If you work in food processing, you already know how wash-downs, acidic cleaners, moisture and heat can cause wear and stress on the equipment. Many food processing facilities try to coat the metal, such as stainless steel, in order to extend the life of the equipment. That’s where electroless nickel plating in food processing can help.
What is Electroless Nickel Plating in Food Processing?
Electroless nickel plating bonds a nickel-phosphorus alloy directly onto a metal surface using a chemical reaction instead of an electrical current. Electroless nickel plating works best as a protection coating as it coats the metal evenly without build-up on edges or thin out in recessed areas. For food processing equipment with complex shapes such as mixing paddles, conveyor parts or valve components.
EN-CHRO Plating, a surface finishing company in Melrose Park, Illinois, offers both high phosphorus (10%+) and medium phosphorus (5%–9%) electroless nickel baths. High phosphorus is the best choice when food processing equipment is working in harsh environments. Medium phosphorus offers a balance of hardness and wear resistance and works well for most general food processing applications. EN-CHRO Plating can coat parts up to 165 inches long.
Why Food Processing Equipment?
Food plants are harsh equipment due to keeping the environment clean with chemicals, standing moisture, high-pressure washdowns, and constant mechanical contact with the food product.
Electroless nickel plating stands the test of time in these harsh environments. It’s widely used on food processing machinery because it performs in wet and chemically aggressive environments. It also provides lubrication in hard-to-reach areas, which means less friction and less wear on components that are difficult to service.
The FDA Regulations
A coating on food contact surfaces has to meet regulatory requirements. Electroless nickel coatings can be certified compliant with FDA requirements under CFR Title 21 §175.300, the federal regulation covering materials that contact food. EN-CHRO Plating’s processes are specifically built to comply with FDA standards for both food and medical device applications.
What About Hardness and Durability?
Electroless nickel coating hits RC 48–52 on the Rockwell scale. That is already solid wear resistance. However, if you put the food processing equipment through heat treatment, you’re looking at RC 68–70. For equipment in high-wear situations, that can be a meaningful to your investment long term as well as less downtime for your operation.
EN-CHRO Plating runs a 750°F gas-fired walk-in oven for exactly this purpose. It handles components up to 8 feet long and is used for both adhesion improvement and hydrogen embrittlement relief.
What to do Next?
Electroless nickel plating in food processing is the solution when you need a solution that is corrosion resistance, delivers even coverage regardless of the shape of the equipment, FDA compliant and durable. If you’re evaluating surface coatings for food contact components, contact EN-CHRO Plating today at quotes@enchro.com or call us at 708-450-1250 today to get started.