ESK Presents Ceramic High Tech Solutions to Professionals at ACHEMA 2009

Along with a wide spectrum of components for pumps, compressors and seals, the leading manufacturer of high-performance ceramics will also present heat exchangers and microreactors made of its extremely wear-resistant EKasic material. The 29th International Exhibition Congress on Chemical Engineering, Environmental Protection and Biotechnology will be held from May 11 to 15. It enjoys high regard as a global forum with innovative solutions for all areas of the process industry. “ACHEMA is ESK’s most important trade show for showcasing our high-tech ceramic products for the pump and seal industries, but also for the chemical and process engineering and process-plant sectors,” says Dr. Thomas Jüngling, president of the ESK Board of Management.

Custom Solutions of High-Performance Ceramics

ESK is the leading supplier of sintered silicon carbide (SSiC) materials to the global pump and seal industries. This ceramic material is extremely abrasion, wear, heat and corrosion resistant. Silicon carbide components therefore increase reliability and prolong the lifetimes of process and chemical engineering apparatus. With its extensive materials know-how and many years of expertise, ESK provides custom product solutions to the highest quality standards for challenging applications, for example in pump technology. The wide range of EKasic sintered silicon carbide materials can be individually tailored and fabricated to customers’ design requirements. This allows it to maximize performance and reliability. On request, ESK offers a variety of supply chain solutions for globally active customers, including concepts tailored to specific regional requirements.

Corrosion-Proof and Wear-Resistant

Sintered silicon carbide’s properties, such as excellent corrosion and wear resistance, make it ideal for use in chemical process engineering. Other materials quickly reach their limits on contact with Page 2 of 6 aggressive fluids, such as acids, alkalis or hot water. At its trade fair booth, ESK presents products from various EKasic silicon carbide materials. Besides sealing components, such as mechanical seals, gas sealing rings and sliding bearings, it will also present rotary unions, shafts, ball valves and other components that meet these specifications.

Higher Performance thanks to Surface Engineering

The performance of ceramic components can be further improved by controlled modification of their surface structure. It is possible, for example, to modify the microstructure, incorporate secondary particles, use tribo-active layers or apply laser structuring. These innovations in surface engineering will be one of ESK’s highlights at ACHEMA 2009.

Time-Tested for Heat Exchangers

Another highlight at ESK’s booth is the use of EKasic silicon carbide for producing heat exchangers. As the leading manufacturer of high-performance ceramics, ESK will present various products from its portfolio, such as plate and block heat exchangers, heat-exchanger plates and microreactors. Ceramic plate heat exchangers, which ESK is also presenting at the fair, are characterized by compact design, flexible fluid guidance and high heat-transfer rates. They are ideal for condensation and evaporation of aggressive chemicals, or cooling erosive fluids. Their key applications lie, for example, in the chemical, pharmaceutical, semiconductor or steel industry. Various designs of EKasic® plate heat exchangers are marketed in cooperation with Pfaudler Werke GmbH of Schwetzingen/Germany. Pfaudler will present them at ACHEMA at its booth B32-B41 in hall 3.

Block heat exchangers are particularly suitable for high flow rates or particle-laden fluids. Because of their robust design, they can be used, for example, in pickling baths in the steel industry. ESK is the world exclusive supplier of EKasic silicon carbide blocks to SGL Carbon GmbH for use in block heat exchangers. At ACHEMA, this leading manufacturer of carbon and graphite products can be found at booth F9-G13 in hall 4.

About ESK Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG

ESK Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced ceramic products and materials for industrial applications, and a specialist in the field of nickel dispersion coatings. Our extensive range of materials comprises borides, carbides and nitrides, for example boron carbide, boron nitride, silicon carbide, silicon nitride or titanium diboride. ESK’s product portfolio includes 18 registered trademarks and 10 specialized materials used by customers from over 30 industries around the world. Furthermore, ESK is continually developing new applications for ceramic materials in cooperation with customers and research institutes. The company was founded in 1922 and now employs over 700 people at its headquarters in Kempten (Allgäu/South Germany) and its subsidiary in Bazet (France). Since 2004, ESK has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceradyne Inc., which is based in Costa Mesa, California (USA) and publicly listed on the US NASDAQ technology stock exchange. Ceradyne has over 2,350 employees at a total of 14 sites worldwide. Its sales in 2008 reached USD 680 million. As globally successful manufacturers of technical high-performance ceramics, Ceradyne and ESK are ideal partners, unleashing synergies to the benefit of customers.