Antimicrobial Plastic Testing Services
Plastic Testing
Plastic plays an integral role in our modern world, finding its place in machinery, households, labs, hospitals, and industries. Specifically, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted its importance, with applications such as N95 masks, respirators, face shields, and PPE kits. This fact alone underscores the significance of antimicrobial plastic testing.
The functional properties of plastic have revolutionized various fields. These properties include antibacterial, antifungal, antialgal, and antiviral attributes. Given this, our lab at BTS employs antimicrobial plastic testing to test these properties. These properties find use in a wide range of applications such as medical instruments, shipping containers, pipelines, aircraft interiors, and more. They also find use in electrical appliances, household products, and pet accessories. These properties not only extend the product lifespan and protect them from microbial threats but also enhance user comfort.
Furthermore, at BTS Laboratory, we take on the task of evaluating these properties through precise and accurate antimicrobial plastic testing. Additionally, we ensure our assessments strictly adhere to rigorous standards such as ASTM, ISO, and JIS standards. Moreover, we at BTS provide a systematic approach for product performance assessment. This approach includes both qualitative and quantitative methods for antimicrobial plastic testing.
Finally, it’s important to note that the use of antimicrobial plastics extends beyond the applications mentioned above. Their potential uses are vast and varied. For instance, they can be used in the manufacturing of medical devices to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Likewise, they can be used in the production of consumer goods to enhance product lifespan and user comfort. Therefore, we cannot overstate the importance of antimicrobial plastic testing in ensuring product safety, longevity, and user comfort.
Methods of Testing
Antimicrobial Testing
For Polymers
ASTM E 2180: Assessing the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Agents in Polymer and Hydrophobic Materials
In the realm of microbiology, precise testing methods are paramount. In particular, these methods assess the activity of antimicrobial agents. These agents are present in hydrophobic or polymeric materials. Standard tests often fall short. This is because bacterial cultures form droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. This limits their contact with treated areas. To overcome this, ASTM E 2180 offers a more accurate approach.
This particular method incorporates the test inoculum into an agar slurry. Such a process ensures a uniformly consistent interaction. This interaction is between the inoculum and the treated surface. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are the preferred bacterial strains for this assessment.
When it comes to expressing results, our criteria are strict. For Antibacterial Efficacy, we demand a significant > 2 log reduction compared to the control.
Expect comprehensive results within just 7 days. This reflects our commitment to swift and precise testing.
For Non-Porous Substrates
JIS Z 2801: Revealing the Antibacterial Product’s Efficacy
JIS Z 2801, renowned for its meticulous approach, measures antibacterial product performance. Indeed, these products span a wide range of materials. These include plastic, ceramic, metal, and intermediates, all of which undergo a thorough evaluation.
The essence of this evaluation lies in a comparison. In particular, it’s the log viability difference between the antibacterial-treated product and its untreated counterpart. This occurs after bacterial inoculation and incubation. A log reduction of 2.0 or more signals true antibacterial efficacy.
In terms of expressing results, we gauge the effectiveness of the antibacterial finish. We achieve this by measuring the log reduction in bacteria on the treated substrate compared to the untreated one.
You can anticipate receiving precise results from our assessment within a mere 7 days. This offers critical insights into your product’s antibacterial effectiveness.
ISO 22196: Unveiling the Effectiveness of Antibacterial Treatment on Non-Porous Surfaces
ISO 22196, a highly regarded method in the field, measures antibacterial activity on various surfaces. Specifically, these surfaces include plastics and other non-porous materials treated with antibacterial agents.
The essence of this method lies in a precise assessment. In particular, it gauges the antibacterial activity in treated plastics and non-porous surfaces. Consequently, it determines the effectiveness of the antibacterial treatment. It acts as a reliable indicator of the treatment’s success.
In terms of expressing results, we assess Antibacterial effectiveness based on log reduction. To be more specific, it’s the reduction of bacteria in the treated specimen compared to the untreated one.
When it comes to turnaround time, you can anticipate prompt results from our evaluation within 5-7 days. This offers a swift and detailed analysis of your product’s antibacterial treatment effectiveness.
For Polymers and Cotton Fabrics
We use IS 1389, a dual-purpose method, to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties in polymers. Moreover, it helps us assess the resistance of cotton fabrics to microbial attack. This method provides valuable insights for a variety of applications such as medical instruments, packaging materials, healthcare textiles, and more.
When expressing results, we measure the antibacterial and antifungal properties to determine effectiveness. Importantly, this measurement ensures product safety and longevity.
Regarding turnaround time, you can expect prompt results from us. These results, in turn, provide timely insights to enhance your products. Additionally, we don’t limit the use of IS 1389 to evaluating antibacterial and antifungal properties in polymers and cotton fabrics. In fact, we also use it to assess these properties in other materials like synthetic fibers and composite materials. Therefore, we can’t overstate the importance of IS 1389 in ensuring product safety and longevity.
