One of the goals of clean rooms is to keep the environment extremely clean and prepared to receive the production and the professionals who work there.
In the Pharmaceutical Industries, this is no different, in fact, care must be even greater, especially when we talk about rounded corners in the production of medicines.
Levels of pollutants, particulates and other contaminants must be at the minimum allowable level. A rounded corner should have a radius or angle of 45º instead of the traditional 90º of room corners.
That's because rounded corners are necessary to ensure they are clean and not straight, as they help reduce material build-up and simplify the cleaning process.
In this article you will understand more about this subject and find out which are the best materials to be used for this purpose.
Grab the coffee ☕ and Good reading!
Choosing the material
Rounded corners are usually made of metal, aluminum, plaster or plastic, depending on regulatory standards.
The materials are designed to withstand constant cleaning and each type has its benefits:
- Aluminum: good choice if there is a concern about impact and corrosion resistance, plus it is easy to add finishes to further enhance its properties.
- PVC: can be reinforced with materials such as glass or metal, while their surface can withstand intensive and frequent cleaning.
- Polystyrene: can be reinforced with materials such as glass or metal, while their surface can withstand intensive and frequent cleaning.
- Wood: this type of finish is generally used for decorative rather than functional purposes, and even sealed, they do not withstand the deterioration inherent in cleanroom environments.
- Plaster: were the most traditional before the emergence of alternative solutions. As effective as plaster is in other applications – such as restorations, for example – it is heavy and fragile.
Reinforced polyurethane: cheap, lightweight, and easy to install in highly customized ways, as it can mold itself around windows and other decorative elements. Unfortunately, it is not considered a very durable material.
Installation
If the installation of the rounded corners is not done correctly, the integrity of the cleanroom is compromised, causing many problems at the time of production and handling of medicines.
A correct installation eliminates straight corners and prevents any contamination by biological, chemical or other agents. But if the installation is not safe, build-up and contamination can occur.
There are essential factors to consider when installing rounded corners, such as:
- The materials used must be perfectly uniform to facilitate cleaning.
- All seals that will be used to join the material in the installation must use FDA approved silicones.
- All materials must be able to withstand constant use of industrial decontaminants.
These are small details that compromise an entire production chain, if done incorrectly.
Therefore, it is extremely important to have a company specialized and experienced in clean rooms when designing and building yours.
And for that, you can count on Asmontec Salas Limpas, which has been in the cleanroom market for over 26 years, ensuring protection and commitment to the integrity of people, products and environments.
