Specialty Polymers with Long-Lasting Antimicrobial Protection on Public Surfaces Find New Interest during Covid-19

 

Specialty polymers are a rapidly growing category of plastics defined by notably higher performance than traditional resins, can help fuel the development of the poly plastic market. This includes uses in sectors where replacing metal with a polymer could improve a particular component's cost, increase its strength or allow for a more ergonomic structure. The key drivers for these changes include cost-effectiveness, durability, and convenience. The ability to use these types of materials in place of traditional metal or composite parts opens up new markets and ensures that manufacturers continue to find ways to make their products more accessible to a wider range of consumers. Here we will take a closer look at some of the key characteristics found in specialty plastics and how they have affected the global industry.

For years science has been trying to perfect a material that can be used to create high-performance plastics and one group of this material that has been a main focus has been polyimide. This is a series of chemicals that have long been used to create plastic materials with long and short-term wear, rigidity and composites that are flexible yet durable.

Another area of specialty polymers being considered for use in thermal spray coatings is their unique flame retardant properties. Some of these specialty polymers are specially formulated to have up to five times the life span of traditional flame-retardant chemical coatings. In addition to providing a more durable finish, this material has a fire retardant property that helps it withstand intense flame emissions. These types of coatings will provide superior protection from fires while extending the useful life of many products.

As we move forward and examine different applications of specialty polymers, we will find that there are a wide range of different materials that can be coatings applied to. While the primary goal of most companies is to improve product life and extend the useful life of their products, there are a number of different reasons why these materials are used. By using these polymers in the coatings or in other materials, companies can protect their materials from damage and provide protection from the harsh environment.

One of the primary reasons that polymers are being used in the medical applications is because they are extremely safe, have high performance characteristics and offer a strong finish. In the industrial and manufacturing applications the reasons for using specialty polymers are the same. They offer high performance, durability and a strong finish. There are a variety of different industries where high performance polymers are being used including: aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, power generation, construction, marine and defense.

BiaXam sulfonated block copolymer has found interest with the emergence of Covid-19. The specialty polymer provides long-lasting antimicrobial protection on public surfaces. In April 2021, Kraton Corporation, a producer of specialty polymers, received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval for the deployment of BiaXam in specific applications.