Laundry pods wouldn’t be possible without the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films that encapsulate them. Thanks to PVA films, pods stay intact when stored or in transit, and securely contain detergents, surfactants, bleach and other ingredients without leaking or reacting with them. PVA films also give the pods the strength to withstand manufacturing processes like heating, sealing and filling.

However, the same properties that give laundry pods their strength also make PVAs very difficult to remove from machine surfaces. Here’s how one laundry pod manufacturer put an end to these sticky situations.

PVA Film Buildup Requires Constant Cleaning

PVA films are extremely tacky and rapidly adhere to machine parts like forming dies, molds, guides and sealing tools, leaving behind stubborn buildups that can create a laundry list of problems: defects, leakages, jams that halt equipment, weight-fill errors, plus quality control issues like cloudy pods and inconsistent thicknesses. Adding to the mess, the powder used to keep pods from sticking together also accumulates on equipment. The constant cleaning became untenable, so the pod manufacturer called us to break the cycle.

Lectrofluor® was chosen to protect critical part surfaces. This polymer-based coating family is well-suited for addressing sticky substances like PVA films because of its dry lubricity, which gives it a very low coefficient of friction and excellent release properties. Appropriate for ferrous, non-ferrous and mixed-metal parts, Lectrofluor makes cleanup easy while preventing sticky buildup, keeping equipment running smoothly and without interruption. That’s why Lectrofluor is an attractive coating family for pumps, pipe valves, scrubbers, dryers and conveyor lines. And, many Lectrofluor coatings are USDA/FDA compliant for use in mixing vats and stirrers.

Additional features and benefits of Lectrofluor include:

• Resistance to chemicals, acids and alkalis.
• Corrosion, radiation and UV resistance.
• Superior mold release.
• Self-lubricating for extended wear.
• PFAS-free options available.
• Operating temperature range of -400 to +550°F (-240 to +288°C).

Reduce Cleaning Needs With Lectrofluor

Since applying Lectrofluor, the customer reports that all sticking issues have been resolved and cleaning needs have been reduced to routine maintenance. When sticky films threaten machine cleanliness, production uptime and product quality, a Lectrofluor coating can help protect your surfaces and improve their non-stick properties. A Magnaplate expert can assess your needs and recommend the best Lectrofluor surface treatment for the job.

For more information, please visit our product page.