Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of covering a metal article with a film formed from the melting of a thin layer of powder comprising: physically blending 99.8 to 97% by weight of at least one polyamide and 0.2 to 3% by weight of an inorganic biocide species consisting of a soluble ceramic in which silver ions are encapsulated to form a powder blend composition; contacting said metal article with said powder composition blend to form a thin layer of said powder on the article; melting said powder blend composition onto said metal article to form a thin coating film; and cooling said coated article; where the powder blend composition is free of zinc compounds.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of covering a metal article with a film formed from the melting of a thin layer of powder comprising: physically blending 99.8 to 97% by weight of at least one polyamide and 0.2 to 3% by weight of an inorganic biocide species consisting of a soluble ceramic in which silver ions are encapsulated to form a powder blend composition; contacting the metal article with said powder composition blend to form a thin layer of said powder on the article; melting the powder blend composition onto the metal article to form a thin coating film; and cooling the coated article; where the powder blend composition is free of zinc compounds.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of a powder for coating articles, this powder comprising, by weight, 99.8 to 97% of at least one polyamide and 0.2 to 3% of a soluble ceramic in which silver ions are encapsulated. This powder may be prepared by simple dry-blending of the constituents. The invention also relates to this powder. The ceramic protects the Ag ions from the temperature during application and use of the product, from UV radiation and from other components present in the formulation. It is the presence of moisture on the surface of the coating, needed for bacterial growth, which causes silver ions to be released and therefore the bacteria to be eliminated. This composition contains an inorganic biocide using silver ions as sole active metal species. This powder paint has the advantage of being able to be applied at temperatures above 300° C. without any undesirable discoloration problems and without the use of zinc compounds. The side reactions caused by the silver species are therefore avoided by the choice of an encapsulation in a soluble ceramic which effectively protects the Ag+ metal ions from the temperature and UV light, but also from the other compounds of the formulation.