Gear Pump for Resins and Paints

The 2026 FBE catalogue (p.3) places paints, varnishes, enamels, solvents and resins on the series' chemical applications card, and the printing industry among the other segments. The MTEC-01/01 manual (p.1) describes the FBE as developed for viscous fluids, with applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical and textile industries, among others. The series runs from 1/8″ to 6″, plus the 10″ that the 2026 FBE catalogue lists in its selection table (p.6), and the catalogue gives a range of 30 to 100,000 SSU and discharge pressure up to 22 kgf/cm² (p.3). The FBEI, an internal gear pump, appears in the 2026 FBEI catalogue as ideal for transferring high-viscosity liquids, with limits of 136 m³/h, 14 bar differential pressure and 140,000 cP (p.3 and p.4). These are series limits: each size has its own, and they do not apply at the same time. The name of the chemical family does not select the pump. Identify what passes through it: base resin, hardener, finished paint, varnish or pigment paste, with the technical and safety data sheets of the product actually pumped, including solvents, additives and particles. Viscosity comes with the temperature and the measurement method; if the laboratory measured at more than one test speed and the values differ, send them all.

A resin data sheet usually gives dynamic viscosity, in centipoise (cP), while the FBE speed table uses SSU, a measure of kinematic viscosity. The Hydraulic Institute defines kinematic viscosity as viscosity relative to the liquid's density. The 2026 FBE catalogue (p.5) converts in two steps: centistokes = centipoise ÷ specific gravity (g/cm³) and, above 300 SSU, SSU ≈ centistokes × 4.635. Example: a resin with 5,000 cP at pumping temperature and a specific gravity of 1.1 has about 4,545 cSt, or 21,068 SSU. In the catalogue table, the 10,000 to 50,000 SSU row calls for 500 to 300 rpm, through a pulley or reducer, and lists the FBE from 1.1/2″ to 6″. The size follows from the required flow at that speed, and the power from pressure and efficiency: the catalogue tabulates efficiency by viscosity and pressure and recommends a power margin of 50% to 10% on the commercial motor, depending on absorbed power. In a positive displacement pump, such as a gear pump, higher viscosity reduces slip and raises volumetric efficiency, but friction losses increase absorbed power, and the net positive inlet pressure required (NPIPR) also rises with viscosity, according to the Hydraulic Institute. That is why suction goes into the enquiry along with viscosity: line length and diameter, tank level and product temperature.

• 30 to 250 SSU: 1,750 rpm, direct drive (FBE 1/8″ to 1″D).
• 250 to 2,500 SSU: 1,150 rpm, direct (FBE 1/8″ to 5″).
• 2,500 to 7,500 SSU: 850 rpm, direct (FBE 1/2″ to 6″).
• 7,500 to 10,000 SSU: 700 to 500 rpm, pulley or reducer (FBE 1.1/2″ to 6″).
• 10,000 to 50,000 SSU: 500 to 300 rpm, pulley or reducer (FBE 1.1/2″ to 6″).
• 50,000 to 100,000 SSU: 300 to 150 rpm, pulley or reducer (FBE 3″ to 6″).

When the product thickens considerably or tends to solidify as temperature drops, keeping the pump heated during operation is essential. FB documents offer the heating chamber, an accessory of the FBE and the FBEI in the 2026 catalogues, which circulates the plant's heating fluid, such as thermal oil. On the FBE, the jacketed variant (CA) starts at 1.1/2″ (2026 FBE catalogue, p.6 and p.7; MTEC-01/01, Table 1), with inlet and outlet of 3/8″ BSP on the 1.1/2″ and 1/2″ BSP from 2″ to 4″ (MTEC-01/01, Table 17). In the enquiry, state the pumping temperature, the minimum temperature the product reaches at standstill and the viscosity at both.

The Hydraulic Institute defines viscosity as a liquid's resistance to shear stress, and absolute viscosity as shear stress divided by shear rate. If the formulation has a shear restriction, turn it into a verifiable criterion: the property that must not change, such as viscosity, colour or solids content, the tolerance and the test carried out after pumping. FB documents give operating conditions, not a shear rate per model. On the FBE, speed falls as viscosity rises, from 1,750 rpm down to 300 to 150 rpm (2026 FBE catalogue, p.5). The standard FBEI series runs at low speed through a reducer, which the catalogue associates with longer service life, low NPSH required, higher efficiency and lower noise (p.4). For dosing, what the Hydraulic Institute says about positive displacement applies: theoretical flow is proportional to speed, and pressure and viscosity change the delivered flow through internal slip. The FBEI catalogue speaks of constant flow, but the mixing ratio is secured by the assembly of pump, drive, measurement and control. The required tolerance goes into the enquiry and is demonstrated on that assembly.

