Antibacterial solid surface materials with restorable antibacterial effectiveness

A method for restoring the antibacterial effectiveness of an antibacterial solid surface material comprising a matrix of at least one resin;

• at least one filler dispersed throughout the matrix;
• and at least one antibacterial agent dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the solid surface material has an outer surface, at an initial time (t0), with an initial antibacterial activity value within 24 hours of sample incubation (Δt0@24 h) that is greater than zero, wherein at a first later time (t1), wherein t1>t0, the outer surface has a first later antibacterial activity value within 24 hours of sample incubation (Δt1@24 h) wherein (Δt1@24 h) is less than (Δt024 h), the method comprising:
• at a second later time (t2), wherein t2>t1, actively removing a portion of the outer surface of the solid surface material to provide a second outer surface on the solid surface material, the second outer surface having a second later antibacterial activity value within 24 hours of sample incubation (Δt2@24 h) such that it satisfies the Equation I below:
• (Δt2@24 h)>0 and (Δt2@24 h)>(Δt1@24 h) Equation (I)
• wherein the active removal step can be repeated whenever necessary to restore the antibacterial effectiveness of the solid surface material, and
• wherein
• (a) a reduction of antibacterial activity from time t0 to t1 includes exposure of the solid surface material to household cleaner,
• (b) the one resin comprises acrylic,
• (c) the filler comprises alumina trihydrate,
• (d) the active removal step is by abrasion.