Antiviral Testing
For Non-Porous Substrates
ISO 21702: Unlocking the Antiviral Potential of Plastics and Non-Porous Surfaces
ISO 21702 is the gold standard in laboratory testing. Specifically, this standard assesses antiviral properties of non-porous surfaces. These surfaces are treated with antiviral products. The TCID50 approach, employed in this standard, determines the infectivity titer of viruses meticulously. This ensures the highest precision.
When it comes to expressing results, we perform a specific calculation. This is for Antiviral Efficacy assessment for non-porous samples. This calculation depends on Cytopathic Effect and TCID50. It uses the Behrens and Karber method. After a 24-hour contact period, we compare the result with a control.
You can expect comprehensive results within just 15 days. This swift turnaround shows our commitment to providing timely and precise data.
Antifungal Testing
For Polymers
ASTM G21: Assessing Antifungal Resistance in Synthetic Polymeric Materials
In our laboratory, we utilize ASTM G21 as a comprehensive practice. Specifically, this ASTM standard test method helps us determine the resistance of synthetic polymeric materials to fungal growth. These materials, which include molded and fabricated articles, tubes, rods, sheets, and films, undergo a thorough evaluation.
To initiate the procedure, we begin with the inoculation of the test specimen with a consortium of fungi. Subsequently, we expose the specimen to controlled conditions that favor fungal development over an extended period. Interestingly, the results primarily hinge on the visual growth and coverage of fungus on the specimen.
When expressing results, we determine the effectiveness of antifungal properties by visually rating the fungus growth on the specimen. This method thus provides a clear and direct measure of antifungal efficacy.
Regarding turnaround time, you can anticipate receiving comprehensive results from our thorough evaluation within a span of 28 days. This swift delivery indeed is a testament to our commitment to providing timely and precise data. Moreover, ASTM G21 is not just limited to evaluating antifungal resistance in synthetic polymeric materials. In fact, it can also be used to assess these properties in other materials such as natural fibers and composite materials. Therefore, we cannot overstate the importance of ASTM G21 in ensuring product safety and longevity.
For Interior Coatings
Chamber Exposure test
ASTM D 3273 serves as a method for evaluating the mold resistance of interior coatings. Furthermore, this method subjects them to accelerated mold growth in an environmental chamber. This controlled environment, which maintains a relative humidity of 95% at 32°C, provides valuable insights into how coatings perform in mold-prone interior settings.
In terms of expressing results, we visually rate mold growth on a scale from 0 to 10 over a period of 4 weeks. Interestingly, this rating takes into account the percentage of surface defacement, with a rating of 10 signifying no defacement and 0 indicating complete defacement. The evaluation considers both test and non-test fungal growth. Typically, results can be expected within a span of 4 weeks.
Additionally, it’s important to note that ASTM D 3273 is not just limited to evaluating mold resistance of interior coatings. Indeed, it can also be used to assess the mold resistance of other materials such as textiles and wood products. Therefore, the importance of ASTM D 3273 in ensuring product safety and longevity cannot be overstated.
For Leather
In our laboratory, we employ ASTM D 4576, a method that determines the resistance of wet blue and wet white leathers to mold growth. Indeed, this method is widely accepted among Leather Manufacturers. The procedure involves the inoculation of Aspergillus niger on and around the specimen. Following this step, we observe the extent of fungal resistance.
When expressing results, we focus on observing the degree of growth on the specimen, not on the agar. This growth receives a rating on a scale of 1 to 4. Specifically, the suggested rating periods are at day 3, 7, and 14.
Regarding turnaround time, you can look forward to receiving comprehensive results from our evaluation within a span of 3 weeks. This swift delivery indeed is a testament to our commitment to providing timely and precise data. Moreover, ASTM D 4576 is not just limited to evaluating mold resistance in wet blue and wet white leathers. In fact, it can also be used to assess these properties in other materials such as synthetic fibers and composite materials. Therefore, we cannot overstate the importance of ASTM D 4576 in ensuring product safety and longevity.
Antialgal Testing
For Plastic Films
ASTM G29: Evaluating Algal Resistance in Plastic Films
G29, a pivotal test method in our laboratory, assesses the susceptibility of plastic films to algae. Specifically, this method determines the effectiveness of additives in films. These films are likely to be submerged in water for extended durations. Thus, they provide protection against surface algae growth.
The procedure starts with suspending test strips of plastic films in glass jars. Subsequently, we maintain them at room temperature. These strips then come into direct contact with filamentous blue-green algae in a culture medium. They are exposed to fluorescent light. The results primarily depend on the visual growth and coverage of algae on the specimen.
In terms of expressing results, we determine the effectiveness of antialgal properties. We do this by visually rating the algal growth on the specimen.
You can anticipate receiving comprehensive results from our evaluation within just 15 days. This offers a detailed analysis of your plastic films’ resistance to algae.