This article aims to investigate the development of surgical masks for medical applications by incorporating biocidal silver nanoparticles. Medical masks were developed in three layers of a nonwoven fabric, where the outer and inner layers were made of a spun-bond polypropylene nonwoven fabric and the middle layer con¬sisted of a melt-blown nonwoven polypropylene fabric. In this study, silver nanoparticles in the concentrations of 1–5% were applied to masks with the pad-dry-cure method. The samples were cured at room temperature and subsequently examined for antimicrobial properties. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to investigate the morphological charac¬teristics and chemical composition of the samples. Microbial cleanliness, bacterial filtration efficiency, antiviral effect and breathability tests were performed according to standard test protocols. The results revealed that the application of silver nanoparticles to a three-layer mask rendered the end product with outstanding anti¬microbial and antiviral properties with poor breathability (air permeability) results.

In today's global markets, there is a growing demand for high-value composite products. Over the past decade, many countries have shifted their production processes towards these products in order to boost their competitiveness in the global economy. This study aims to examine the current state of the composite industry in Turkey, with a particular focus on Bursa, a major hub for the automotive industry. The analysis includes an assessment of global trade volumes, import-export data, and Turkey's position within this sector. In addition, the study explores current technology and market trends related to composite products. According to the data, Turkey's exports of composite materials increased by 19.48% in 2021 compared to the previous year, reaching 2.7 billion. By calculating the Grubel-Lloyd Index, the study finds that intra-industry trade in Turkey's composite materials product groups is mostly two-way, with a few exceptions. The average index value for composite materials was measured to be 0.6890.

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In this study, the usability of several composite plates in level III and level IV body armors were examined, along with the ballistic resistance, protection level, and production parameters of each plate. For level III protection, composite panels are made using the heat pressing method under various pressures, and for level IV composites, ceramic plates of various thicknesses are reinforced on the back with various composite materials. Ballistic tests using the NIJ standards were performed on the created composite panels. There were delaminations between the layers as a result of the ballistic test in the level III protective panels produced at 140 bar pressure, but there was no puncture in the panels produced at 250 bar pressure, and the depth of trauma was reduced to a minimum. These observations were made using samples produced at 90 bar pressure under controlled conditions. Level IV panels were subjected to dry and wet ballistic tests, and the results of these tests showed that K-flex reinforced ceramics were impervious to punctures. It has been found that aramid-reinforced epoxy ceramic panels and UD H62 reinforced ceramics have superior ballistic qualities and are 6% lighter.

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