VescoPlastics Sales Bulletin Board

Q11:		Has anyone used Vesconite on conveyor systems in a packaging plant? I'm particularly interested in low speed conveyor rollers. Submitted: Sept 11 2002 Paul. paul.everitt@coors.com
A:		Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube has been considered for industrial type conveyor idler bearings and used in certain applications with great advantage. The low friction of Vesconite Hilube, in particular, gave a free running resistance within the required standards for these idlers. When considering these idlers in one specific operation - running at 600 RPM and coupled with the design load on the idler - it was found that the load and speed combination was too high for Vesconite Hilube bearings running with only initial lubrication. Where idlers are running at lower speeds and loads - typical in a packaging plant - Vesconite Hilube offers an excellent solution. The low friction and no stick-slip will allow for a smooth operation and the low wear and ability to operate without greasing means substantially lower maintenance. Vesconite bearings in conveyor idlers are especially good where the environment is not suitable for using roller bearings. This could be in dirty, chemically harsh or humid conditions, or in underwater conveyor idler bearings. One particularly successful example involves Vesconite used for bearings in immersed idlers in mineral processing plants. Vesconite Consultant.

Q9:

Does Vesconite have FDA or USDA approvals for use with food, particularly in contact with meat?
Submitted: Mar 19 2002 Brent Veldkamp brent_veldkamp@teconet.com

Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube are manufactured from materials and ingredients that have no known health effects. Further, neither material contains asbestos.

Both materials as a result of a series of stringent tests have been approved for direct contact with drinking water in potable water applications in terms of the UK Water Regulations Assessment Scheme. See Approval for Drinking water applications or full details.

These drinking water approvals extend to both ambient and hot drinking water applications for both materials.

It may be noted that the hot drinking water tests represent a much more challenging test, one which is far harder to meet than the cold water test.

When considering the question of food contact approval for Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube, one should ask is there going to be any direct contact between the Vesconite or Vesconite Hilube and the foodstuffs concerned?

In many applications there is no specific foodstuff contact, because of the nature of the design of the equipment. This often means that the need for approval may fall away.

A major advantage of Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube bearings in food processing applications is that they usually do not require greasing. This greatly simplifies maintenance, allows for much cleaner and simpler operation, and reduces costs as food approved greases tend to be expensive.

Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube also represent a major advantage over metallic bearings such as those made from bearing bronzes, which often contain lead and tin, a concern in food processing applications.

It should also be considered that Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube may often replace metallic or polymer wear parts which did not have any specific foodstuff approval for the application.

To date one specific approval for a food contact application was required, namely for ice making machinery (yes, ice may be considered a food!). Approval was granted by the regulatory authority concerned.

Q8:		Can Vesconite be used immersed in oil? Will Vesconite swell in oil? Submitted: Feb 20 2002 echo chiulaucoltd@netvigator.com
A:		Vesconite has excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals including oils and fuels, hydrocarbons, gasoline (petroleum), many acids, organic chemicals and solvents. Vesconite remains hard in a wet environment. Its performance in water and other liquids is unrivalled. Vesconite absorption of oil, the above chemicals or moisture is negligible and it does not soften. Vesconite has been used in hundreds of oil, fuel and water immersed applications with great success. Vesconite remains hard in immersed conditions and keeps its compression strength and excellent resistance to creep. Vesconite maintains its excellent long life wear characteristics whether wet or dry. Many synthetic bearing materials, like those based on elastomers and nylons, absorb these chemicals, soften and lose their compression strength in immersed conditions. Vesconite Consultant.

Q7:		What happens to a Vesconite Stern tube bearing if it lies idle in the water for three months? Will it be subject to anaerobic corrosion? What will happen to the Vesconite bearing if the boat is stored out of the water for three months? Submitted: Jan 29 2002 Mpho Mphoyanej email: mpo@worldonline.co.za
A:		Vesconite is an inert material and is not subject to corrosion by water or sea water. So a Vesconite stern tube bearing will not be effected if it lies idle in the water, or if the boat is stored out of water. However, users have to consider that no matter what bearing material is used, if a propeller shaft is left idle for months, it is possible that it may be subject to corrosion including anaerobic corrosion if it is not of a suitable resistant material. This corrosion will damage the bearing when the propeller is used again. Also, and this applies again to all bearing materials, it is possible that marine growth, including barnacles, can happen on the shaft or bearing, especially in the water grooves. This could block the water grooves, which will lead to the blockage of flow of water to the bearing, and also cause rough bearing and shaft surfaces, leading to the accelerated wear of both when the propeller is used again. Vesconite Consultant.

Q6:		Where can I find a listing of stock bushes and prices? Submitted: Jan 10 2002 Jayme Caspall. email: jayme.caspall@gtri.gatech.edu
A:		We keep in stock a wide range of bushings and rods, from 8 mm diameter (3/8") up top 730 mm diameter (28"). These are listed on our site. We also keep a range of ready to use stock bushes in metric and imperial sizes. For prices please email us sizes and quantity required, as discounts are offered for large quantities. Many customers require special sizes, so we have substantial machining and injection moulding capabilities for producing at short notice to the specific size required. Vesconite Consultant.

Q4:		Is Vesconite (both low and high temp) resistant for Sea water ? Submitted: Dec 03 2001.
A:		Yes, Vesconite is completely resistant to sea water for long term applications, and is used in many shipping applications, commercial ship rudder bearings and propeller shaft bearings. Vesconite may be used in sea water up to continuous immersion temperatures of 65 ^oC. If there is continuous immersion above this temperature then there will be hydrolytic damage to the bearing in the long term.

Q3:		Can Vesconite be used for an Incline Pump (about 45 degrees, Shaft diameter 75 mm.,950 rpm.)? Submitted: Nov 01 2001. bhongsak, bhongsak@egat.or.th
A:		Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube bearings are well suited to pump applications especially water lubricated pump bearings. Vesconite has been successfully used in Vertical Spindle and Centrifugal pumps and Archimedes Screws. Please refer to specific application success stories for reference. I would be happy to assess your application. Submitted: Nov 02 2001 Ian Moffett, moffett@vescoplastics.com