At a poultry processing plant in Malaysia, the infeed chains and overhead conveyor chains require weekly lubrication to withstand daily washdowns and high-temperature disinfection. Conventional lubricants are quickly washed away, leading to chain rust and poor operational performance.

 
 Over time, wear at multiple chain friction points is inevitable. This wear is often mistaken for "stretching." "Stretching" should not exceed 3% to 5% of the chain pitch to prevent issues such as "riding up" or "sagging." Once the chain exceeds this elongation limit, the rate of wear accelerates, subsequently damaging both the chain and the sprockets.

  Therefore, proper lubrication is crucial for maximizing chain service life while also reducing noise and energy consumption. Conversely, inadequate lubrication compromises chain longevity, causing excessive wear, noise, and vibration. These factors contribute to energy loss and reduce the overall efficiency of the conveyor system.

  Effective lubrication is key to extending chain life and ensuring the continuous movement of chains and conveying equipment. Regardless of the application, chain type, or lubricant requirements, our experts can collaborate with you to design solutions that prevent premature wear, corrosion, noise, and chain failure.

  For this customer case, we recommended switching the conveyor chain to FRTLUBE FD220 food-grade high-temperature chain oil (PFAS-free, NSF H1 certified).

  FD220 is a high-performance synthetic oil specially formulated to lubricate chains operating under high temperatures and heavy loads in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries. It offers excellent resistance to water washout and wear, forming virtually no residue even during high-temperature operation. FD220 creates a tenacious lubricating film that remains intact during washdown and disinfection processes. This enhances corrosion resistance and reduces operational stiffness, resulting in more stable conveyor chain performance.

  1. Certified for use in the food industry: NSF H1, ISO 9001, and PFAS-free.

  Ideally suited for applications requiring high operating temperatures, extended relubrication intervals, and a low coefficient of friction.

  3. Excellent wear protection.

  4. Outstanding corrosion protection for steel and copper.

  5. Superior oxidation stability.

  6. Virtually residue-free.

  Lubrication costs after the client switched to FD220:

  ● Reduced lubrication frequency: From 52 times per year to 12 times per year.

  ● Labor savings: 10 hours per year.

  ● Reduced lubricant consumption: 50% reduction.

  ● Doubled chain service life: Extended from approximately 1.5 years to about 3 years.

  ● Improved hygiene: A more stable lubricant film reduces the risk of rust and oil contamination entering the production process.

  Tip for extending chain life: Using a lubricant with high film strength and water-washout resistance in humid environments can increase service life by over 30%.

  Proper, regular chain lubrication can reduce equipment failure rates by approximately 40% and lower maintenance costs. It is recommended that operators establish a daily inspection checklist and incorporate chain maintenance into the equipment management system to ensure production continuity.