Applications of Silicon Carbide in the Pharmaceutical and Food Industries

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is an advanced ceramic material with unique properties that make it ideal for applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries, where purity, durability, and compliance with strict standards are critical.

Key Properties of Silicon Carbide

1. Exceptional Wear Resistance: Its hardness is second only to diamond, ensuring extremely long equipment service life.

2. High Corrosion Resistance: Inert to acids, alkalis, and aggressive chemicals used in cleaning and sterilization.

3. Biological Inertness and Safety: Does not release metal ions, does not react with products or pharmaceuticals, and complies with FDA (USA) and EU 10/2011 (EU) standards for materials in contact with food and drugs.

4. High Thermal Conductivity and Heat Resistance: Effectively withstands thermal sterilization and high-temperature cycles.

5. Smooth, Non-Porous Surface: Prevents material adhesion and bacterial growth, facilitating cleaning and sterilization.

Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry

1. Mill Liners and Components:

   • Challenge: Grinding Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to nano-scale without contaminating the product.

   • Solution: SiC liners and rotors for bead mills. Ensure absolute product purity as they do not release abrasive particles and have a very long lifespan.

2. Seal Rings and Bearings:

   • Challenge: Sealing and operation in pumps handling API suspensions and solutions.

   • Solution: SiC mechanical seals and bearings. Operate in corrosive environments, eliminating leaks and equipment failures.

3. Reactor and Heat Exchanger Components:

   • Challenge: Performing chemical syntheses in corrosive environments.

   • Solution: SiC protective linings and heat exchanger tubes. Provide excellent corrosion and erosion resistance.

Applications in the Food Industry

1. Wear-Resistant Parts for Food Pumps:

   • Challenge: Pumping abrasive or corrosive food products (chocolate, fruit purees, concentrates, dairy).

   • Solution: SiC impellers, seals, and pump housings. Significantly extend maintenance intervals.

2. Spray Drying Nozzles:

   • Challenge: Atomizing liquid food products (milk, coffee, egg melange) in drying towers.

   • Solution: SiC nozzles have high abrasion resistance, maintaining their geometry and droplet size throughout their service life.

3. Bearings and Guides in Equipment:

   • Challenge: Operating in high-pressure washing areas and high-humidity environments.

   • Solution: SiC bearings do not rust and withstand conditions where steel fails quickly.

4. Confectionery Equipment:

   • Challenge: Molding sticky masses (toffee, chewing gum).

   • Solution: SiC forming rolls and molds offer anti-adhesion properties and long service life.

Advantages for Manufacturers

• Reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): The high initial cost is offset by a much longer lifespan, reducing replacement costs and downtime.

• Guarantees Product Quality: Eliminates the risk of metallic contamination, crucial for GMP in pharma and food safety standards (HACCP).

• Improves Efficiency: The smooth surface and anti-stick properties improve product flow and facilitate cleaning.

• Reliability: Equipment runs longer without breakdowns, increasing productivity.

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