Study, development and testing of blue Metal Detector-detectable Acetal Resin for the realisation of components for food conveyor lines
Field of application: Food & Beverage
Material: BLUE Detectable POM
Purpose: Study, development and testing of blue Metal Detector-detectable Acetal Resin for the realisation of components for food conveyor lines
Success factors: Detectability with Metal Detector, Aesthetic colouring, Certification for food contact, Reduction of formaldehyde emissions
The regulations governing food production are increasingly strict and oblige companies to create more sophisticated traceability systems for possible product contamination. The aim of the project was to provide a POM base compound to produce transmission parts of food product conveyor lines that are subject to wear due to rubbing.
The request was to create a combined visual and mechanical system for detecting the infinitesimal particles of the material that can contaminate the product. The solution was identified in POM Copolymer with the addition of mineral fillers to make it detectable by a metal detector and feature an aesthetic blue colour. By nature, both in the total homopolymer phase and in the partial copolymer phase, POM starts from formaldehyde which is a chemical compound belonging to the so-called organic compounds in the vapor phase characterised by a pungent odour that represents a real hazard to be taken into consideration because it can cause various types of harm to our body and can be very aggressive to the respiratory tract, eyes and skin.
When using POM, the release of formaldehyde is a physiological problem that occurs when the material is heated. The study also aimed to find a solution that would allow the perfect colourdispersion on the product, maintenance of the the tribological characteristics (low or no friction) and, above all, great ecological and occupational health results byloweringthe formaldehyde emissions when the polymer is heated. Formac, supported by a team of qualified technicians who work in the Research & Development department, began experimentation starting from its chemical knowledge of the process, identifying a solution that accelerates it, thereby containing smoke exhalation and formaldehyde emission into the atmosphere. The approach was therefore based on a chemical principle that cannot be avoided but can be modified to contain the problem.