Novel coating keeps speed reducers cleaner longer

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 29, 2004

New from Boston Gear, Stainless Bost-Kleen (SBK) is a washdown protection treatment for speed reducers in aggressive washdown applications.

New from Boston Gear, Stainless Bost-Kleen (SBK) is a washdown protection treatment for speed reducers in aggressive washdown applications.

Designed by chemists and tested in rigorous food production environments, the SBK coating prevents wear and cracking caused by caustic washdown chemicals and high pressure washdowns as well as scratches that may occur from contact during installation and operation.

Available on all Boston Gear speed reducers, this coating ensures that the product maintains a durable, smooth finish that prevents rust and reduces the possibility of unwanted bacteria growth.

"In these times of heightened awareness of foodborne illness such as Listeria and E Coli, the importance of eliminating rust is at an all-time high", states John F Krotzer, Market Manager for Food Processing at Boston Gear.

"The danger with rust is that it provides a rough surface on which bacteria can cling and multiply".

"Replace the possibility of rust with a nice smooth surface, and that is one less thing the processor needs to worry about".

The secret to the new SBK's durability and performance lies with the specific epoxies and curing agents used as well as the process employed to apply them.

SBK uses a Bisphenol-F (or Bis-F) type epoxy, which offers a much higher level of chemical, pressure, and thermal resistance than standard so-called "washdown" coatings offered by others, thanks to the manner in which it crosslinks with the curing agent.

Independent tests have confirmed that the new SBK washdown coating system outlasts similar systems offered by competing gearbox manufacturers.

The new SBK product has been tested at several food production facilities that employ extremely caustic, high pressure washdown.

One of those facilities was Henningsen Foods egg processing plant in David City, Nebraska.

Darrell Kahler, Assistant Plant Manager, was impressed.

"The typical paint or coating systems used on supposed 'washdown duty' gearboxes start showing signs of distress within the first couple of weeks, but Boston Gear's new Stainless Bost-Kleen is different", he says.

"For us, speed reducers with the new SBK treatment are a great alternative to the high price of stainless steel".

In engineering the new coating, Boston Gear listened to customers like Henningsen Foods to ensure success in these harsh production conditions.

"In our extensive voice-of-the-customer (VOC) analysis, it became clear that caustic washdown solution was not the only cause of paint chipping and rust", says Ralph Whitley, Director of Engineering, Boston Gear.

"During installation and operation, the gearbox can endure abrasive contact with tools or is scratched or dropped during the process of unpacking and stocking".

"With the old style epoxies available on the market, one small scratch is all the washdown solution needs to get under the paint, causing it all to fall off in as quickly as a few days".

"Boston Gear's new SBK was designed to both tolerate additional abuse without scratching and to maintain the integrity of the washdown protection if a scratch does occur".

"Simply stated, you don't need to handle this gearbox with kid gloves in order to enjoy the washdown protection you need", adds Whitley.

The new Stainless Bost-Kleen is USDA and FDA accepted, is BISSC certified, and is available on all Boston Gear speed reducers.