Corrosion and wear in moulding boxes

Abstract

We assess the potential causes of damage to mould box ends and find that both HOT corrosion, due to burning of emitted volatiles, and COLD corrosion, due to the presence of high humidity (and possibly high chloride ion concentration), are likely to contribute to the damage. We suggest strategies to minimise the damage, including venting of the volatiles, ventilation of the pallet grooves during cooling and minimisation of brushing effects during cleaning. Some calculations are described in an attempt to quantify the various effects discussed, but we are unable to accurately estimate their significance.