Selecting the right materials for the right environment

By Remke Industries

For those companies operating in harsh environments – like food processors – special attention must be paid to the potential impact of the environment on electrical connections. To insure integrity of the electrical connection and to guard against premature failure, food processors must insist upon connectors made from specific materials and should seek out connector manufacturers that can support a variety of materials in standard and custom configurations. Remke Industries, of Wheeling IL, is a connector manufacturer who has supported both standard and custom products for over 40 years.

Cord connectors and cable grips (also known as cable glands) provide the means for passing cord or cable into an enclosure, through a bulkhead or into a control device such as a switch or panel. These types of connectors prevent cable pull-out or premature fatigue because they secure the cable where it enters the enclosure – or where it terminates into a hardwired application. Cord connectors can be manufactured out of several different types of material. Aluminum, steel and nylon are often used for these type of connectors but for food processing applications those materials do not offer the needed level of corrosion resistance. Materials of construction that are best suited for use in food processing facilities include stainless steel, Valox® and nickel-plated aluminum. Remke Industries offers its line of Tuff-Seal™ cord & cable grips in a wide range of sizes in all three materials – and can create custom connectors in those materials for even the smallest of quantities. The following descriptions of stainless steel, Valox and nickel-plated aluminum are provided to help you in selecting which material might be best suited to your particular needs.

Stainless Steel

Offers exceptional tensile strength which provides the highest levels of durability in severely corrosive environments filled with acids, chemicals or chlorine-bearing agents.

Durable, low-maintenance materials with excellent fatigue and impact resistance

Operating temperatures of -60°F to +1000°F

Resists rust and most other forms of corrosion

Cleanable and hygienic due to smooth & minimally porous surface

Retains its strength even in high temperatures

Valox

Provides superior corrosion-resistance and is suitable for use in FDA mandated washdown environments

Non-hydroscopic which means it won’t absorb moisture

Health-care grades meet FDA specifications for food contact

Excellent chemical and high-heat resistance

Operating temperatures of -40°F to +284°F

Impact-resistant material

Nickel-Plated Aluminum

Non-toxic nature makes it specifically suitable for all types of food handling equipment where corrosion & wear-resistance is required

Prevents rusting by moisture & high humidity

Resists corrosion by many alkalis and weak acids

Operating temperatures of -40°F to +500°F

A lightweight, low-cost alternative to stainless steel

With the extensive use of automated equipment and machinery in food processing facilities, top concerns must be placed on the integrity of sensor and control component connectors. Remke’s line of Tuff-Link™ molded connectors (also know as quick-disconnects or industrial interconnects) is available in a variety of materials for both the overmolding/cable and hardware like coupling nuts.

Materials used for molding both cable and connectors include specialized thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyurethanes (PUR) and silicone. Remke Industries offers its line of Tuff-Link connectors in all of these materials which are described below.

TPE

Excellent resistance to oils, fats, fruits, juices, vegetables, dairy products, tomatoes, wine and vinegar

Durable with excellent abrasion resistance

Excellent for use in submerged water or in applications with constant bending and flexing

Operating temperatures of -60°F to +275°F

Excellent resistance to food industry chemicals like chlorinated alkaline cleaners, detergents, sanitizers or lubricants

PUR

Excellent resistance to oils, fats, fruits, juices, vegetables, dairy products, tomatoes, wine and vinegar

Good for use in cold temperature & freezer applications

Excellent abrasion resistance for high abuse areas

Operating temperatures of -40°F to +176°F

Good resistance to food industry soils and chemicals

1200 PSI washdown rated

Silicone

Best used in high temperature applications or where there are extreme temperature changes

Resistant to high molecular oils, fats from vegetables & animals, diluted acids, and lye

Excellent for use in cold temperature & freezer applications

Operating temperatures of -58°F to +356°F

Good abrasion resistance

The hardware on molded connectors – such as coupling nuts, shells, couplers and adapters – can also be manufactured in a variety of materials to meet the environmental concerns of food processors. Remke offers the following materials of construction:

Stainless Steel

Offers exceptional tensile strength which provides the highest levels of durability in severely corrosive environments filled with acids, chemicals or chlorine-bearing agents.

Durable, low-maintenance materials with excellent fatigue and impact resistance

Operating temperatures of -60°F to +1000°F

Resists rust and most other forms of corrosion

Cleanable and hygienic due to smooth & minimally porous surface

Retains its strength even in high temperatures

PEEK Polymers

Conforms to FDA requirements and may be safely used for food contact

Outperforms metals in many aggressive environments and is a cost-effective alternative to stainless steel

Excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals including common solvents, acids, bases and salts

Scratch-resistant with outstanding wear resistance

Ideally suited for continuous use in high temperatures up to +482°F

Can be used in steam or high water pressure applications

Non-Metallic (e.g. Delrin®)

FDA approved for use in the food industry

Lightweight with high fatigue endurance

High tensile strength & toughness for excellent durability and impact resistance

Very low moisture absorption

Operating temperatures of -40°F to +290°F

Resistant to a wide range of chemicals including hydrocarbons, fuels, solvents and neutral chemicals

Nickel-Plated Brass

Nickel-plating improves appearance, hardness and long-term wear preventing pitting and corrosion

Rated for up to 150 PSI

Resistant to salt water, weak acids & alkalis, alcohol, esters, ketones, ether, mineral-animal and vegetable oil

Brass is rustproof

Provides superior protection against corrosion

Operating temperatures -40°F to +212°F

Material descriptions are often accompanied by an IP RATING. These ratings are defined by International Standard IEC that classifies the level of protection that enclosures of electrical equipment have against intrusions of foreign bodies and water. There are four IP Ratings that are most crucial to the food processing industry – IP 65, IP 66, IP 67, IP 68. These four IP Ratings can be found in all of the materials that Remke uses in the manufacture of its products.

IP 65 – totally protected against dust (dust-tight) and protected against low-pressure jets of water from any direction from a nozzle

IP 66 – totally protected against dust (dust-tight) and protected against high-pressure (powerful) jets of water from any direction

IP 67 – totally protected against dust (dust-tight) and protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water between 15cm and 1m

IP 68 – totally protected against dust (dust-tight) and protected against long periods of immersion in water under pressure OR complete & continuous immersion in water (water-tight)

*Valox is a registered trademark of GE Plastics
*Delrin is a registered trademark of DuPont

For more information visit www.remke.com