Recommended maintenance methods for fused silica ceramic roller table
The quartz ceramic roller table, as an important component of the tempering furnace, has a significant impact on the quality of tempered glass. The following are recommended methods for roller table maintenance and upkeep:
Roller maintenance and upkeep
As a preventive maintenance measure for the roller table, roller cleaning is the most ideal. Periodic cleaning depends on glass quality requirements, glass thickness, and the amount of SO2 used. Generally ranging from 4 to 8 weeks or 6 months.
Heavy building glass often requires furnace maintenance, roller cleaning, and excessive application of SO2 during the production and normal use of the tempering furnace.
The ceramic roller table can only be cleaned with water, and softened water is preferred. Absolutely no detergent is needed. Detergent will react chemically with the roller bed, causing crystallization and scrapping of the roller bed. Due to its extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, the roller table can be cleaned under hot conditions. The glass debris on the surface of the roller table can peel off due to the thermal shock caused by cold water hitting the hot roller table. During the entire cleaning process, attention should be paid to protecting the shaft head from overheating. The roller table can be cleaned well at room temperature.
Soft linen towels like the 3M Scotch Brite are very effective. After cleaning, the roller table needs to be dried. If the roller table has been soaked in water and heated too quickly, steam will form on the surface of the roller table, causing damage to the roller table.
The sediment on the surface of the roller table is generally sodium sulfate, which may also contain other elements from glass, dust and debris from glass, lining in the furnace, or other sources.
Water and non-metallic abrasive plates can effectively wash and remove sediment. After cleaning, some hard spots may still exist. The recommended practice is that sandpaper can only be used to remove these nodules at this time. Use very fine sandpaper, usually ranging from 600 to 800 mesh. If possible, try to avoid using sandpaper to wipe the roller table. If sandpaper is used for wiping, it may cause ripples or unevenness on the surface of the roller table. The sanding roller table may also affect the polishing of the surface of the roller table, resulting in faster nodules or deposits in the area after being sanded. If sanding is indeed necessary, it must be ensured that dust cannot be introduced into the furnace. The roller table must be cleaned again after sanding. Use a damp cloth to wipe the roller table to prevent a large amount of water. Water will bring small particles into the pores of the roller bed and gather there. When the temperature of the roller bed increases, they will migrate to the surface of the roller bed. These particles are often the cause of white fog on the glass after the furnace is reheated. After cleaning, it is recommended to wipe the roller table with a coarse cloth to remove particles from the surface of the roller table.
The frequency of roller cleaning varies greatly, usually depending on the cleanliness of the internal environment of the furnace, workshop environment, furnace cleaning, operating processes, glass cleaning, SO2 use, etc., which can affect the cleaning and cleaning frequency of the roller.
The order of successful cleaning of the roller table is usually as follows:
1. Use a coarse cloth to wipe the rollers of the furnace and loading platform.
2. Use a damp coarse cloth to wipe the rollers of the furnace and loading platform.
3. Use gauze to dry the roller table while sensing the surface of the roller table with both hands.
a. If smooth, wipe again with a coarse cloth and install it into the furnace.
b. If it is not smooth or some fragments are visible, start the fourth step.
4. Use a minimum of water and non-metallic abrasive pads to clean the roller table.
5. Use a coarse cloth towel to dry the roller table while feeling the surface of the roller table with your hands.
a. If it is smooth, wipe it again with a coarse cloth and load it into the furnace.
b. If roughness or nodules are visible, repeat steps 4 and 5 before starting step 6
If roughness and nodules still exist, use fine sandpaper, file, or abrasive to remove local spots.
7. Use a damp cloth to wipe the roller table or use the minimum amount of water to clean the roller table.
8. Use gauze to dry the roller table and feel the surface of the roller table with your hands.
a. If smooth, wipe again with a coarse cloth and then place it in the furnace.
b. If the roughness or nodules are still present, repeat step 6.
c. Once the surface of the roller table is smooth and dry, always wipe the roller table again with a coarse cloth and install it in the furnace.
The service life of the roller table largely depends on the situation described above. When judging the normal use of the roller table, ensure that the surface of the roller table is intact. A rough roller surface can greatly affect the contact surface between the glass and the roller, and may also produce defects. Some small pits on the surface of the roller track may not cause the roller track to be scrapped, but the small pits generally have a large surface area and are the most likely areas for sedimentation. The protrusion on the surface of the roller table is one of the reasons for cleaning the roller table or stopping use, as this defect must leave traces on the glass. Another possible reason for the scrapping of the roller table is the damage or looseness of the steel sleeve. In order to avoid such possible looseness, it is necessary to ensure that the steel sleeve part of the roller deck does not overheat due to damaged insulation materials, or open the furnace at blast furnace temperature to expose the steel sleeve part to high radiation heat. The deformation or eccentricity of the roller table due to non roundness is also a reason for the scrapping of the roller table. If it is determined that the circular runout of the roller table is too high, we suggest that you directly contact the roller table manufacturer.
