Application Note A10-010A Thermal cleaning with the IFB-51 Introduction Techne Industrial Fluidised Baths are widely used as thermal cleaning tool by polymer manufacturers. The Industrial Fluidised Bath removes plastic residues from extrusion tooling components, systems and parts quickly, safely and without damage to the tooling. Industrial Fluidised Baths contain dry, inert aluminium oxide particles called alundum. This has a course, brown powder appearance. In a fluidised state the alundum becomes mobile, with similar physical properties to a liquid, although freezing, boiling and evaporation is eliminated. Fluidisation evenly distributes heat for excellent high thermal stability. Industrial Fluidised Baths are an effective, safe and clean alternative to oil, salt, ultrasonic and molten-metal baths. Industrial Fluidised Baths are also more effective at cleaning residues from stainless-steel polymer extrusion tooling than ovens, furnaces and blow-torches with none of the associated risks of warping and damaging the expensive tools. Techne Industrial Fluidised Baths are widely used for cleaning dies, breaker plates, spinnerets, nozzles, extruder screws, tools, manifolds, tips and more. Techne have supplied Industrial Fluidised Baths to companies who extrude plastic tubes, rods, sheets, films, electrical cables and wires. There are 6 sizes of Industrial Fluidised Bath ranging from 5 litre to 64 litre working volume at temperatures up to 600°C. Reference site Smithers Rapra Technology is a UK company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire recognised for industry-leading independent rubber, plastic and composite expertise. Smithers Rapra Technology provides a wide range of practical consultancy services covering, testing, analysis, processing and research for polymer industries that use plastics and rubber in product or production processes. Figure 1 illustrates the Techne thermal cleaning equipment in use at Smithers Rapra Technology. Fig.1 Smithers Rapra Technology IFB-51 test equipment IFB-51 (FIFB51D) with extraction collar (F6157) Sample basket (FA625) Cyclone/collection bin (FSCN1) Sample cleaning For any plastic extrusion company or polymer manufacturer considering the purchase of a Techne Industrial Fluidised Bath, a trial tool cleaning service is available. To test the outcome of cleaning particular steel tooling in an Industrial Fluidised Bath, please contact the Techne Product Manager [email protected]. When samples are received, the Smithers Rapra Technology test equipment is used to clean the tooling. Before and after photos are provided. There are no fees charged and tooling can be returned if required. [email protected] | www.bibby-scientific.com +44(0)1785 810433

A10-010A: Thermal cleaning with the IFB-51 Case study Introduction In August 2013, a used breaker plate and steel extrusion nozzle were received by Kunbird Industry & Trade Shanghai, a Chinese polymer manufacturer interested to purchase a new Techne Industrial Fluidised Bath for thermal cleaning purposes. As shown in figure 2, the breaker plate contained particularly heavy contamination. Fig.2 Pre-cleaning tool images. Left: beaker plate. Right: extrusion nozzle The IFB-51 was switched on and the temperature set to 500°C. The fluidising airflow was set to 25-psi and the unit was allowed to heat...

A10-010A: Thermal cleaning with the IFB-51 Cleaning steel extrusion tooling in an Industrial Fluidised Bath typically takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on polymer type, temperature and level of cleaning required. In this case, such a large amount of polymer surrounded the breaker plate that the Industrial Fluidised Bath was left to clean for several hours. Results After a few hours at 500°C all polymer had completely burnt off and the basket was extracted from the Industrial Fluidised Bath as seen in figure 4. Fig.4 Cleaning finishes in the Smithers Rapra Technology test equipment...

A10-010A: Thermal cleaning with the IFB-51 Conclusion Using a Techne Industrial Fluidised Bath for thermal cleaning of stainless-steel plastic extrusion tooling is a safer and cleaner alternative to using traditional oil, salt, ultrasonic or molten-metal baths. There are no harmful or unpleasant vapours produced by hot fluidised aluminium oxide – unlike salt and oil mediums. In addition, hot aluminium oxide does not projectile out of the Industrial Fluidised Bath as is the case with hot salt. Finally, Industrial Fluidised Baths are more effective at cleaning than ovens and furnaces whilst removing...