What is a Flocked Swab? 4 Advantages of Nylon Flocked Swabs

Before the emergence of nylon flocked swabs, most swabs we use daily were made of cotton or polyester. The flocked swab is very different from the traditional swab. It is a kind of disposable sampling swab composed of a nylon short fiber lint head and ABS plastic rod, which greatly affects the production process and performance.

What is Flocked Swab?

• Flocking refers to the process of applying multiple lengths of fiber to the surface of the coating.
• The flocked swabs are made with new spray coating technology. Millions of nylon microfibers are vertically attached to the top of the medical grade handle through the flocking process of electrostatic charge.
• If the tip of the swab is finely flocked, it is a flocked swab.
• Flocked Swabs can collect samples for the oral cavity, stomatitis, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and cervical, and they can also be used for laboratory testing, etc.

The 4 Advantages of Nylon Flocked Swabs

1. Higher Comfort When Sampling

• Vertical nylon fiber is very soft; flocked swabs are like mini brushes. This nylon flocked swab will not cause any discomfort during the sampling process.
• In particular, the upper end of the nasal flocked swab is thinner and softer, so as not to poke the nasal cavity while sampling.

2. Flocked Swab Sample Release is Greater

• The capillary action between the nylon fiber bundles promotes the strong hydraulic absorption of the liquid sample. The sample remains on the surface, making it easier to wash off. With conventional cotton swabs, most of the collected sample remains trapped in the fibrous matrix of the head and is not easily released or released in small amounts.
• Studies have shown that flocked swabs can release up to 95% of the sample, compared to standard fiber-tipped swabs that only release 25% of the specimen. Therefore, flocked swabs are more conducive to complete sampling in the case of a relatively small sample size.

3. Flocked swabs are biocompatible, making them ideal for PCR work.

• The flocked swabs are made of inert ingredients to protect the sample from damage and improve the accuracy of testing the sample.
• Flocked swabs are very suitable for PCR detection. Thus, for scientists using PCR techniques, the new flocked swabs are PCR compatible and RNase and DNase free.

4. Easier sample handling

The specifications of the swabs used for various sampling sites and the flocked swabs are designed with different fracture points. These break points can help you to easily break the sample into the storage vessel after collection, which is very convenient.