Food Grade Thermoplastic PH Resistance

Introduction

Designing components using food-grade compliant thermoplastics provides better corrosion resistance over metals with the added benefit of lightweight and excellent sliding properties. However, not all plastics are created equal, so it is crucial to understand how plastics can also be affected when exposed to aggressive chemistries or foods with varying PH levels. 

The chart below looks at some of the common thermoplastic materials used on food automation equipment. This gives a general guideline for their performance when exposed to aggressive and corrosive sanitizing chemicals.

While some of these materials have similar resistance to chemicals, additional factors must be considered when choosing compatible materials. The concentration of chemistry, frequency of exposure, surface finish, pressure, and temperature factor into the part’s overall performance and life. Many customers that replace metal parts with engineered plastics often note a number of positive benefits even if the initial part costs more. 

A Wet Process tool designer does not have the same concerns for material selection as a Back End Test socket designer and those concerns are changing with the market. That said, from Port Plastics perspective, there are six distinct segments from which we need to offer the market a portfolio of cutting edge plastic portfolios:

• REDUCED SURFACE DEGRADATION AND PITTING
• REDUCED MAINTENANCE
• REDUCED DOWNTIME REDUCED PART FAILURE
• LONGER LASTING PARTS
• OVERALL COST SAVINGS 

FOOD OEMS & PROCESSORS DESIRE CONSUMABLE COMPONENTS RESISTANT TO VARIOUS CHEMICAL WASHDOWNS. PORTS PLASTICS UNDERSTANDS THAT THE RISK OF COMPONENT FAILURE INCREASES WITH TIME. WE OFFER A COMPLETE PORTFOLIO OF FOOD GRADE