Q: Durability Assessment

Test brushes were fitted to the Vikan robotic test rig and ‘used’ continually for 24 hours. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: No visible change after repeated use. Læs mere

Q: Surface Finish Assessment

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The surface roughness (Ra) of a product is related to its cleanability. The Ra of UST brushware was evaluated using a surface profilometer, at various positions on the brush. For each, the stylus was dragged over a set sampling length. An Ra of less than of 0.8 μm (EHEDG guidance) is acceptable. Results: All measurements of Ra were less than 0.8 μm Læs mere

Q: EU & FDA Compliance Assessments

EU and FDA food contact safety compliance assessments conducted by Eurofins, DK. For EU compliance assessments, the overall migration of chemicals, from triplicate UST brushware samples into 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid and olive oil, was determined after total immersion (according to EN 1186-2 and EN 1186-3) in the simulants for 18 hours, at 40°C. Result: All UST brushware are fully compliant with EU and FDA regulations in regard to food contact safety. Læs mere

Q: Fully Moulded Assessment

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The internal structure of UST brushes was investigated for crevices using X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT). This is a non-destructive technique that allows the internal structure of objects to be imaged and measured. Result: No visible crevices were seen within or between any of the components of the UST brushware. Læs mere

Question 1

Bristle Security Test

Accepted Answer

Bristle fixation strength (measured in Newtons) was assessed using a bristle pull test machine. Five bristles, each at a defined position within each Filament Security Unit were pull tested. The average, standard deviation and percentage variance of the results were calculated. Results: Average fixation strength assessed to be acceptable and with very little deviation. Læs mere

Question 2

Chemical Resistance Test

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were placed into five different industrial cleaning chemical solutions for 24 hours. Result: No visible change after chemical exposure. Læs mere

Question 3

Strength Test

Accepted Answer

UST hand scrub brushes were subjected to load testing, at the point where the handle joined the brush head. Their strength was compared to equivalent resin hand scrub brushes. Result: The UST brushware were stronger than the resin brushes. Læs mere

Question 4

Heat/Cold Shock Test

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were repeatedly placed into a domestic oven at 80°C and then removed and transferred immediately into a domestic freezer (approx. -18°C). Result: No visible change after repeated heating and cooling. Læs mere

Question 5

Autoclave Test

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were repeatedly autoclaved at 121°C for 20 minutes. Result: No visible change after autoclaving. Læs mere

Question 6

Dishwasher Test

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were repeatedly processed in an industrial dishwasher, using a commercial detergent, at 93ºC. Result: Fine filaments (<0.3mm) in all drilled and stapled, resin set, drilled and stapled resins set, and UST brushware were bent by the force of the dishwasher water jets. This effect can be minimised through appropriate placement of the products in the dishwasher. All other UST products showed no visible change. Læs mere

Question 7

Durability Assessment

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were fitted to the Vikan robotic test rig and ‘used’ continually for 24 hours. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: No visible change after repeated use. Læs mere

Question 8

Surface Finish Assessment

Accepted Answer

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The surface roughness (Ra) of a product is related to its cleanability. The Ra of UST brushware was evaluated using a surface profilometer, at various positions on the brush. For each, the stylus was dragged over a set sampling length. An Ra of less than of 0.8 μm (EHEDG guidance) is acceptable. Results: All measurements of Ra were less than 0.8 μm Læs mere

Question 9

EU & FDA Compliance Assessments

Accepted Answer

EU and FDA food contact safety compliance assessments conducted by Eurofins, DK. For EU compliance assessments, the overall migration of chemicals, from triplicate UST brushware samples into 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid and olive oil, was determined after total immersion (according to EN 1186-2 and EN 1186-3) in the simulants for 18 hours, at 40°C. Result: All UST brushware are fully compliant with EU and FDA regulations in regard to food contact safety. Læs mere

Question 10

Fully Moulded Assessment

Accepted Answer

Conducted by Campden BRI, UK. The internal structure of UST brushes was investigated for crevices using X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT). This is a non-destructive technique that allows the internal structure of objects to be imaged and measured. Result: No visible crevices were seen within or between any of the components of the UST brushware. Læs mere

Question 11

Functionality Assessment

Accepted Answer

Test brush functionality was visually assessed after cleaning laminate flooring prepared with appropriate soil types (both wet and dry cleaned) using the Vikan robotic rig. The speed, pressure and movement of the brush were set to mimic those experienced by each brush type during use. Result: All UST brushes functioned as well as if not better than their drilled and stapled equivalent. Læs mere

Question 12

Cleanability Assessment

Accepted Answer

Test brushes were smeared with UV reactive lotion, cleaned by vigorous dunking in and out of warm soapy water and then visually examined in a UV cabinet to assess the extent of any remaining ‘contamination’. UST brushware cleanability was compared to that of drilled and stapled; resin; drilled and stapled resin; and fused filament brushware. Result: UST brushes were more effectively cleaned than any of the other brushware samples. Læs mere

Safety

Bristle Security Test

Chemical Resistance Test

Strength Test

Heat/Cold Shock Test

Autoclave Test

Dishwasher Test

Durability Assessment

Surface Finish Assessment

EU & FDA Compliance Assessments

Fully Moulded Assessment

Functionality Assessment

Cleanability Assessment

Difference Explained

Drilled & stapled

Resin set, drilled & stapled

UST

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