Speco Explains: Is Your Antimicrobial Coating Really Durable?
Antimicrobial coatings are designed to kill and inhibit the growth of bacteria, molds and other organisms. However, they wear down over time due to exposure to various factors. Once this happens, microbes on the surface will begin multiplying faster as the inhibiting layer of protection has been degraded, thus increasing the risk of fomite transmission.
The life span of an antimicrobial coating varies wildly. It depends on the quality, hardness and stability of the antimicrobial coating. Here are 3 factors that affect the durability of an antimicrobial coating and what you need to know before you use one.
1) Ambient environment:
Especially in South East Asian countries, humidity in the air will result in subsequent corrosion of the coating by oxygen molecules.
What you should do: Check if the durability test was conducted in a simulated ambient environment similar to that of Singapore’s outdoor environment.
2) Chemical interaction:
Some antimicrobial coatings degrade rapidly during the cleaning process when in contact with harsh chemicals (eg: alcohol, very high or low pH chemicals). The chemical structure of each coating reacts differently with different types of chemicals.
What you should do: Check the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) on the Chemical Stability, Incompatibility and Possible Hazardous reactions including Explosive, Self-Reactive or Self-Heating.
3) Physical abrasion:
With stepped-up cleaning regimes in place, this is the most common reason why an antimicrobial coating will degrade. Frequent mechanical or cleaning will rub off the coating over time.
What you should do: Check on the Durability tests conducted. It should be done by an accredited laboratory with documented testing standards that simulates a live stepped-up cleaning regime. A good coating should be able to live up to its claims after being evaluated by an RE50 or similar test standard.
[The RE50 test standard imposes a live simulation of a mechanical abrasion and measures the durability of an antimicrobial product]
As antimicrobial coatings will degrade over time or wear and tear, it is important to know how to upkeep the surfaces to maintain complete protection. Speak with our Speco specialists to know how to keep your premises clean and protected comprehensively.
