Restoring Performance : Refurbishment & Re-Chroming for Heat Exchanger Tubes

In food and dairy processing, uptime and product consistency are non-negotiable. Properly maintained scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) tubes are critical to ensuring efficient operation and sanitary performance.

Our comprehensive refurbishment and re-chroming process does more than just restore your equipment—it extends service life, mitigates contamination risks, and prevents unexpected production stops.

Best of all, our service costs a fraction of replacement part

Know your next step.

REPAIR NEEDED - SCHEDULE SERVICE SOON

CRITICAL CONDITION– IMMEDIATE ATTENTION RECOMMENDED

BEYOND REPAIR- REPLACEMENT REQUIRED

Our Step-by-Step Refurbishment Process

Comprehensive Initial Inspection

The process begins with a complete evaluation of the tube’s exterior and flanges. We flag any signs of wear, dents, or corrosion and provide repair recommendations based on operational impact. We also closely inspect the interior to assess the severity of chipped chrome, pitting, or any damage that could compromise cleanability or product flow.

Custom Detail Focus: At your request, we can give special attention to O-ring grooves and seal areas, restoring them as needed to guarantee proper sealing under pressure. We verify all machining details—including flanges, threads, and locking lugs—to ensure flawless integration with your SSHE system.

Stripping & Surface Preparation

Once initial inspections are complete, the existing chrome plating is carefully stripped to expose the base metal. The tube’s interior diameter is then honed and buffed to remove surface imperfections. A second inspection is performed at this stage to check for any residual grooves or galling that could impact performance.

Precision Re-Chroming & Finishing

The tube is re-chromed with a hard, durable layer to a precise thickness of 0.1 - 0.15mm (0.004 - 0.006 inches) per wall to resist wear under continuous use. Finally, a post-plating hone is applied to bring the interior to a high-gloss finish. This step is critical for maximizing product flow and maintaining hygienic, food-contact surfaces.

Final OEM-Grade Inspection

Before any tube leaves our facility, it undergoes a third and final inspection. We rigorously verify that the refurbished tube meets or exceeds all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications before clearing it for reintegration into your production line.