Vessels and pipelines in the food and beverage industries must be constructed to withstand stringent cleaning and disinfecting. A maximum roughness (Ra) of 0,8 µm is often required in the component interior. Foil wrapped, cold-rolled sheet metal (2B) is used and the weld seams are tested for flaws and ground flush with the sheet metal surface in several steps.

Paint is used for large components that can’t be powder coated or when the existing counterparts or other components of the facility are already painted. A standard layer of paint is at least 80 µm thick; multi-layered coatings can have thicknesses of 120 – 240 µm. In these cases priming, intermediate and top coats are used. A layer-thickness measurement can be taken and a paint adhesion test (Cross-Cut) can be given for proof of quality.

Rubber linings are also interior coatings that, however, are applied some millimetres thick. Its resistance to chemicals depends on the type of rubber lining and can be quite high. Rubber linings are considerably more stable in comparison to other coatings with respect to abrasive media, i.e. media with hard, sharp-edged elements. Before the rubber lining can be applied, the interior surfaces of the tank or vessel and the weld seams, must be flawlessly welded and ground – without edges, without pores.

Coatings are used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion or for aesthetic reasons.  Powder coatings are highly professional with regard to their uniform appearance, bonding and pre-treatment capabilities, and short application time. For noise protection enclosures, each individual component is separately and completely powder coated to ensure a guaranteed corrosion-free protection at the joints as well. One-layer coatings at 70 µm or multi-layered coatings can be applied; many RAL colours are available in stock.

Discolorations occur during welding due to oxidation. During operation these tempering colours would quickly lead to rust perforations and must, therefore, be thoroughly and completely removed. Pickling is the most reliable solution for this and is more dependable and cost efficient compared to brushing, grinding or blasting. In our LBF-pickling facility, both full immersion pickling and spray pickling are available. LBF full-surface pickles all stainless steel components – interiors and exteriors.

Halar is an engineering plastic very similar to Teflon; their durability and coating properties are comparable. However, Halar has significant advantages with regard to fire behaviour. For fire safety requirements our DUCoaT-system replaces complete pipe systems made solely out of PPS- Polypropylene in many applications. The Halar coating is applied on the interior of pipe and duct systems to protect the stainless steel material from aggressive components in the medium, such as acids and alkalis. Almost every shape can be coated, even the smallest diameters of measuring points.