Wallex® Cobalt Alloys for Food Processing & Packaging Components

Wall Colmonoy supplies precision machined components for the food processing and packaging industries, with particular expertise in Wallex® cobalt-based alloys, for applications such as homogenisation equipment, aseptic packaging, and canning. Wallex® cobalt alloys are widely preferred for challenging food processing applications due to superior levels of wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

With service life typically several times longer than stainless steel, components cast in Wallex® alloys are a high-quality solution. Wallex® machined cast parts for the food processing and packaging include:

• homogeniser valves, mushroom valves, bushes, discs, valve seats and rings
• canning components such as seaming rolls and chucks

Food processing can pose many challenges to the manufacturer. Acidic foods, such as citrus or berries can be problematic due to the corrosion caused by contact with acids. For components with inadequate corrosion protection, metal ions can pass into the food causing contamination. This issue, combined with other wear mechanisms such as abrasion, require extremely wear-resistant components. Tomato pulping is one such application where the components are subject to acid corrosion as well as severe abrasion from pips moving at high velocity.

Other processes are subject to highly abrasive forces. For example, in the homogenisation process, the high velocity and pressure of the fluid causes extreme abrasion. Components must be constructed of extremely tough and wear resistant hard metals such as Wallex®.

Heat can be another challenging factor, particular in combination with corrosion and abrasion. Components used in aseptic packaging rely on high heat to achieve sterility and require an alloy such as Wallex® to mitigate against combined corrosion and abrasion, and to avoid subsequent contamination.

Components for canning also require particularly wear-resistant alloys. Seaming rolls and chucks are often produced in Wallex® so as to withstand the abrasion involved in seaming a tin can.

Wallex® alloys are widely preferred for challenging food processing applications due to superior levels of wear resistance and corrosion resistance. With service life typically several times longer than stainless steel, components cast in Wallex® alloys are a high-quality solution.

Wallex® Cobalt Alloys for Food Processing & Packaging Applications to Increase Wear Resistance Properties:

Homogenizing, mixing and pulping

Machined cast parts for the food processing industry include various valve parts - homogeniser valves, mushroom valves, bushes, discs, valve seats and rings; and cast parts in the food packaging industry include canning components such as seaming chucks and rolls.

We utilize investment casting technique to provide design flexibility, precise dimensional control, consistency, and repeatability providing optimal solutions for our customers.

• Wallex® 6 is a Co-Cr-W-C alloy with excellent resistance to erosion and cavitation. The cast alloy has a hardness range of 38-46 Rockwell C.
  
• Wallex® 20 exhibits a high resistance to both abrasion and corrosion. It is used for valve seats, balls and stems in food industry equipment. Also used for seaming rolls in the canning industry. The cast alloy has a hardness range of 49-59 Rockwell C.
  
• Wallex® 20/1040 Similar to Wallex® 20 but with increased impact resistance, Wallex® 20/1040 is widely used in the manufacture of food industry components.

Watch how we make valve seat castings for the food processing industry using Wallex® 20/1040.

WALLEX® (cobalt-based)

The above alloys comply with the specific release limits set out by Council of Europe in CM/Res (2013)9 and meet the sensory index and physicochemical index set out for other metal materials in Table 3 of China National Food Safety Standard GB 4806.9-2016 on metal materials and its products for food contact.

Casting & Machining Capabilities for Food Processing & Packaging Components:

Wall Colmonoy offers components in As Cast, Proofed or Precision Machined state, with a newly modernised foundry and state of the art machine shop all at the one site. Casting methods include investment, Centrifugal/Spin, Sand and Hot Isostatic Pressing. Machining capabilities include EDM, CNC Wire Cutting, CNC Grinding, Honing, CNC Milling, Lapping and CNC Turning.

More information about precisely engineered components for Food Processing here.

Have a question?

Wall Colmonoy Limited
Darren House
Alloy Industrial Estate
Pontardawe, Swansea,
Wales (U.K.) SA8 4HL
E: componentsales@wallcolmonoy.co.uk
T: +44 (0) 1792 860647