29 Apr 2003
Natural lubrication and high heat resistance with Victrex® PEEK™ polymer conveyor belt chains
Yamakyu Chain Co. Ltd., Tokyo, has selected Victrex® PEEK™ polymer as the material of choice for its slat band chains for conveyor systems. The chains withstand exposure to temperatures as high as 250° C, run at a rate of 200 meter per minute without lubrication and provide inherent chemical resistance and antistatic properties.
The chains have an ideal fit on high-speed beverage and food processing lines, where high heat resistance and superior chemical resistance are especially required. Traditionally the food processing industry has used intermesh, low friction transfer plates made from acetal. However, acetal plastic’s low heat resistance of 80°C prohibits its use in high temperature environments. Furthermore, Victrex® PEEK™ polymer offers superior long-term resistance against detergent (including chlorine and hydrogen peroxide), and can also withstand UV sterilization.
Stainless steel has been used typically for chains requiring high heat resistance. However, to ensure smooth operation, stainless steel chains need lubrication, which creates adhesion problems and product contamination. Conveyor belt chains made from Victrex® PEEK™ polymer, on the other hand, require no lubrication and are a third of the weight of stainless steel chains. This allows motor downsizing, which saves power and reduces operating noise.
A leading manufacturer of slat band chains for conveyers, Yamakyu is focused on offering customers a total solution, from chain selection to the design and manufacture of a complete conveyor system to meet individual requirements. Building on the success of PEEK® polymer chains in the food processing industry, Yamakyu is actively promoting their use in a wide variety of industrial applications.
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £59m in the last financial year. The company exports 97 percent of its Victrex® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com.
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyetheretherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the Victrex® PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
Victrex® PEEK™ polymer slat band chains for conveyors provide consistent smooth running at high speeds, without lubrication, and withstand high temperatures and chemically aggressive environments.