Polymer Seals for Food & Dairy – PTFE and UHMW
Big challenges faced in the Food and Dairy Industry
There are several major issues faced in the food and dairy industry, including:
- Temperature conditions that range from extremely high to cryogenic
- Contamination
- Exposure to harsh chemicals
- Excessive moisture
- Corrosion
- Continuous sanitation regimens
- Regulations
- Expensive shutdowns
In these industries, simple thinks like lubrication of seals and bearings become major issues because of potential contamination. Potential contaminants in the food and dairy industry are varied, ranging from lubricants, antimicrobial barrier fluids, insects, splinters of plastic or metal, to coolants. Even contamination at the microbial level can lead to very expensive recalls.
destroy an otherwise successful company. It is vital that the equipment be not only reliable but compliant with governmental regulations. More and more engineers are turning to polymer options in the design and implementation of food and dairy processing equipment. This post will focus on why polymers are an outstanding option for a specific aspect of machinery used in these industries: bushings.