CA BIN H Y GIENE
Boeing develops
polymer coating
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
JUNE 2020 085
SILVER IONS
The Alexit FST BioProtect paint system from Mankiewicz
is an antimicrobial topcoat based on silver technology
that kills bacteria. The silver ions in the coating are highly
reactive and interrupt vital processes in the bacterial cells,
ultimately killing them, while being safe to humans. According
to the company, while it cannot definitively prove the topcoat
is affective against viruses, its engineers say that silver is
generally effective against many viruses, and test samples
with micronised silver applied were shown to contain
90% less viruses after 20 minutes.
The silver content in the coating does not wear
off and remains active for many years. The
topcoat has been used in aircraft
lavatories for several years.
GALLEY AND
LAVATORY DEEP
CLEANING
The appearance and cleanliness of galleys, lavatories, galley and
entry mats, food service carts and meal trays can be enhanced through
a combination of steam cleaning, mechanical surface polishing and
isopropyl alcohol, which is safe to use on most non-porous interior surfaces.
FDA Aerospace Solutions, an entity which focuses on FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) regulatory compliance and aircraft certification, offers these
services, as well as the refurbishment and replacement of silicone sealant and
closeout seals.
The company uses Isopropanol TT-I-735, a 99% alcohol solution, for both sealant
smoothing and disinfection, and while not officially documented as proven to kill
Covid-19, the company says it is generally accepted that the solution will kill
99.999% of all germs when used on almost any non-porous surface.
Pricing starts from US$4,000 for regional jets, with substantial discounts
available based on large order quantities. Clients have included Delta
Air Lines, Aviation Technical Services, Safran, AIM Altitude, MRO
Holdings, Airbus and the FDA.
ANTIMICROBIAL
COATING
MicroShield 360 is an EPA-registered, FDA-approved antimicrobial
coating system that is claimed to kill 99.99% of pathogens, including
bacteria, viruses, mould, algae, yeast, mildew, fungi and odours. It can play
a role in helping to protect passengers and crew from a range of illnesses
including MRSA, E. coli, Norovirus, C. diff, flu strains, gram-positive and gramnegative
bacteria, enveloped viruses including the common cold, and more than
90 additional diseases and conditions.
The protocol for MicroShield 360 requires that the aircraft cabin be cleaned
thoroughly prior to a three-step treatment that takes less than two hours on a large
aircraft. The first step is a electrostatic disinfectant application; next, the application
of a specially formulated disinfectant to all surfaces that air-dries within minutes;
and finally, the application of a coating formula that imparts a biostatic
finish to treated surfaces, preventing pathogens
from living on them for up to one year.
Constant Aviation is the only
aircraft MRO licensed to apply the
treatment in aircraft cabins. The
company is currently testing
the product’s effectiveness
against Covid-19 in a
laboratory setting.
Boeing has developed an anti-viral,
anti-bacterial polymer coating that
can be applied to seat areas such
as armrests and tray tables, and
other surfaces such as glass, metal,
fabric and plastics. The polymer
works by disrupting the microbe’s
outer shell and dehydrating the area
around the microbe. It is ‘smart’ and
adaptable, changing shape based on
the environment (heat, fluids, acidity)
to kill the microbe, and self-cleans to
prevent surface fouling. This selfcleaning
capability enables the coating
to remain effective for longer, lasting
for a year or more before reapplication.
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com