Silver ions, impregnated throughout a substrate used in gaskets and seals, come to the surface to be exchanged with ions from microbes, rapidly and continuously inhibiting their growth.
Gaskets, seals and O-rings are used in the connection of pipes, inline flowmeters and machine inlets and outlets. Gaskets and seals prevent leaks in these static applications. But they may also provide an excellent edge (surface) to snag bacteria and help them grow, often creating a biofilm that can remain after inadequate or ineffective cleaning steps.
Silver has long been known to be an excellent weapon in killing bacteria and other microbes as its ions exchange with microbial ions, killing the microbes. The challenge, however, has been to find a better way than just coating a gasket or seal with a chemical or synthetic organic-based product that sloughs off during usage, contaminating product and leaving behind an unprotected seal surface. One solution to this problem is to permanently impregnate silver ions throughout the entire elastomeric matrix with a zeolite carrier, which allows silver ions to rise to the surface in a controlled release only when needed, preventing the growth of bacteria and other microbes.