A joint development between Eriks in The Netherlands and Milliken Chemical has produced a range of seals intended to minimize the presence and effects of bacteria and microbes.
The compound, Elastoguard-HNBR, incorporates Milliken's Elastoguard silver-based biocide, which permeates parts molded from the material to provide long-lasting protection against bacteria. The antimicrobial performance provided by the Elastoguard additive is maintained even after parts are subjected to repeated washing and surface abrasion. The seals are colored yellow to facilitate recognition, and are being injection-molded in ten sizes to DIN 11851.
The anti-microbial technology is also applicable to other types of rubber including EPDM, silicones and thermoplastic elastomers. The antimicrobial additive is a silver-sodiumzirconium phosphate ion-exchange resin that is non-leaching. Once the molded part has been vulcanized, the additive is encapsulated in the rubber matrix, where it permeates the entire part to give skin-to-core protection. Bacteria absorb the silver ions released by the additive, which break down their cell walls and destroy them. The silver ions are also released into areas that are hard or almost impossible to clean with classical detergents, such as hairline cracks in seals.