July 31 2020  |  Seating

Material monologues with SEKISUI KYDEX

By Special to PAX Tech

This is a special feature from PAX Tech's July Cabin Hygiene, Seating & IFEC 2020 edition.

KYDEX ION Technology™ by SEKISUI KYDEX incorporates antimicrobial protection into KYDEX® thermoplastic sheet which does not wear off over time and interferes with microbe DNA to prevent cells from multiplying on the sheet surface and inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria and fungi

New innovations to help travelers feel safe in the cabin come to life seemingly on a daily basis. RedCabin’s third installment of its webinar series, entitled “Enjoying a Safe Aircraft Cabin,” discussed how aircraft interiors materials can be significant in creating a clean and reliable aircraft cabin. Industry leaders pointed out that it was not only the inherently antimicrobial materials that made a difference, but also their ability to withstand strong cleaning agents. In response to this industry need, SEKISUI KYDEX seeks to help the aviation industry build passenger confidence through their antimicrobial product portfolio.

One of these materials is KYDEX ION Technology™ by SEKISUI KYDEX. It incorporates premium antimicrobial protection into KYDEX® thermoplastic sheet which does not wear off over time. This protection interferes with microbe DNA to prevent cells from multiplying on the sheet surface and inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria and fungi. KYDEX ION Technology is ideal for high touch areas such as tray tables, seat backs, armrests, IFE bezels, privacy panels, monuments and lavatory surfaces.

While KYDEX ION Technology is SEKISUI KYDEX’s latest innovation, KYDEX Thermoplastics have always been inherently antimicrobial. The KYDEX Thermoplastics product portfolio includes KYDEX MB, the original antimicrobial product line, launched in 2009. Because antimicrobial technologies have evolved since these initial developments, teams at SEKISUI KYDEX have created the next generation of high performance, antimicrobial treated thermoplastic sheet with KYDEX ION Technology. It is engineered to help build consumer confidence regarding high touch surfaces, SEKISUI KYDEX tells PAX Tech.

“Passenger confidence is a major focus of the evolving passenger experience,” says Ben Smalley, Aviation Market Business Manager at SEKISUI KYDEX. “Using materials such as KYDEX ION Technology that are chemically resistant, antimicrobial, and will not be stained by harsh cleaning agents can bring reassurance and peace of mind to the aviation industry and passengers alike.”

After testing the product, results demonstrate that KYDEX Thermoplastics are not adversely affected by industry leading cleaners and disinfectants, and perform without loss of surface finish, color fastness, or degradation of mechanical and physical properties.

“These chemical reagents can have an adverse effect on competitor surfaces, causing discoloration, brittleness, staining, and product failure,” says Sean M. Stabler, Research and Innovation Manager at SEKISUI KYDEX. “Using the right materials and understanding their compatibility with disinfectants are vital to ensuring a long, functional life.”

But that doesn’t mean durable, antimicrobial treated materials have to be boring.

SEKISUI KYDEX seeks to help industries with this hurdle as well. Using Infused Imaging Technology, a proprietary process that embeds imagery into thermoplastic material, industry leaders and designers can let creativity flow. “Because the imagery is in the material, it will not chip, fade, or delaminate the way capped and traditionally printed images can,” says Smalley.

Infused Imaging Technology can be used in tandem with any KYDEX thermoplastic, including KYDEX ION Technology.

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