When machine parts wear out, they can hurt the plant’s productivity and costs. While replacing these parts may be appropriate, MRO professionals should consider refurbishing them with the help of engineered surface enhancement coatings. Replacing or rebuilding parts can get expensive. Instead, refurbishment with the help of a suitable coating can reduce waste, downtime and its associated costs. In many cases, the coating can upgrade a machine’s performance and lifetime.
In the powder bulk solids industry, precise metering and efficient material feeding are critical. However, several conditions can hinder machine performance and affect lifetime. In order to avoid unwanted downtime or premature replacement, protective coatings are a must. Powder and bulk solids handlers typically have three main concerns:
As oil and gas facilities move to more remote locations with extreme conditions, any equipment downtime due to parts failure can be costly. Valves must perform reliably despite exposure to corrosive chemicals, abrasive fracking fluids, sour gases in drilling, high pressures, liquids, variable pH levels and high temperatures. In addition, contact with other metal tools can cause galling which can result in premature wear, leaking and ultimately valve failure. Many types of coatings can offer basic protection. But when your valve has to withstand this type of punishment, you need the peace of mind that comes from engineered coatings.
General Magnaplate engineered coatings stand up to abrasion, galling and corrosion that threaten the performance of ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, safety valves, pressure valves and tools. Unlike other coating options, General Magnaplate coatings can be modified to meet an application’s specific functional criteria based on the intended environment. In fact, the coatings become an integral part of the substrate, so metal surfaces like aluminum become super hard. The result: long-lasting parts plus performance characteristics that can even surpass more expensive metals. Many engineered coatings are suitable for use in low pH conditions in which corrosion is a concern as well as in high temperatures commonly found in the oil and gas industry.
Throughout the food processing process, a variety of conditions can affect your equipment’s performance and reliability. Whether you need to prevent sticking, protect against corrosion or lower friction, there’s an FDA-compliant General Magnaplate engineered coating that can ensure problem-free performance for your food processing equipment.
Mining and mineral processing facilities present a host of threats that can affect valve reliability and uptime. Knife gate valves used in slurry transport, for example, must consistently perform despite heavy contact with abrasive, corrosive metal solids or acids that can erode the valve. Slurry materials and sludges can also stick to valve parts, impeding flow. If your valve fails or leaks, consequences can include replacement, downtime for repairs, environmental damage and safety risks to personnel.
Avoid Damaging Corrosion, Wear and Buildup
General Magnaplate coatings have proven successful protecting valves from the damaging effects of mining operations. Our coatings are specially engineered to provide wear, friction and corrosion resistance — three properties critical to the protection of mining valve blades, housings and other vital parts. Engineered coatings transform ordinary metal parts into corrosion-resistant, super-hard, dry-lubricated products that last longer, are more cost efficient and perform better.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. General Magnaplate was part of the Apollo program's success from the beginning, both on the ground innovating surface coatings for space exploration and, later, on the moon protecting the drill tubes that sampled the moon's soil and rocks. Since our founding in 1952, General Magnaplate has been creating synergistic coatings that withstand the extreme conditions that man and machine encounter in aerospace environments as evidenced by these space-exploration milestones:
Fast-paced, high-volume production facilities cannot afford downtime caused by poorly performing packaging equipment. Several conditions can harm the surfaces of packaging machines and, in turn, affect performance including: friction and wear, build-up and release problems caused by sticky substances and sanitation issues. Achieving maximum uptime for your packaging operation comes down to selecting the best protection method for your equipment.
When it comes to protecting metal and mixed metal components, harsh conditions and high performance requirements often prove too demanding for conventional coatings. In many applications, corrosive materials, chemicals, high temperatures and UV exposure can degrade surfaces and shorten a part's service life. While conventional coatings may suffice in benign environments, polymer coatings can withstand extreme conditions while providing excellent release properties.
General Magnaplate's Arlington, Texas, facility has expanded to keep pace with our substantial growth over the last five years. We’re proud to call Arlington our new headquarters, and we moved all coating processes and services here to further streamline processes and optimize our operational performance.
A large portion of our new construction and renovation has been completed, allowing us to increase our production space and add new equipment. We also converted warehouse space to make way for masking operations as well as incoming/outgoing inspections and production staging.
When it comes to food processing applications, the types of equipment that need protection are as varied as the threats they face. Whether you specify or upgrade molds, hoppers, pneumatic cylinders, extruders or guillotine blades, protecting that equipment is a top priority. Depending on their intended use and environment, food production machines demand durability, protection from wear, and resistance to contamination, corrosion and adhesives. Without proper protection, your machine’s production, cleanliness and lifetime can suffer.
