Flash rust is one of the most common challenges when performing wet or vapor cleaning protocols, and the worst part, is that it can affect your equipment and machinery within minutes, making it a real concern when sanitizing and disinfecting your meat processors and grinders.
What is flash rusting?
Flash rusting can be described as a very rapid onset (flash) of rust on a metal. This phenomenon occurs when a dry steel is subjected to conditions of high humidity or moisture. As the iron dries, it corrodes at a fast speed and gets covered with a orange layer of rust.
The levels of flash rust are defined as:
- No flash rust
Light (L): Exhibits small quantities of a yellow-brown rust layer that is tightly adherent and not easily removed by lightly wiping with a cloth. - Moderate (M): Exhibits small quantities of a yellow-brown rust layer that is tightly adherent and leaves light marks on a cloth that is lightly wiped over the surface.
- Heavy (H): Exhibits a layer of heavy red-brown rust that hides the initial surface condition completely and is loosely adherent, easily comes off and leaves significant marks on a cloth that is lightly wiped over the surface.
Can flash rust be prevented?
As a matter of fact, yes. There are a vast variety of rust inhibitors and protective coating products available to serve the purpose and control flash rusting.
Exterior cleaning and sanitation is a must in all meat processing plants. Our high-foaming chlorinated cleaner provides an extraordinary performance for this job. This is a high-foaming, all-purpose liquid detergent which combines surface-active agents with the power of alkalinity and chlorine bleach. Contains sequestering and chelating additives for effective performance in hard water conditions. May be used as a general cleaning agent on equipment, utensils, walls, and floors by brush or by a foaming device in all departments of meat, poultry, and general food processing plants. Not to be used on aluminum surfaces.
JAX T-Oil Food-Plant Machinery Coat is the best choice to protect the equipment at your meat processing plant, butcher shop or meat packing plants. This is a consistent, extremely pure USP white mineral oil to act as an ultimate sanitary protective coating.
JAX T-Oil Food-Plant Machinery Coat is FDA-approved and NSF 3H-registered for use as a lubricant or spray-down oil in areas where you know there will be direct contact, such as a release agent to prevent food from adhering during food processing.
When JAX T-Oil Food-Plant Machinery Coat is used on equipment and machinery after steam cleaning or power washing, it will help eliminate flash rust and create a film barrier to keep food or other contaminants from adhering to exposed surfaces.
Eng. Gerardo Medina