| abstract |
Acrylic materials with antimicrobial activity are tumble blended, melted and extruded through an extruder. The resulting polymer compounds include an acrylic resin, such as methylmethacrylate polymers, copolymers and multipolymers, and blends thereof, silver-containing antimicrobial additives; and optional additives such as impact modifiers, flow promoters, stabilizers and coloring agents. The properties of the acrylic materials, especially the antimicrobial performance, are strongly dependent on the manufacturing process conditions, including feed resins pre-drying, residual moisture content, screw speed and melt temperature. The materials composition and manufacturing procedures are equally significant. |