Updated November 18, 2019
Bioquell has spent the last 20 years developing and optimising decontamination using Hydrogen Peroxide
Vapour. The process involves producing the Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour in a generator and recirculating this
through the enclosure being decontaminated. The air will reach saturation or dew point, at which point the air
cannot carry any more Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour so it lays down a thin layer, ≈5μm, of micro-condensation
on the surfaces. It is this Hydrogen Peroxide condensate which kills the micro-organisms.
The Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour is then removed either via the building or equipment extract system, or a
catalytic filter which breaks it down into water and oxygen, or a combination of both.
Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidiser and this can have a detrimental effect on some materials. This document
aims to give advice to people selecting materials which will be exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
The quick links below will direct you to the specific materials you are interested in and the results associated
with the testing.
Quick Links:
• Testing of Materials
• Compatibility of Metals
• Compatibility of Ceramics
• Compatibility of Plastics
• Compatibility of Elastomers
• Compatibility of Mastics and Sealants
• Compatibility of Composites and Miscellaneous Items
• Paint Systems and coatings
• Cleanroom Panels
• Instruments, Computers and Other Equipment
• Area preparation
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Testing of Materials
The data in this document is derived from many years of testing. The standard test involves running 40 cycles
in a 27 to 30 m3 room with a starting temperature of between 20 and 25°C and a relative humidity of 35% to
65%, and test samples are placed at high level, low level and a third outside as an unexposed control. The
amount of liquid used is 14g/m3, which equates to a total of 385g in the test room. The room is aerated to at
least 10ppm. This test gives a high degree of confidence whether a material is compatible with Hydrogen
Peroxide Vapour in a room environment. Additional considerations should be taken into account if the
application has a high number of cycles, i.e. more than 1 a week, such as a pass-through chamber.
Pictured: Example of high
and low level placements
for test samples
Bioquell is able to conduct material compatibility testing for companies based on the method described.
It should be noted that other factors, apart from material compatibility can be important when choosing a
material. The biggest of these is the materials propensity to absorb and then de-absorb Peroxide, as this can
have significant effects on the total cycle time as it will extend the aeration phase.
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Compatibility of Metals
Name Standard Compatible Catalyst Comments
Copper Yes Yes Will oxidise producing a green
deposit, ought to be coated with a
protective layer
Mild Steel Yes if coated Not Will be oxidised (rust) unless
tested coated. See sections on paint
systems & coatings, and
cleanroom panels
Tool Steel EN16T Yes Not
tested
EN8 Yes Not
tested
Stainless Steel EN 10088-3:2005 Yes Not
type 1.4305 (303) tested
EN 10088-3:2005 Yes Yes Compatible but is a moderate
type 1.4301 (304) catalyst.
EN 10088-3:2005 Yes Yes Very mild catalyst and so this
type 1.4401 (316) effect can be ignored in most
instances
EN 10088-3:2005 Yes Yes Very mild catalyst and so this
type 14404 (316L) effect can be ignored in most
instances
Galvanised Steel Yes* Yes See further comments
Aluminium 6XXX series Yes No Will get an oxide layer on the
5XXX series surface, if not desirable: paint or
1XXX series clear anodise.
Aluminium (Cast) BS1490:1988 LM6 Yes No
BS1490:1988LM25
Aluminium BS1490:1988LM26 No No Produces a black deposit
(Cast)
Brass CZ108 Yes Not Will accelerate oxidisation,
Tested changing colour to more gold.
Brass CZ121 Yes Not Will accelerate oxidisation,
Tested changing colour to more gold.
Phosphor Bronze BS1400:1985 Yes Not Were signs of surface oxidation
Tested
*Galvanised steel may produce ‘white rust’, hydrated zinc carbonate/zinc hydroxide when exposed to
Hydrogen peroxide. The galvanized steel should have been allowed to naturally build up its zinc oxide
protective layer prior to exposure of Hydrogen peroxide.
Compatibility of Ceramics
All silica and glass ceramics which have ever been tested have been unaffected by Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
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Compatibility of Plastics
Name Acronym Compatible Comments
Polypropylene PP Yes Very good resistance, and can be used to
store liquid H2O2.
High density Polyethylene HDPE Yes Very good resistance, and can be used to
store liquid H2O2.
