Powder coating wood is possible but comes with some unique challenges and requirements. Here's a...
Take a look into how antimicrobial powder coatings can prevent the spread of bacteria on high-touch surfaces. Discover how they work, key applications, and where to find them.
What Is Antimicrobial Powder Coating?
With flu season around the corner and bacteria becoming increasingly resistant to drugs, wouldn’t it be great if we could stop diseases caused by bacteria before they have a chance to infect us? That’s exactly what several powder coating manufacturers are working on. Some already offer powder formulations that can achieve over 99.5% effectiveness, depending on the type of bacteria they target.
A relatively new type of powder coating, called antimicrobial powder, has been formulated to help prevent the spread of disease-causing bacteria. These powders are specifically designed to target certain bacteria, such as salmonella, which is especially useful in food preparation areas.
How It Works
Many antimicrobial coatings use metals, like silver, which have been found to either prevent the spread of microorganisms or kill them entirely when they come into contact with metal ions. They do this by disrupting the cellular respiration process of the bacteria, and in some cases, inhibiting the division of cells.
When exposed to moisture, the metal ions activate and begin disrupting bacterial cellular respiration.
Possible Applications
Currently, these coatings have been shown to be most effective on materials like aluminum, plastics, steel, and stainless steel. Antimicrobial coatings are commonly seen on:
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Handles
- Playground equipment
- Gym equipment
- Laboratory equipment
- Hospital furniture
- Essentially, any surface frequently touched by people.
Where to Get Antimicrobial Powders
Some manufacturers offering antimicrobial powders include:
