The A. W. Chesterton Company, long recognized as a preeminent supplier of sealing devices, has focused much effort over the past 20+ years in developing their line of erosion, corrosion and abrasion resistant coatings for industrial surface protection.  Their ARC brand of thermoset coatings are highly reinforced with ceramics and glass flake technology for resistance to those aggressive abrasion and chemical exposures at elevated temperatures found in many process industries.

Coming early in 2014 the company plans to unveil a new addition to the ARC line of abrasion resistant coatings.   ARC MX FG is an alumina ceramic reinforced, co-reactive thermoset, wear resistant coating which complies with the guidelines of 21 CFR 175.300 for direct food contact exposures.  Corn and grain (wheat, rice, soy, etc.) processing and handling as well as sugar cane, fruit and juice plants rely on expensive stainless steel pumping systems to move product as well as waste throughout their systems.  In many instances the corrosive and abrasive nature of the media being handled, as well as the slurry transport mediums, damages wet end components requiring high spare parts replacement costs and/or scrap costs.   Conventional repairs involve might weld overlay with the associated risk of weld zone corrosion.  ARC MX FG is an ambient cure system, which eliminates the requirements for preheating equipment and post curing often required for other FDA certified coatings such as fusion bonded epoxy based coatings or metallization systems.  The bright white color ensures ease of inspection, and the ease with which the product can be applied simplifies maintenance to the point that in plant personnel can use these products safely and reliably.

You may contact Chesterton for copies of its FDA compliance letter via ChestertonAskanExpert.aspx.  Additional details on the product launch will be uploaded to Chesterton’s website www.chesterton.com early in 2014.  In the meantime please visit Chesterton at the upcoming PowerGen show in Orlando, Florida at Booth#1315 from November 12-14, 2013.

For more information on coatings, please read the series by Steve Bowditch, “To Coat or Not to Coat.”