Low density Polyethylene LDPE Yes Very good resistance
Homo-polymer acetyl POM Yes Is resistant to vapour, but not to liquid
(Delrin) Hydrogen Peroxide
Co-polymer acetyl POM-C Yes Is resistant to vapour, but not to liquid
Hydrogen Peroxide
Polycarbonate PC Yes Good, but ensure stresses are not induced
(Lexan) during fabrication, e.g. hot forming
Acrylic PMMA Yes* Only resistant if stress free, most material is
Plexiglass/ Perspex) extruded which is highly stressed.
Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Yes Very good resistance
(Teflon)
Polyether ether ketone PEEK Yes Good resistance
Nylon PA No PA6 is particularly susceptible and will
produce a white deposit on the surface and
then crumble after repeated exposure, over
100 cycles. PA 66 will last significantly longer,
over 500 cycles, and adding a filler such as
glass may also increase its life. Eventually all
Nylons will fail.
Polyester PET/PETG Yes Good resistance
ABS Yes Good resistance
Poly vinyl Chloride uPVC Yes Good resistance
uPVC-C Yes Good resistance
PVDF Yes Good Resistance
Polybutylene terephthalate PBT Yes Good Resistance
Polystyrene PS Yes Good Resistance
Polypheylene Sulfide PPS Yes Tested part had 65% glass content
Polyurethane PU Yes Good resistance
Urea No Crumbles after repeated exposure, on thicker
items crazing will be seen on the surface.
Compatibility of Elastomers
Name Symbol Compatible Comments
Silicone Si Yes Very good resistance, preferred gasket material
Neoprene Yes
EPDM Yes
Viton FPM/FKM Yes
Nitrile NBR / Buna-N Yes* Nitrile will become brittle and weak after repeated exposures,
requires more than 100 cycles.
TPE/TPR Yes
Compatibility of Mastics and Sealants
Name Compatible Comments
Dow Corning 785 Yes
Dow Corning 786 Yes
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Compatibility of Composites and Miscellaneous Items
Name Compatible Comments
Corian GW (DuPont) Yes
Igus A350 Yes
Paint Systems and coatings
Often it is necessary to paint or treat materials, below advice is given in choosing appropriate coatings. Clean
room panels are a special case and is covered in the next section.
Paint systems for metals
The best paint system for either steel or other metals is a powder coat. This is a polyester or epoxy powder
which is sprayed onto the material and then oven baked. This produces an impervious layer which is
completely resistant to Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
Wet paint systems on aluminium are generally without issue if a conversion coating has been applied. More
care has to be taken when applied to steel especially galvanised steel, where in almost all cases is not
compatible. See the following section for more details of this. Stainless steel ought to have its surface
roughened by shot blasting prior to painting to provide a good key.
Aluminium coatings
Aluminium is often anodised, this has the advantage that it prevents aluminium oxide forming on the surface.
Clear anodise should always be used, as coloured anodises will change quickly to become clear in very few
exposures often transitioning through a purple colour. If the aluminium is to have just a conversion coating,
then MacDermid Iridite NCP is known to be Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour compatible.
Plasterboard / Drywall
Most standard paints including emulsions will not be affected by Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour if they have been
applied in accordance to manufacturer’s instructions.
Gloss Paints
Gloss paints are prone to blistering and are not recommended.
Cleanroom Panels
Many cleanrooms are made from prefabricated steel panels for both the walls and ceilings. These panels are
often made from pre-painted galvanised steel. Bioquell has done a lot of testing and research of such panels,
and our advice is the following panels are compatible with Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour:
Panels which have a 120μm PVC film as the top layer (e.g. Tata Steel Advantica L Control)
Panels which have a PET film as the top layer (e.g. Tata Steel Advantica CL Clean)
Other pre-coating treatments involve the application of wet paint systems using: Polyester, PVDF,
Polyurethane, or epoxy on the galvanise steel. These have varying degrees of resistance but over multiple
cycles are shown to not be compatible with Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
Powder coating systems on top of galvanised steel are compatible as well as the films.
Cleanrooms can also be made of, or have an external surface made from: solid PVC panels, high quality HPL
(High pressure laminate) and GRP (Glass reinforced polyester) panels.
