Design engineers are taking a close look at ceramic coatings in light of a growing demand for part and product reliability, longer life and reduced component costs. Today, ceramic coatings are turning up in critical applications as ultra-reliable seals, coupler, bushings, pistons and many other components in the chemical, petroleum, and other industries.
Up to 12 on the MOHS scale. Only diamond is harder. Stainless steels average 8.
Ceramic coatings are recommended for resistance to wear by abrasive grains, hard surfaces, particle erosion, and cavitation, at all temperatures below 1,000 deg. F. These coatings also have excellent self-mating and anti-galling properties
Conductivity is 1/10 of brass. For the mechanical engineer, they are thermal insulators, retaining or excluding heat.
Ceramic coatings are insoluble in acids, alkalis and alcohol.
Only hydrofluoric acids and intense caustic solutions can cause deterioration, and 99% alumina content may handle these.
Coating applications are found in industries such as air transportation, motor vehicles, pumps, compressors, machine tools, steel production, pulp and paper mills, electric production and many others.
Most common applications are pump sleeves, machine spindles, sealing surfaces on production equipment, wire drawing equipment, pump plungers, mechanical seals, wear rings, cylinder liners, exhaust fans, hydraulic brakes, palm guides, oil distributor shafts, water turbine buckets, computer recording heads, polishing fixtures, printing rolls, pump impellers, valve seats, sealing caps and flanges.
Correspondence from the Food and Drug Administration states that plasma ceramic coatings are acceptable for food contact.
The reference is for Eutectic-Castolin Metaceram Ceramic Powder and of course, the publication is of U.S. Origin.
We have reviewed the formulation and conclude that there is little or no likelihood of migration of components of the ceramic under repeated use condition. Therefore, we find this ceramic suitable for repeated use with food contact for the interior of a pump.
Canadian Approval is the responsibility of Heath & Welfare Canada and/or Agriculture Canada – Food Production and Inspection.
Typical cases could include the following:
Intended for use in repeated use in contact with food.
Intended for repeated use with food.
Intended for 1 time use in contact with food.
Intended for food contact films
Intended for use in contact with food at temperatures exceeding 120 Deg F.
Intended for use for packaging, transporting, or holding food.
Intended for use in contact with all types of food.