CSMA Solves a Sticky Problem!

CSMA Ltd, using a combination of advanced surface analysis techniques and consultancy from
their surface specialists, has been able to solve a nagging (and costly) “stictiness” problem for their customer, a multi-national company related to automotive and process industries.

The client company has suffered from processed product sticking onto rollers during processing, requiring both human intervention, and periods of down time while rollers are dressed ready for operation.

An inexpensive and novel approach (patent applied for) has turned the problem into the solution.

The problem was a surface chemistry reaction between the surface of the rollers, and specific materials in the client’s compound. This was determined using a combination of XPS and ToF SIMS in CSMA's extensive laboratories.
The solution was to use another compound, related to the compound causing the problem, as a sacrificial coating.

Again, this approach, and the binding of the “sacrificial compound” to the rollers by surface chemistry effects, was confirmed by XPS and ToF SIMS.

CSMA's rapid response resulted in a novel, cost effective solution that can be applied in situ, at a cost of some hundreds of pounds of material per application.

The alternatives facing the customer were a metal coating of the rollers (Down time, costs) or living with the problem and putting up with manufacturing inefficiencies due to non optimal production schedules caused by the sticking!