Particular care should be taken over doors, door and window frames as these can also be made from
incompatible pre painted galvanised steel material.
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Instruments, Computers and Other Equipment
Being residue free, Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour has excellent materials compatibility with a wide range of
electronic equipment. Generally, equipment should be clean (free from dust / grease), dry, the shutdown and
opened up in order to allow free ingress of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour and maximise the exposed surface area.
Computers however, should be left running in order to allow the internal cooling fan to draw the vapour into
the unit to bio-decontaminate the internal surfaces. Recently, on a few rare occasions, computer monitors
have been affected by Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour exposure, by the front protective screen forming some
bubbles. These bubbles can start to appear up to few weeks after exposure to Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
Many optical instruments have a specialist, proprietary coating on their lenses. Whilst we have not seen any
issues with lens coatings, Bioquell recommend that any accessible lenses are wiped down, in line with any
manufacturer’s instructions, and covered during the bio-decontamination process.
Equipment that removes air from a facility, e.g. ducted microbiological safety cabinets, should be shutdown
during the bio-decontamination process however the work chamber should be opened to allow exposure to the
Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour process.
Larger equipment (filling machines, rack washers) should be fully isolated, and where safe to do so, all electrical
cabinets / service voids should be opened to allow ingress of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour.
A study 1 was carried out on Physiological Monitors in a hospital which showed a reduction in call outs for repair
of the equipment for the 8 years after the introduction of regular Bio-decontamination with Bioquell equipment,
compared to the previous 5 years.
For any specific advice please contact Bioquell directly. Area preparation details are listed on the following page.
1Boyce et al, “Compatibility of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Room Decontamination with Physiological Monitors” Infection Control and
Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 35, No. 1 (January 2014), pp 92-93
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Area preparation
Bioquell’s Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour technology is a surface decontamination process. Therefore it is critical
that all surfaces are exposed so preparation is important. The following points give an overview of how an area
should be set-up prior to bio-decontamination.
DRY SURFACES: In order to avoid dilution of the hydrogen peroxide and affect the dew point of
the vapour then the surfaces of the room, including equipment, should be dry.
CLEANING: Bioquell Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour technology does not replace manual cleaning. If
there is gross contamination – e.g. high levels of dust – then the efficacy of the process will be
severely reduced. It should also be noted that certain bacteria can remain viable in dust for long
periods. Hence, for the bio-decontamination cycle to work well the rooms should be subject to
rigorous cleaning; it is not possible to over emphasise the importance of thorough cleaning of
the room prior to decontamination.
EXPOSING SURFACES: Bioquell’s HPV system is a surface bio-decontamination process and
therefore if the vapour cannot penetrate into a particular place then no bio-deactivation will
occur. As a result, all cupboards and drawers should be opened to allow ingress of Hydrogen
Peroxide Vapour, whilst absorbent items e.g. cardboard boxes or consumables, should be
removed, if possible.
MINIMISE OCCLUDED SURFACES: Large volumes of materials (consumables, PPE, etc.) present a
challenge when ensuing all surfaces are exposed to the process. Where possible, stocks should
be run down prior to the bio-decontamination and any materials remaining should be spread on
racking or similar to maximise exposure.
AVOIDING EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE: Very hot or cold equipment (i.e. incubators and
refrigerators) should be turned off as temperature gradients may affect the Hydrogen Peroxide
Vapour process. Ideally the room temperature will be >15 and <30 °C.
NORMALLY ACTIVE AIRPATHS: With the exception of the HVAC system and dedicated fume
hoods (which should be bio-decontaminated separately), equipment which has normally active
air paths (such as computers) should be left running to ensure a good vapour distribution within
the equipment. Bioquell’s research has shown that our process achieves a full deactivation within
items with cooling / recirculation fans ensuring that recontamination of the area does not occur
through this type of equipment.
Disclaimer: Please note that this document comprises marketing literature and is for summary information purposes only; customers or potential customers must not rely
upon the contents of this document. Bioquell UK Ltd. or its affiliates, distributors, agents or licensees (together ‘Bioquell’) reserve the right to make changes to the contents
of this document at any time and without prior notification. Use Bioquell CI Cards safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Bioquell is a registered
trademark of Bioquell UK Ltd. © (2019). All rights reserved. TD041-SP-001
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