E-Plas provides bulk handling sites with a range of plastic liners designed to keep the flow going and minimise wear while optimising performance.
Certain hoppers on a bulk handling site are hard to access – some requiring extensive downtime due to how the site is constructed.
If something begins to clog these hoppers, it can cause chaos throughout the rest of the process, bringing operations to a halt until flow can be resumed.
To avoid this expensive issue, bulk handling sites often line hoppers with specialised materials.
Rupin Joshi, national operations manager at E-Plas, said much more goes into the process of lining a chute than simply supplying the material.
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“We work closely with our clients, learn about the product that is being handled and speak with our supplier – Mitsubishi Chemicals Advanced Materials – to find the right option,” he told ABHR.
“E-Plas is involved from start to finish. We do the fabrications, machining, provide bolts for installation, and have a team available to assist with any issues. We’re a one stop solution when it comes to liners.”
E-Plas has supplied specialised liners to a diverse range of industries for more than 40 years, from mining, agriculture, ship building, and the transport industry.
Each of these different industries has its own unique demands, which is why the company finds out more about the process.
One of the company’s premier products is its TIVAR ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) product range.
TIVAR polymers are produced using an advanced compression moulding technology and ram extrusion. They are designed to provide specific solutions to tough problems in some of the most demanding applications, such as the mining industry.
TIVAR 88 has a distinctive blue colour, and was developed specifically for the bulk handling industry, undergoing rigorous laboratory and field testing to ensure it reduces arching, ratholing and erratic material flow.
The plastic has a high-abrasion, corrosion, and impact resistance, with no moisture absorption. It retains its properties at temperatures of -269–80 °C and is resistant to aggressive chemicals.
Several bulk handling applications can use TIVAR 88 liners, including chutes, silos and hoppers, bins, screw conveyors, truck beds, slider beds, vibratory feeders and more. It can also be used for wear strips, belt scrapers, conveyor skirting and chain conveyor flights.
Joshi said TIVAR is a venerable brand that is trusted in heavy industries.
“TIVAR 88 has been around for decades. It is one of the most highly specified bulk handling materials globally and we’ve never had a complaint about its performance,” he said.
“We also offer TIVAR 88-2, a weldable UHMW-PE lining that can be used as a drop-in liner, which saves on installation time. It uses rapid release technology to eliminate arching, ratholing and flow problems, working best in situations where sticky bulk materials are being conveyed.”
Cement, coal, bauxite, synthetic gypsum, sand, iron, fly ash and clay are notorious for causing blockages in chutes and can cause extreme surface wear to the equipment. TIVAR 88-2’s low co-efficient of friction and slippery non-stick surface mean bulk materials flow smoothly and discharge without hang-up.
E-Plas also provides QuickSilver Truck Lining System, a lining system specifically modified for use within trucks. The liner ensures that material doesn’t stick to the interior of trucks, which eliminates carry-back and prevents possible tip-over due to the low tipper elevation. It also improves turn-around time between loads, as well as cutting down time spent clearing material.
Both product groups are manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemicals, which invited Joshi to see the manufacturing process in Europe earlier this year.
He said the trip was eye opening, providing insights into the materials.
“I attended an extensive training session while in Europe and learned was able to see where they were being put to good use overseas,” he said.
“Our relationship with Mitsubishi is very strong – we include them in discussions with clients and do joint meetings with them for certain applications. If there are any issues or questions, they’re always available to help.
“We have invited them to visit some of our customer’s sites with us, and while I was in Europe, we went out and visited some of their clients too.”
This close collaboration with its supplier has led to the introduction of a new product – QuickSilver Heavy Duty. The liner features a distinctive green colour and will be able to handle some of the most abrasive materials, including crushed glass.
E-Plas plans to target industries like transport and mining that need the most abrasion resistance possible and intends to prove it can match aluminium truck bodies.
The new QuickSilver Heavy Duty range is expected to be available in Australia within the next few months.
