Specialty Compounding and Antimicrobial Solutions

Plastic articles that are untreated are under the threat of being attacked by microbe growth that causes problems for plastic. The most common issues associated with this problem include:

• Discoloration
• Unpleasant odors
• Polymer degradation

During the production phase, antimicrobial additives can be combined with plastic resins through a process called specialty compounding. It can also be incorporated as a masterbatch while molding and still provide a biocide treatment for controlling microbes.

After the additives have been combined with the resins, the plastic part will be effective against mold, mildew, yeasts, algae, and other microbes. Multiple antimicrobial technologies are compatible with an array of thermoplastic resins. For instance, silver-based antimicrobials, when contacted by moisture, undergo an electrochemical reaction releasing silver ions that penetrate microbes to render them unable to function.

The most common industries to benefit from antimicrobial treatment include:

• Medical
• Sports and recreation
• Food
• Machine handling
• Consumer and business appliances
• Home goods

Creating a checklist to determine suitability for your application and available antimicrobial technologies will help to save time and money. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What end-use application do you need?
2. What is the typical usage environment?
3. Do similar products use similar protection?
4. Do you need a particular resin for the additive to function within?
5. How big of a factor is cost for your technology selection?

Specialty Compounding

If you need help answering the above questions, you should not hesitate to give our team a call.

 

Related Reading

• Understanding Specialty Compounding and Functional Effect
• Specialty Compounding and Masterbatch FAQ
• Specialty Compounding and Material Effects