THE MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO NICKEL AND ITS APPLICATIONS
December 2007
Volume 23, Number 1
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Screens made of woven wire mesh (S31600)
for corrosion resistance.
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Since it cleans well and does not stain, stainless steel is used for a variety of screening
applications.
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London, England-based Russell Finex Group manufactures screening machines for many
industries. Their largest market is the pharmaceutical industry, followed by food applications.
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Durable stainless steel mesh stands up against abrasion and sanitization
By Carrol McCormick
Nickel Magazine, December 2007 -- Mesh screens or sieve screens are used
to sift just about anything. Metal powders, sand, flour, toner powder, sugar, pharmaceutical powders and
adhesives all need to be screened. And though there are many materials available for making screens,
nickel-containing stainless steel mesh provides many major benefits both during production and in maintenance
operations.
London, England-based Russell Finex Group manufactures screening machines for many industries. Their
largest market is the pharmaceutical industry, followed by food applications. The company makes most of its
stainless steel screens from S30400
and S31600
woven wire mesh. S31600 is considered a more sanitary grade because it is less likely to react with
pharmaceutical powders and foods such as flour, baking ingredients, tea, artificial sweeteners, spices and
flavourings. Both screens and machines, which are also made of stainless steel, must be able to withstand
severe weather, chemical attack, abrasion, acidic ingredients and corrosive agents, harsh cleaning chemicals,
and hot water washing.
Among the harshest products screened are metal powders. Stainless steel better withstands the abrasion of
these materials, and also the abrasion of cleaning agents. “Stainless steel is far more durable than nylon
for screening abrasive products such as metal powders or ceramics,” says a spokesperson for the company.
Stainless steel mesh is rigid, thereby providing better resistance to oversize materials that can jam or
squeeze through the mesh. It also retains its specified gauge in high production temperatures and in high
water temperatures during cleaning. These demanding conditions can shrink synthetic mesh and cause it to
become brittle.
Since it cleans so well and does not stain, the same stainless steel screen can be used to process a wide
variety of materials, as well as materials of different colours. Chocolate powder, for example, can be a
nightmare for cleaning people, says Dennis Cowles, maintenance manager for New Jersey-based Farbest Brands, a
manufacturer and distributor of specialty food ingredients.
Also, after cleaning, synthetic sifter socks may not be completely dry, and the residual dampness can
cause material to stick to the sock during the next production run. That’s not a problem with stainless steel
mesh.
Cowles also notes that stainless screens do not pick up static during production runs – a problem
sometimes encountered with their synthetic counterparts.
As for longevity, the durability of stainless steel screens is product-specific and depends on the operating
environment. However, if handled properly, they can last almost indefinitely.
“I have not found anything better than stainless for screening,” says Cowles. “Synthetics may be cheaper
in the short term, but you can go through 20 to 30 in a month, versus one stainless screen every six months.
Stainless simply lasts longer over time.
Carroll McCormick is a Montreal-based freelance writer.
Photos: Russell Finex Group
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