Mosquito Net Testing

Mosquito net inspection mainly conducts scientific testing and analysis on physical and mechanical property testing, mesh size and density determination, flame retardant performance testing, colour fastness testing, dimensional stability testing and chemical safety testing, objectively assessing the product quality grade and issuing a detailed test report, providing a basis for manufacturers' quality control and downstream users' product acceptance.

Testing Items

Physical and mechanical property testing: Evaluates the durability of the mosquito net under the normal use and force states, mainly including the determination of the tensile strength, elongation at break, tearing strength and seam strength. These items are directly related to the service life of the mosquito net and the integrity of the mosquito prevention barrier, and are the basic indicators for judging its quality grade.

Mesh size and density determination: Precisely measures the mesh number (the number of holes per square inch or per square centimetre) and the aperture size of the mosquito net. This item is the core functional indicator, aiming to ensure that the mesh can effectively block the passage of the target mosquitoes (such as the Anopheles and Aedes) while ensuring good ventilation and air permeability.

Flame retardant performance testing: In accordance with the relevant safety standards, tests the burning behaviour of the mosquito net fabric when contacting the fire source, including the afterflame time, afterglow time and damaged length. For the mosquito nets used indoors, especially near the fire sources or electrical appliances, the flame retardant performance is the key safety performance for ensuring the life safety of the users.

Colour fastness testing: Evaluates the retention ability of the colour of the mosquito net fabric under the action of the external factors, usually including the colour fastness to soaping, colour fastness to rubbing (dry/wet), colour fastness to perspiration and colour fastness to light. Good colour fastness can prevent the dye shedding, avoid the skin irritation, and ensure the lasting appearance of the product.

Dimensional stability testing: Simulates the dimensional change of the mosquito net after washing or dampening, including the dimensional change rate in washing and the dimensional change rate in steaming. This testing ensures that the mosquito net can still maintain its original size after cleaning, matching the bed frame or support poles, and preventing the protection failure caused by the shrinkage or deformation.

Chemical safety testing: Qualitative or quantitative analysis is carried out on the hazardous chemicals that may exist in the mosquito net fabric and the treatment agents, focusing on the formaldehyde content, pH value, decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes, heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium) and the residues of the pesticides (such as the pyrethroids), ensuring that the product meets the ecological and health requirements.

Functional treatment effect evaluation: For the mosquito nets treated with the long-lasting insecticidal treatment (such as the dipping or coating with the insecticides), the insecticide loading, uniformity and the biological activity (knockdown and mortality effects) after the standard washing cycles are detected. This is the key to evaluating whether the core function of the "long-lasting insecticidal nets" meets the requirements.

Testing Scope

Square-top/umbrella mosquito nets: The main tests are the stability of the top support structure, the connection strength between the netting and the frame, and the flatness and draping of the net surface after the overall hanging. The testing needs to cover the different size specifications, to adapt to the use scenarios such as the single bed and double bed.

Palace-type/four-poster mosquito nets: This type of mosquito nets usually has a large volume and a complex structure. The testing focus includes the splicing and sewing strength of the multiple netting panels, the stability of the posts, the safety of the decorations of the top cover, and the overall wind-sway resistance.

Foldable portable mosquito nets: For the portable mosquito nets for the outdoor or travel use, in addition to the basic items, the fatigue strength of the folding frame, the reliability of the quick open-close mechanism, and whether the volume and weight after storage meet the claims need to be additionally tested.

Infant mosquito nets: The testing standards are stricter. In addition to the conventional items, the firmness of the small parts (such as the straps and decorations) is particularly emphasized, to prevent the accidental swallowing by the infants; the fabric needs to be soft and skin-friendly, and all the chemical indicators must comply with the infant product safety specifications, and any sharp points or sharp edges must be eliminated.

Long-lasting insecticidal nets: The testing scope not only covers the physical properties, but more core is the effectiveness and safety of their chemical treatment. In accordance with the WHO recommended standards or the relevant national standards, the actual use environment is simulated in the laboratory, evaluating the durability of the knockdown and killing effects.

Mosquito nets of different materials: The testing needs to be carried out according to the characteristics of the different raw materials (such as polyester, cotton, nylon and polyethylene). For example, the polyester mosquito nets need to pay attention to their UV aging resistance; the cotton mosquito nets pay more attention to the mildew resistance and shrinkage; and the polyethylene netting needs to test its low-temperature brittleness.

Testing Methods

Mesh size determination method: A fabric density glass or portable magnifying glass is usually used to count and measure the mesh holes of the mosquito net at different parts (at least three points) under a standard light source. For the irregular mesh holes, the maximum inscribed circle diameter needs to be measured, ensuring that all the apertures are smaller than the body size threshold of the target mosquitoes.

