95 mask.

When YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™ were attached to the inside of the general surgical mask or the cloth mask, these two masks also prevented the passage of dust.

Video 1 The YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ and the N95 mask did not allow fine dust to pass through.
Video 2 The general surgical mask and the cloth mask also did not allow fine dust to pass through when used in combination with YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™. 
 

1. YAMASHIN Filter Mask™
As shown in the video, the results of the tests showed that the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ had almost the same filtration efficiency as the N95 mask, in contrast to the general surgical mask and the cloth mask.

This mask uses the YAMASHIN Nano Filter™, a non-woven material made of three-dimensionally intertwined fibers with nano-level diameters*, which is capable of capturing fine dust. Its filtration performance is further enhanced by subjecting the filter material to an electrostatic charge (although the mask does not rely solely on static electricity), resulting in the ability to remove more of the finer particles in the initial phase of its use.

The YAMASHIN Nano Filter™ is also made of nanofibers structured so as to achieve good ventilation. This means that breathing is effortless when wearing the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™.

The dust seen in the middle part of the video actually leaked from the test device itself, because the mask did not allow dust to pass through. This further demonstrates the high performance of the mask.
* 200–800 nanometers

2. N95 mask
An N95 mask consists of multiple layers of sheets made of fibers, each with a relatively small diameter. This multilayered structure and small fiber diameter give the masks high filtration capability, allowing them to outperform general disposable non-woven masks and high-precision masks. The slight dust that appears to be leaking from the mask in the video is not a leak from the mask but a leak from the joint between the test device and the sealing tape used to attach the mask to the test device.

3. General surgical mask
Made with a single-layered non-woven material produced from fibers with larger diameters, general surgical masks have large mesh gaps, which, as seen in the video, resulted in dust leaking from the mask from the initial stage.

4. Cloth mask
This type of mask is simply made from multiple layers of gauze, whose mesh is coarser than that of a general surgical mask. Consequently, it can be seen in the video that a large quantity of dust leaked from the mask.

5. General surgical mask + YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™
The video shows a small amount of dust leaking from the mask surface, but it was kept to a very low level. This demonstrates the high performance of YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™.

6. Cloth mask + YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™
The video shows a small amount of dust leaking from the mask surface, but it was kept to a very low level as in the case of the general surgical mask + YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™. This demonstrates that the combined use of a cloth mask and YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™ is more effective than using a cloth mask alone.

The following two conclusions can be derived from the above results:

1. Under these test conditions, the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ showed filtration performance equivalent to or better than the N95 mask. 
2. With the use of YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™, the filtration performance of general surgical masks and cloth masks was greatly improved.

It is our hope that the widespread use of our high-performance filter masks and filter sheets by medical personnel and others will help to reduce their health risks. We will make all-out efforts to continue supplying these filter masks and sheets as a leading manufacturer of filtration products.

Outline of mask performance comparison tests

Main filter media

Filter material composition

Feature 1 High capturing performance achieved by ultrafine fibers intertwined in a three-dimensional structure

 
The filter material used in the general mask is made from fibers with a diameter of around 3 micrometers and has a relatively flat shape. On the other hand, YAMASHIN Nano Filter™ is made from fibers with fine diameters of 200–800 nanometers that are intertwined in a wadded form, generating innumerable voids in the nanofiber filter that effectively capture viruses and other foreign substances.
 

Feature 2 Minimal performance degradation even after long-term use

General disposable masks with an electrostatic charge have lower capturing efficiency from the beginning, and their performance deteriorates by as much as 65% after being worn for 24 hours due to exposure to moisture in the exhaled air in addition to the prolonged period of use. The YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ shows a deterioration of only around 9% in capturing performance because it doesn’t rely on static electricity but on its high-density structure to capture even nano-level particles.

Feature 3 Stable supply secured by production in Japan

Although 80% of masks supplied in Japan are currently manufactured overseas*, the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ is manufactured at our own factory in Saga Prefecture. Therefore, a stable supply is secured regardless of overseas conditions. Also, the unique technologies that we have developed as a specialist in filters for construction machinery, which require high filtration accuracy, make it possible for us to manufacture sheets of uniform thicknesses.
* Mask Manufacturing Statistics, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, August 2020).

The following are companies that sell products made of our non-woven materials or to which we supply the YAMASHIN Nano Filter™.

Yuzawaya Shoji Co., Ltd.  Online store and retail stores
  (The roll type of the YAMASHIN Filter Sheets are sold.) 
Konaka Co., Ltd.              Online store    
Samuraiworks, Inc.          Online store
Centrage Co., Ltd.            Online stores: Rakuten and Yahoo 
 

We are currently taking preorders Online shop

2020    
July  15:bizSPA!
June 16:Toyo Keizai Online
June 11:Saga Television program “Kachikachi Press”
May  29:Nikkei Business Online
May  27:NBC Radio Saga
May  22:Nikkei Business
May  12:The Asahi Shimbun
April 29:Nikkei CNBC
April 28:Gadget News 
April 18:The Nihon Keizai Shimbun
April 15:The Chemical Daily
April 14:NNA Business News
April 09:TV Tokyo, “World Business Satellite”
April 02:The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (The Daily Industrial News)

This web page will be updated from time to time.
Here we introduce the YAMASHIN Filter Mask™ (previous model) and the YAMASHIN Filter Sheets™ developed by YAMASHIN-FILTER CORP. Please note that this page will be updated as necessary.
 

Please note that depending on the content of your inquiry, it may take some time to reply or there may be cases where we are unable to reply.
Inquiries received on our company’s holidays (Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, summer holidays, year-end and New Year holidays,) will be processed on the next business day or thereafter.

Handling of personal information
We will never disclose the personal information that you provide us to any outside party .
Please check "Personal Information Protection Policy" for details.

The word “party” here refers to both an individual person and also to a group of people involved in an enterprise or joint activity (for example, a company, a public or private organization, etc.).