Antimicrobial coatings have become a highly sought after technology in today’s society as people are becoming more and more concerned about hygiene and health. Antimicrobial powder coating is a common type of antimicrobial coating that plays an important role in a variety of applications. So, what is antimicrobial powder coating? How is it made? And how is it tested? In addition, we need to know what antimicrobial coatings are used for and whether it is safe. This article will answer these questions for you.
What is antimicrobial powdercoating?
Antimicrobial powder coating is a high performance coating enriched with antimicrobial active substances. Its main goal is to improve the hygiene of our living and working environment by killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and reducing the spread of germs in the living and working environment. Such coatings are widely used in medical devices, food processing equipment, children’s toys and various utilities.
How to make antimicrobial powder coatings?
The main components of antimicrobial powder coatings include powder resins, pigments and additives, of which the key antimicrobial additives are usually either inorganic antimicrobial agents or organic antimicrobial agents. Inorganic antimicrobials are usually more widely used due to their long-lasting properties. AntibacMax inorganic antimicrobial agents, independently developed and manufactured by Langyi, are available in silver ion, zinc ion, copper ion, etc. During the manufacturing process, these raw materials will be mixed, milled and screened together, and then sprayed and cured to produce antimicrobial powder coatings. Tested by SGS and other authorities, AntibacMax can achieve more than 99% antimicrobial rate in coatings with long-lasting performance for several years.
Are antimicrobial coatings safe?
Antibacterial powder coatings are usually considered safe because the antimicrobial active substances in them have good environmental performance and biodegradability and are not harmful to humans. However, it is still necessary to follow appropriate safety regulations when using them, such as avoiding inhalation of dust and contact with eyes and skin during production. But the end products usually are safe for human contact according to anthoritative lab testing results.
How are antimicrobial powder coatings tested?
Testing for antimicrobial properties is usually carried out in a specialized laboratory environment. These laboratories use a variety of standardized test methods, such as the internationally accepted ISO22196 for non-absorbent coating surfaces, the similar Japanese industrial standard JIS Z 2801 test method, and China’s GB/T21866, which are effective in determining the antimicrobial activity of coatings.
How long does the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial powder coatings last?
The durability of the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial powder coatings depends to a large extent on the conditions of use and the environment in which they are applied. Ideally, antimicrobial powder coatings are able to sustain their antimicrobial effect over their life cycle because the antimicrobial agent in the coating is mixed with the coating and cured, so the antimicrobial agent is not depleted during use.
However, the durability of the antimicrobial effect is also affected by a number of factors, such as the degree of wear and tear of the paint and the humidity and temperature of the environment in which it is used. In addition, some strong chemical cleaners may also have an effect on the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings.
To summarize, antimicrobial powder coating is a high-performance coating enriched with antimicrobial active substances, aiming to improve the hygiene of living and working environments by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. It is widely used in medical devices, food processing equipment, children’s toys, and other fields. The manufacturing process involves steps such as mixing, grinding, screening, coating and curing. Antimicrobial powder coatings are generally considered safe, but are still subject to appropriate safety regulations. The durability of the antimicrobial effect depends on factors such as the conditions of use, the environment in which it is applied, and chemical cleaning agents.
