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3 expert tips for winter industrial maintenance and repair.

Three tips for winter industrial maintenance.

Winters can be a very busy time of year for Canadian manufacturers. Busy production schedules leading up to this season can create operational challenges that can fester and impact your throughput during the rest of the year.

It’s important to conduct winter industrial maintenance and repair activities to stay ahead of these issues. Preventive maintenance helps keep your plant optimised for the next peak cycle, while reducing the potential for small issues to disrupt your operations.

However, the winter months can make it especially challenging to perform preventative industrial maintenance and repairs on facilities and equipment. Even if you do have time to stop and address them, the cold winter temperatures can impact your ability to complete your tasks smoothly.

To make the best use of your time and help keep things running smoothly, here are three products I recommend to help you complete your top winter industrial maintenance and repair needs.

Three essential products for winter industrial maintenance, repair and operations activities.

Winter industrial maintenance schedule can prevent operational disruptions.

  1. Sealing:  Sealing seams and performing repairs at cold temperatures can be difficult as commonly used tape adhesive formulations get hardened and lose their tackiness when exposed to cold temperatures. 3M™ Venture Tape Aluminum Foil Tape 1520CW is specifically designed to perform in these conditions.

This high strength soft aluminum foil tape is coated with a cold-weather acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive, allowing it to bond and seal at temperatures as low as -10°F (-23°C). While it is relatively thick - 3.2 mil with a 1.8 mil aluminum backing - it conforms well to curved and irregular surfaces. It can be hand teared, making it ideal for when you need flexibility.

Expert tip: This tape also excels at high heat and humidity applications.

  1. Corrosion prevention:  Production managers are often concerned about protecting tools and equipment from rust and corrosion. 3M™ Silicone Lubricant (Dry Type) is designed to do just that by sealing out moisture.

This high solid, high viscosity lubricant helps prevent glue, wax, ink and paint buildup. It is generally used for lubricating machinery, moving parts and eliminating squeaks caused by friction. As a result, it helps prolong the life of your machines and tools.

  1. Outdoor protection: In an industrial facility, costly tools, equipment and parts can get left outdoors. As a result, they need extra protection from harsh external elements. The 3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979 is uniquely constructed to help with outdoor applications.

This tape is removable with little or no adhesive residue from most opaque surfaces up to six months after application. 3M™ Performance Plus Duct Tape 8979 is also resistant to delamination and deterioration when exposed to UV outdoors for up to one year. It is tested in accordance with UL 723 / ASTM E84.

Get more winter industrial maintenance and repair tips.

To stay up-to-date with industrial maintenance and repair expert tips, visit our equipment and facility page.

About the Author

[enBio=Across the globe, 3M helps companies and individuals succeed every day. All while contributing to true global sustainable development through environmental protection, corporate and social responsibility and economic progress. We are applying our science to make a real impact in every person's life around the world.],[enJob=Science. Applied to Life.],[frBio=Chaque jour, 3M aide les entreprises et les gens à réussir. Tout cela en contribuant au développement durable réel par le biais de la protection de l'environnement, la responsabilité sociale en entreprise et le progrès économique. Nous appliquons notre science afin de faire une différence réel dans la vie de chaque personne dans le monde.],[frJob=Science. Au service de la Vie.]

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3M™ Silicone Lubricant (Dry Type).