Tensile property testing (strip method): In accordance with the standards such as GB/T 3923.1, the mosquito net fabric is cut into specimens of the specified width, and the testing is carried out on a constant-rate-of-extension strength testing machine. The maximum force (tensile strength) and elongation at the specimen fracture are recorded, and the elongation at break is calculated, to evaluate the toughness and durability of the material.

Biological efficacy testing (cylinder method): Specially used to evaluate the insecticidal mosquito nets. A standard number of susceptible strain mosquitoes are placed in a transparent cylinder with the mosquito net samples fixed at both ends, and the knockdown rate and mortality rate of the mosquitoes are observed and recorded within the specified time. This method is often carried out before and after the treatment and after the different washing cycles, to verify the long-lasting effect.

Flame retardant performance testing (vertical method): In accordance with the GB/T 5455 standard, the mosquito net specimen is vertically hung in a dedicated burning test chamber, ignited with a specified flame for a certain time and then removed, and the afterflame time and afterglow time of the specimen are precisely recorded, and the damaged length is measured, thereby assessing its flame retardant grade.

Colour fastness testing (rubbing method): A rubbing fastness testing machine is used, and the standard white cotton cloths in the dry and wet states are respectively fixed on the rubbing finger to carry out the reciprocating friction on the surface of the mosquito net specimen. After the friction, the staining grade is rated with the grey scales. The higher the grade, the better the colour fastness.

Chemical analysis (high-performance liquid chromatography method): Used to precisely determine the insecticide (such as permethrin and deltamethrin) loading and distribution uniformity in the mosquito net. After the sample is dissolved or extracted, the separation and detection are carried out by HPLC, and the content is calculated by comparison with the standard curve, ensuring that the treatment agent dosage is within the safe and effective range.

Washing durability testing: Simulates the family or community washing conditions, and the mosquito net is washed for multiple times with a standard washing machine, detergent and procedure. After washing, not only its dimensional stability is evaluated, but for the insecticidal mosquito nets, the biological efficacy testing also needs to be carried out again, to confirm whether its marked "long-lasting" washing cycles are true.

Testing Standards

Domestic Standards:

1. GB/T 3923.1, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of breaking force and elongation at breaking force using the strip method

2. GB/T 5455, Textiles — Burning behaviour — Determination of damaged length, afterglow time and afterflame time

3. GB 18401-2010, National general safety technical code for textile products

4. GB/T 3920-2024, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Colour fastness to rubbing

5. GB/T 3921-2008, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Colour fastness to washing with soap or soap and soda

6. GB/T 3922-2013, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Colour fastness to perspiration

International Standards:

1. ISO 105, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness

2. ISO 13934-1, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method

3. WHO specifications and evaluations for public health pesticides (long-lasting insecticidal nets)

Note: The applicable standard can be selected according to the product use and customer trade requirements; standards agreed in the contract take precedence over general standards.

Testing Instruments and Equipment

Universal material testing machine: The core equipment for executing the mechanical property tests such as the tensile strength, tearing strength and seam strength. Through the precision sensors and control system, the load can be accurately applied and measured, and the stress-strain curve is automatically generated, providing quantitative data for the mechanical properties of the material.

Standard light source cabinet: Provides a stable, uniform light source environment conforming to the international standards (such as D65 and CWF) for the visual inspection items such as the colour fastness rating and mesh observation. It ensures the consistency and comparability of the colour and appearance judgement results of the inspectors at different times and places.

Vertical burning tester: An instrument specially used for the determination of the vertical flame retardant performance of the textile. Equipped with an automatic igniter, specimen clamping device and timer, it can strictly control the ignition time and safely collect the burning drippings. It is the key equipment for evaluating the fire safety of the product.

Rubbing fastness testing machine: The rubbing finger is driven by the motor to carry out the reciprocating linear friction on the specimen, and the friction stroke, pressure and number of times can all be precisely controlled. Its standardized design ensures the uniformity of the colour fastness test conditions, and it is an important tool for evaluating whether the product fades during use.

Bioassay cylinder and mosquito rearing box: The complete equipment for the biological testing of the insecticidal mosquito nets. Including the transparent test cylinder, mosquito isolation and release device, and the constant temperature and humidity rearing box for rearing the standard susceptible strain mosquitoes, ensuring the consistent physiological state of the test insects and the reliable results.

High-performance liquid chromatograph: A high-precision instrument for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the trace chemical substances (such as the insecticides, formaldehyde and dye decomposition products) in the mosquito net. Its high separation efficiency and sensitivity can accurately detect the extremely low contents of the hazardous substances, ensuring the reliability of the chemical safety indicators.

Standard laboratory washing machine and oven: Used to execute the washing durability testing. The washing machine needs to precisely control the water temperature, water level, rotating speed and washing time; the oven is used to dry the washed specimens according to the standard procedure, to simulate the washing conditions in the actual use and evaluate the durability of the product.