Trelleborg introduces compound for conductive hoses

ERJ staff report (DS)

Clermont Ferrand, France -- Trelleborg Industrial Hose has introduced a new compound for food hoses that prevents the accelerated wear usually associated with static dissipation when transferring powdered foodstuffs.

Trelleborg Industrial Hose can offer a white food grade compound that is conductive enough to dissipate static electrical charges according to ISO 8031 while meeting the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. Critical tests with sugar have given outstanding results, proving the service life of the hose is increased tenfold when compared to a non-conductive white food grade hose.

“One of the main reasons for failure of rubber hoses used for transfer of powders is electrical sparks,” says Ludovic Dumoulin, Development Engineer for Trelleborg Industrial Hose. “Electrical charges created by powder particles during transfer can reach extreme levels depending on the media being processed and its speed of transfer. These charges will attempt to dissipate and if the hose acts as an insulator, the electrical charges will rupture the molecular chains of the rubber hose. This diminishes the elastic quality of the rubber hoses, reducing abrasion resistance and accelerating wear of the hoses.”

In addition, as the hoses are conductive through the hose itself, its cover and in between, they can safely be used in an explosive atmosphere environment meeting the European Union ATEX directive, provided the usual earthing safety measures are taken.