Jeffrey
Chain Corporation
| COMPANY/LOCATION: |
Jeffrey Chain Corporation, Morristown, Tennessee |
| PRODUCT: |
Engineering class and precision roller chain |
| YEARS IN BUSINESS: |
Started in 1887; at current location since 1962 |
| EMPLOYEES: |
300 |
| SITUATION: |
Jeffrey Chain Corporation is an approved domestic supplier of stainless
steel chain that the City of New York uses in sewage treatment plants.
A problem with corrosion around the connection pins for the chain, which
is drawn across the bottom of settling tanks to remove solid waste, threatened
to cost Jeffrey Chain its approved bidder status with the city. Getting
its name on the approved list required a substantial investment of time
and money for the company. After receiving notification of the unusual
corrosion, Jeffrey Chain received samples of the corroded chain and examined
it, finding severe corrosion on the side bars and connection pins. The
company contacted the Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT)
for technical assistance in solving the problem. |
| PROJECT: |
ORCMT metallurgical engineers examined chain samples to determine the
cause of the "crevice corrosion" and offer possible solutions. After a
micro structural analysis of the corroded areas, the engineers concluded
that several factors had contributed to the corrosion. Chief among these
factors were: (1) the chain was being drawn through an already corrosive
environment at a slower-than-normal speed to increase the "aging time"
of the sewer sludge and (2) an infestation of microbes growing on the surface
of the chain was accelerating the corrosion in much the same way a barnacle
accelerates corrosion on a ship's hull. The plant where the chain was used
is an enclosed plant, which provides a more hospitable environment for
the growth of the microbe colonies. The ORCMT researchers suggested ways
to remove the microbe infestation from the surface of the chain to help
prevent the corrosion. |
| RESULTS: |
The technical assistance proved that Jeffrey Chain's product was not
defective and suggested an inexpensive and easy way to implement a solution
to the microbe build-up on the chain. At the same time, the assistance
allowed the City of New York to improve its waste discharge system by increasing
the aging time on the sludge, thereby reducing the amount of solids released
into waterways.
"Working with Oak Ridge gave the effort to find the cause of the problem
instant credibility. It was a very good team effort," David King, plant
metallurgist and quality control manager said. King rated the technical
assistance from ORCMT as "excellent" and estimated the findings from the
project helped prevent added production costs of up to $500,000, avoided
warranty costs of up to $1 million in 1996, and could mean increasing sales
by as much as $10 million over 10 years. |
Technical assistances provided to the private sector by the Oak Ridge
Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT) and its manufacturing extension
partners throughout the United States.
|
