Experience with construction materials in process equipment

A project financed by the Danish Agency for Science and Innovation.

In the food industry stainless steel is traditionally used, and not always without problems. There is a need to find new alternative materials that can substitute stainless steel. In this project stainless steel is tested and compared to two alternative materials, plastics and aluminium.

Polymeric materials are lightweight, non-corrosive and can be mass produced cheaply and effectively compared to metals. Composites are corrosion resistant and their strength compares with steel and aluminium alloys. Composites have a better strength to weight relationship than metals and among their other advantages can be mentioned greater ease of design as well as production related benefits.

The project goal is to perform a screening of the experience in the food industry with construction materials for process equipment. Based on these experiences, some problematic process equipment pieces were chosen for further analysis, keeping in mind the project’s time frame and budget. A systematic procedure for material selection was worked out and a list of alternative materials drawn up. These materials were then tested in situ during production. Parallel to this, accelerated testing was performed in the lab with a view to predicting long term durability in the strongly corrosive environment. After exposure, the alternative materials were tested for ease of cleansing.

The project concluded with suggested design and materials changes to the equipment pieces from the chosen cases. The findings in the project form a basis for revision of the guidelines for use of construction materials and design in the food industry.

A report describing the project has been prepared.

DMN members can read publications about the project in Danish here >

For further information, please contact:

• Dorte Walzl Bælum
• Network Director
• B.Sc. Chem. Eng., M.Sc. in Business
• M: 60 35 19 90
• E: dwb@dmn-net.com