Proper surface treatment can prevent many problems

Nevertheless, there is usually a solution: both restorative for used material and preventive for new constructions. Packo Surface Treatment is specialized in the treatment of stainless steel. The Diksmuide-based company started in the 1970s with the electrolytic polishing of milking machine parts, but now offers a wide range of surface treatments for the most diverse applications.

Text: Johan Debaere  Image: Packo Surface Treatment

Electropolishing, one of the most performing finishes for stainless steel, is still the main activity of Packo Surface Treatment today, but in the meantime there are many other surface treatments for stainless steel. "We started in 1974 with electrolytic polishing of stainless steel parts for milking machines. Ammonia and chlorine were causing corrosion of the stainless steel in the milking parlors after only a few weeks. Electrochemical polishing suddenly solved the problem of corrosion and that of cleanability," says manager Marc Quaghebeur. "We were soon approached by manufacturers from other sectors who had similar problems with stainless steel, for example the pharmaceutical and construction sectors. In the meantime, our services are used in a wide variety of sectors and the possible surface treatments have also expanded significantly to include de-rouging, refurbishment, de-blurring, micro-undulation, non-fingerprint finishing, E-polidur hardening, pickling, blasting, coating ..."

Each sector has its own problems

Corrosion, rouging and other discoloration, burrs, flaking, blacking, friction resistance, wear, roughness, taste and odor deterioration, bacteria ... these are a few examples from the long list of problems. Treatment is always tailored to the problem encountered in a particular application. For example, electropolish in the pharmaceutical sector prevents metal flakes from blocking syringes and stainless steel needs to be desulfurized for many applications in the food industry. "That food sector, however, mainly gets rid of sticking problems. It is therefore best to have the parts treated beforehand, so that downtime is avoided afterwards," adds the manager. "Electrolytic polishing ensures that stainless steel elements in swimming pools are not affected by chlorine and increases corrosion resistance in special stainless steel alloys for aircraft components. Electrolysis also prevents scale from adhering in applications involving water, and in chemical applications, dust explosions are avoided because friction is reduced." 

Anti-bacterial treatment

The most recent development is a bacteria-resistant finish, which is very popular in healthcare facilities. "A bacterium needs water and with this treatment we just dissolve the hydrogen in the top layer of the stainless steel, preventing the bacteria from developing and attaching," Quaghebeur concludes. "One thing should be clear: customers can come to us with any problem and, moreover, there is a good chance that we can help them."