Powder coating accounts for more than 15% of the overall industrial-finishing market. It is in use for everything from automotive applications to architecture. But one of the most innovative advancements is the use of powder coating in the medical industry. As one of the leading powder coating companies in the UK, we offer antimicrobial powder coating services for medical devices and more.
Coating performance for medical equipment requires a very specific powder coating system. They need to not only protect, but also survive a variety of biological and sanitising processes.
Powder Coating In The Healthcare Industry
Antimicrobial powder coatings create a safe and sanitary place to work. In addition, while addressing some of the waste resources in the healthcare industry. It is commonly in use for hospital beds, wheelchairs, handrails, lifts, trolleys, and other metal equipment that comes into contact with patients.
Powder coating is susceptible to bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as well as mould or mildew. This is because it can be applied to a variety of materials, including galvanised steel and aluminium.
Why Use Antimicrobial Powder Coatings Services For Medical Equipment?
Powder coating offers excellent adhesion to difficult-to-coat substrates (e.g stainless steel, anodized aluminium, brass, etc.). It also, has advantageous properties such as being abrasion and scratch resistant.
Furthermore, coatings for medical equipment must also withstand sterilisation protocols such as exposure to strong detergents followed by autoclave. In hospitals and clinics, autoclaves employ steam and pressure to kill germs such as bacteria and spores. Coatings intended for surgical equipment must withstand several autoclave cycles over the instrument’s expected life.
What Regulations Apply to Medical Powder Coating Applications?
A thorough understanding of regulations is essential for powder coating in the healthcare industry. Most important are ISO 13485 and ISO 10993-1 standards.
Is Powder Coating Hazardous?
Powder coating uses non-toxic, non-volatile powders that are completely safe. Powder coating does not pose any known short or long-term health risks, nor does it pose any risk of fire or other workplace hazards.
Benefits of Powder Coating For Medical Device Coating Companies
Patients recovering from surgery or illnesses are more vulnerable to hospital-borne infections, therefore it’s critical that healthcare facilities and equipment is clean and sterile. The powder coating method generates a solid barrier on a metal surface that inhibits the growth of infections like E. Coli, MRSA, and staph, which are the most dangerous to hospitalised patients.
Powder coating is also easy to clean, which makes it ideal for keeping equipment sterile. This provides a second line of defence against potentially harmful pathogens that may accumulate on hospital equipment that comes into contact with patients.
Reducing Patient Risk and Exposure
Rust and corrosion can also endanger patient and staff safety, especially when combined with the risk of broken skin and surface contamination. Powder coating reduces the risk of injury to patients and staff because it is rust and corrosion resistant.
Powder coating not only reduces the risks to patient health from hospital-borne infections, but it also helps the healthcare industry save money. Because powder coating is thicker and more resistant than liquid paint, it is less likely to crack or chip with use. Given the high cost of medical equipment, the longevity provided by powder coating is extremely beneficial for protecting equipment and lowering the costs associated with replacement and repair.
Increased Demand For Powder Coating In Medical Facilities
While powder coating is becoming more popular in many industries, including automotive, architecture, rail and construction, and many others, the medical sector is rapidly dominating the market. This is because powder coating is widely used and applied in healthcare facilities and environments.
Powder coating demand is also increasing as governments focus on reducing hospital-acquired infections and improving population health. Government agencies are enacting stringent regulatory measures to combat hospital-borne illness and repeat hospitalisation or visits, which is expected to fuel growth and demand for powder coating.
Medical Powder Coating Services At R&M
Powder coating services are available for customers who manufacture medical equipment. It’s a finishing process that’s gaining popularity as various industries recognise its benefits. Powder coating, with its high-quality, long-lasting finish, increases output, improves efficiency, and simplifies environmental compliance.
What Is The Maximum Size Part You Can Powder Coat?
We have a cutting-edge powder coating plant, and our workshop envelope measures 2.4m long by 1.3m high by 400ml deep.
We can provide the extra attention to detail required by many medical equipment OEMs, in addition to specialist coatings such as antimicrobial finishes.
Powder coating is a finishing method that is gaining popularity as new sectors recognise its benefits. We offer our powder coating services to a wide range of industries. For more information on our powder coating services Leicester, contact us today on 01384 898 765 or email enquiries@rmpowdercoating.co.uk
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not take a look at a previous blog: R&M Powder Coating Pre Treatment: Chromate To OrthoPhosphate