Today’s cleanroom environments in the pharmaceutical and semiconductor markets require the highest level of material performance across a broad spectrum of requirements. New, sophisticated medicines are made using advanced manufacturing technologies and materials. High technology cleanroom environments often contain polymeric sheets, coatings, wall coverings, and polymeric foam for insulation. These are used to create lightweight structures, walls, partitions, ceilings, and pipe and ducting insulation.
In general, fluoropolymers and, in particular, films, coatings, and insulating foams made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) do not support the growth of mold. Covering exposed surfaces with PVDF polymer provides a high-purity “inert” surface which does not support the growth of microorganisms and provides the resistance needed to withstand the harsh chemicals used for cleaning and sterilization. Fluoropolymer-based paints and solution coatings offer another option for cleanroom designers because these coatings resist fungal growth as well.
Fungal and microbial growth resistance is very important in cleanroom environments, but also important are fire resistance and low smoke generation, low moisture absorption, insulating properties, abrasion resistance, and non-shedding properties to prevent the introduction of contaminants into the manufacturing process.
From: “Fungal, Chemical, and Fire Resistance of PVDF Foams and Polymers”
