Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020 - 18

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ask the

EXPERT

Close up of
commercial
wallcovering after
it was sprayed
with common
disinfectant.

Have Commercial Wallcoverings
'Hit a Wall' in Today's
Performance Standards?
New criteria for coatings and lacquers emerge
during the pandemic

P

By Ryan Scott
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
APV ENGINEERED COATINGS
Ryan Scott has eight years of expertise
in the research and development
of coating formulations for a variety
of industries including: aerospace,
industrial fabrics and textiles, marine
and building products. Ryan's intense
drive for learning has solved challenging
customer projects through unique,
first-to-market chemistry. Most notable
accomplishments were his one- and
two-part water-based formulations
for flexible vinyl and leather under the
VYNGUARD® Performance Coatings
brand of APV Engineered Coatings.
Ryan is an active member of the AATCC,
Cleveland Coating Society, and American
Coatings Association. He is passionate
about "Believe in Ohio", a STEM and
Entrepreneurship program for high
school students, where he volunteers.
Ryan attended the University of Akron,
earning degrees in Chemistry and
Business Management.

1020RV_p1-19.indd 18

rotection for vinyl and textiles used in commercial wallcovering
applications is a hot topic. Industries such as hospitality, education,
and healthcare demand that coatings and finishes for wallcoverings
used in harsh environments:
1. Perform safely and effectively, with long-term anti-microbial properties
2. Provide superior resistance to stains and abrasions
3. Comply with Prop 65
4. Maintain aesthetics
5. Resist degradation from frequently applied, high-concentration disinfectants
Most of these coating demands are not new. However, more emphasis is now
placed on resistance against disinfecting and cleaning, a requirement that has
been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Formulating coatings that provide resistance against common disinfectants
such as quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol,
peroxide, and chlorine (bleach), in higher than effective concentrations per the
CDC, can be challenging. These disinfectants are effective by absorbing into the
cell walls of bacteria, damaging the membrane, and killing the bacteria. However,
depending on coating chemistry, these biocides can degrade the coating film on
the vinyl surface, weakening its performance and eliminating its purpose.

Why test higher concentrations of biocides than recommended by the CDC?
All manufacturers of type I, II and III commercial vinyl wallcoverings provide
post-installation cleaning instructions, guidelines for stain removal, and/or
disinfecting processes. The CDC also has published guidelines for disinfection,
including one specifically for healthcare facilities. The Guideline for Disinfection
and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008) references how surfaces should
be cleaned per manufacturer instructions using an EPA-registered disinfectant.

9/21/20 3:51 PM
http://www.vynguard.com
Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020
