Inside the VersaHOCI® Surface Compatibility Study: Methodology & Key Technical Findings

In cleanroom and controlled manufacturing environments, the choice of disinfectants is critical—not just for microbial control, but for preserving the integrity of sensitive surfaces. Traditional disinfectants like bleach and peracetic acid are known to cause corrosion, rusting, and discoloration on metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. These effects can lead to equipment degradation, increased maintenance costs, and potential contamination risks.

To address this challenge, Berkshire conducted a comprehensive Surface Compatibility Study evaluating the impact of its hypochlorous acid-based disinfectant, VersaHOCI®, compared to two widely used alternatives: bleach (0.525% sodium hypochlorite) and a peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide blend (0.08%/1%). The study simulated both extreme and routine usage scenarios to assess how each disinfectant interacts with common cleanroom metals.

In the “worst-case” scenario, metal coupons were submerged in each disinfectant for 24 hours. In the repeated-use scenario, surfaces underwent 150 cycles of spray, dwell, wipe, and IPA rinse—mimicking six months of real-world cleaning. After each test, surfaces were evaluated for visual and textural changes such as corrosion, rusting, rouging, and discoloration.

The results were clear: VersaHOCI® demonstrated superior surface compatibility across all three metals. It caused only minor discoloration on galvanized and stainless steel and showed no interaction with aluminum. In contrast, bleach and peracetic acid solutions caused significant corrosion, rusting, and even pitting, especially on aluminum and galvanized steel.

These findings confirm that VersaHOCI® offers a powerful yet surface-safe alternative to traditional disinfectants, making it ideal for long-term use in sensitive environments.