This Engineer's Workshop looks at the release of sticky food from a surface. This is key to understanding machinery contamination and product handling issues, including conveyor transfers, and may help with Christmas puds!Each material has an inherent stickiness, or surface activation energy, from non-stick materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene to 'sticky' materials like hot jam. For better release, it makes sense to choose a low-scoring contact material as a base, coating or liner. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.Surface condition will affect adhesion, so any testing must be done on 'fresh' or representative surfaces. The characteristics of dirty or changed surfaces won't match the theoretical ones. Lubricants and release agents can beneficially alter surface conditions.
展开▼
