Safina is a long-standing manufacturer of high-quality platinum products for the glass industry.
Ceramic substrate protection
The wide range of these products is also represented by the application of methods of applying protective layers of platinum metals to ceramic substrates.
Customer-centric approach
This range is developed in our company mainly in connection with customer requirements for effective and economically advantageous protection of ceramic parts of glass aggregates as an alternative to precious metal and clad products. The plating is carried out to order, according to the drawing documentation supplied by the customer and the supplied ceramic part, resp. by entering the specification of the ceramic material, when the delivery, including this part, is completely furnished.
Flame Spray Technology
For these purposes, Safina uses Flame Spray Technology, in which an aerosol of molten metal is applied by a gas stream at a high temperature to the ceramic surface.
In particular, the increasing demands on materials with increased corrosion resistance and high strength, operating at high temperatures, have led the company to constantly improve the application of protective platinum layers. This technology, combining the resistance of platinum metals, the strength of high-quality ceramic materials and the economy of using thin films, brings an increase in quality and, as a result, leads to improved management of its own production processes.
Platinum plating technology makes it possible to increase the quality of production in the entire spectrum of glass production, including the production of crystals, technical borosilicate glass and blown or pressed glass.
Implementation of the technology
The implementation of this technology concerns the use of platinum-plated thermocouple wells and dosing devices, such as plungers, spouts, stirrers and especially where it is necessary to guarantee high corrosion resistance and dimensional stability – i.e. long life of the accessories.
Alternative to cladding
This technology may also serve as an economical alternative to furnace parts cladded with platinum, such as refractory blocks, outflows, baffles, barrier stones, fittings, skimmer blocks and other parts, whose extended life, will significantly contribute to the smooth production campaign.
Platinum plating technology allows the application of layers of metals and their alloys according to the customer’s wishes in effective thicknesses from 200 μm (microns) for standard plating up to 300 μm (and more) for plating extremely exposed units or their parts. The plating can also be applied locally according to the customer’s supplied drawing documentation.
Types of platinum-plated ceramic devices
As the main types of platinum-plated ceramic devices and their purposes of use, we mention in particular:
- platinum-plated plungers, stirrers and other equipment designed for homogenization and mixing of glass
- anti-corrosion protection extending the life of these parts exposed to intense flow and aggressive corrosion conditions
- ensuring dimensional stability for constant production conditions and their correct function during flow changes
- accurate melt dosing
Thermocouple wells and tips
Platinum-plated thermocouple wells and thermocouple tips enable reliable measurement of operating temperatures in the glass without the risk of corrosion using minimal amounts of precious metals. When using high-quality types of ceramics, it is possible to protect only the most exposed parts in the molten glass level area and prevent the formation of dangerous surface corrosion.
Spout bowls and rings
Platinum-plated spout bowls and rings (nozzles) are a good tool for stabilizing the glass and their extended service life significantly reduces production downtime due to frequent replacements.
Platinum-plated partitions, blocks and fittings prolong the campaign time of the unit and eliminate attacks on the structure of materials in the most exposed parts of the furnaces, the service life of which determines the operating time of the entire unit.
Further extensions of plating technology can be applied to equipment that is exposed to a combination of aggressive conditions during the smelting and adjustment process – such as bubble nozzles and stones, small glass furnaces and crucibles for melting aggressive glass, extruded block slots and more. Platinum coating of ceramic parts leads to significant savings in operating costs.
Contact us
Contact our sales team and they will be happy to give you a quote and help you find the best solution for your company.
