Dry bulk materials such as powder, granules and food items are key components to the food processing, agriculture, construction and mining industries. Because dry bulk material handling processes high volume particles of various sizes, it places a great amount of stress on the machines and wears away at the surface of the hydraulic rods.
Risks in Dry Bulk Material Handling
Modern bulk solids are conveyed using screw, belt, pneumatic, drag chain and vibratory conveyors. Regardless of the method, internal components such as hydraulic rods are continuously exposed to grinding, scratching, chafing, impacting, and sliding contact. If the components of the machines aren’t regularly monitored, wear and tear on the surface can alter the tolerances and clearances of the hydraulic rods.
Excessive wear may also lead to contamination of the bulk material through small metal particles which compromises product quality and safety. In addition, vibration and impact from the flow of particles can add to increased noise levels over time.
Mitigating the Risks
To mitigate these risks, high-performance surface protection such as electroless nickel plating and hard chrome plating for bulk material handling equipment can help. Wear-resistant coatings provide a hardened barrier between the substrate and the abrasive material, extending the service life and stabilizing performance metrics.
EN-CHRO Plating applies both hard chrome and electroless nickel plating for dry bulk material handling applications. Hard chrome deposits are known for their high surface hardness, low friction, and strong resistance to abrasive wear and tear. These characteristics make them suitable for components exposed to sliding and particulate impact.
Electroless nickel plating offers consistent thickness from one side of the hydraulic rod to the other, providing even electroless plating on complex geometries and internal surfaces. Depending on the phosphorus content, electroless nickel can provide a balance of hardness, corrosion resistance, and dimensional control. This is a great solution for tight-tolerant components where consistency in thickness is critical for performance. By protecting these surfaces from abrasion and chemical attack, our plating processes can extend maintenance intervals, improved operational efficiency, and reduced downtime especially in demanding dry bulk material handling environments.
Next Steps to Control Risk
Contact EN-CHRO Plating today to begin your surface protection for dry bulk material handling with hard chrome or electroless nickel plating. Share with us what you are trying to accomplish, and the challenges you currently face, and our team of experts will present a solution that will reach your goals.