| abstract |
Antimicrobial/antifungal fluid conduits (are extruded, co-extruded, molded and/or otherwise thermoformed or thermoset), and films formed on non-thermoplastic conduit walls. One or more inorganic antimicrobial agents are selectively dispersed and concentrated near a surface at which antimicrobial/antifungal properties are desired. The agents resist wear from repeated fluid flows through embedding in a thin thermoplastic layer disposed upon the conduit wall. The fluid conduits preferably comprise high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET, PE, PP, ABS, PVC, Styrene, EVA) in at least one structurally supportive layer and the same or other thermoplastic or thermoset polymer in the thin inner layer including the antimicrobial agents. |