Ceramic coated elbows can often be the best solution for pneumatic conveying systems that carry hard and abrasive particles, as the change in direction of the materials you’re conveying can have significant friction on the elbows and will eventually erode them. Here, you’ll find out more about the pros and cons of using ceramic coating and when you might need it in your pneumatic conveying system.
What are Ceramic Coated Elbows?
Ceramic coated elbows are simply elbows within a pneumatic conveying system that have protective layers of ceramic, either internally or externally, that help extend their lifespan. When the wall of the elbow becomes eroded overtime, the ceramic coating takes over.
Pros of Ceramic Coated Clbows
Technically speaking, a ceramic coated elbow has a protective layer of ceramic on the outside. This is opposite of a ceramic lined elbow that has a coating on its internal wall.
Some of the advantages of using ceramic coated elbows include the following:
- Abrasion resistant – elbows undergo wear and tear because of sliding abrasion from conveyed particles, especially when they’re traveling at velocity. Ceramic coating helps to minimize abrasive wear. Once the elbow wears then the material has the much harder ceramic compound to abrate against.
- Impact resistant – impact wear is common just off the tangential line where the material you're conveying hits the back of the elbow, and is most common on short radius elbows. The size and speed of the particles determine the extent of impact.
- Longer lifespan – ceramic coated elbows have relatively longer lifespan compared to bare elbows because of their greater abrasion resistance. This means you’ll reduce maintenance time and costs, making ceramic elbows a cost-effective solution for your pneumatic conveying system even if the elbow cost is higher.
Cons of Ceramic Coated Elbows
Using ceramic coated elbows can help reduce the overall downtime of your pneumatic conveying system, along with associated costs. However, there are a couple of disadvantages to using ceramic coated elbows:
- Relatively expensive initial cost – compared to non-coated elbows, ceramic coated elbows are relatively expensive. However, they are typically more cost-effective in the long run as they don’t need to be replaced as frequently, so your production downtime and maintenance costs are reduced.
- Brittle material – ceramic is a hard, scratch-resistant material that’s so strong it’s even in bullet-proof vests. However, this quality also makes ceramic brittle. Coatings are less resistant to shear stress and vibrations and may crack as a result.
- Not ideal for larger solid particles – ceramic coatings are not ideal when conveying particles ⅜” or larger. Ceramic tiles might be a better option in this case.
When might I need a Ceramic Coated Elbow?
If you’re conveying an abrasive material, want to significantly reduce system downtime, make your facility more productive, efficient, and cost-effective, you may want to consider fitting ceramic coated elbows.
If you need help in selecting the right elbows for your pneumatic conveying system, it’s best to talk with an expert so you can ensure you get the correct components for your needs.
At Progressive Products, we won’t sell you anything you don’t need – contact us today to find the right solution for you.