The 2026 FBE catalogue (p.3) lists casing and covers in ASTM A48 CL30 cast iron, ASTM A536 60-40-18 ductile iron, ASTM A216 WCB carbon steel or ASTM A743 CF8M stainless steel; shafts and gears in SAE 1045 steel or AISI 316L stainless steel; bushings in self-lubricating bronze, cast iron, PTFE, graphite or babbitt metal; and a relief valve in brass or AISI 304 stainless steel. Sealing is by packing, mechanical seal or lip seal. In the MTEC-01/01 manual, the standard seal is type 21, in ceramic × graphite × viton, with an AISI 304 stainless spring (item 2.5), and the magnetic coupling is the special seal for applications where no leakage is allowed, with corrosive, toxic or explosive fluids (item 2.7). For the FBEI, the catalogue lists packing and single, double or cartridge mechanical seals (p.4). The catalogue lists construction options; it does not approve each material for every resin, solvent or pigment. Compare materials and elastomers with the complete product composition and with the cleaning agent. For flammable products, include area classification and component requirements in the design: the manual provides for a coupling guard in carbon steel or non-sparking material and drive by electric motor or combustion engine. In Brazil, electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres is subject to the applicable Inmetro certification regulation. Stainless steel or a seal type alone does not establish installation safety.

• Base resin and hardener: separate data sheets and mixing ratio.
• Pigmented paint: particle nature, size and concentration.
• Water-based formulation: additives and contamination restrictions.
• Solvent formulation: safety data sheet and area classification.
• Sensitive product: acceptance criteria after pumping.
• Colour change: permitted residue and cleaning sequence.
• Materials and sealing: compatibility with the cleaning agent too.

Describe the batch sequence, the cleaning agent and the residue allowed between colours. State whether cleaning is in-circuit or requires access to the equipment, and check material compatibility. On the FBE, the body is cast in a single piece, with feet and ports opposed at 180° (MTEC-01/01, item 2.1), and the catalogue lists as spare parts the drive and driven shafts, the gears, bushing sets, covers, the packing gland and its nut, the lip seal, the mechanical seal and the relief valve (2026 FBE catalogue, p.4). For fluid with suspended solids, the manual asks for FB to be consulted (item 2.3). The FBEI catalogue lists reversible rotation and an internal relief valve (p.3); if the cleaning procedure reverses the flow, say so in the enquiry. Measure cleaning time in the process and validate it against the product acceptance criterion. This guide gives no universal time per series and no proven percentage reduction. Access and installation drainage should be part of the proposal comparison.

Both are positive displacement pumps, with different principles. On the FBE, two external gears with helical teeth, mounted one above the other, carry the product around the periphery, between the teeth and the casing, to the discharge, and the meshing itself prevents return to suction (2026 FBE catalogue, p.2; MTEC-01/01, p.1). On the FBEI, the principle is gear within a gear, and the teeth form a seal between suction and discharge (2026 FBEI catalogue, p.2). The published limits also differ. The FBE runs from 1/8″ to 6″, plus the 10″ that the 2026 FBE catalogue lists in its selection table (p.6), up to 100,000 SSU and 22 kgf/cm² discharge pressure, with direct drive by electric motor or by gear motor (p.3 and p.4). The FBEI has six sizes, from 1.1/2″ (up to 6.8 m³/h) to 6″ (up to 136 m³/h), up to 140,000 cP and 14 bar differential pressure, with the standard series driven through a reducer; the catalogue describes it as self-priming (p.3 and p.4). The comparison is made at the same duty point: viscosity at pumping temperature, flow, pressure, solids and heating. The proposal confirms the series, size and drive.

Technical assessment should combine product and operating requirements: formulation data, batch size, flow, pressure, temperature, viscosity, cleaning and tolerances. For replacement, add the existing pump’s nameplate and drawing. The proposal confirms execution, accessories, documents, adaptations and supply conditions. Some FBE models are held in stock, and availability is given in the quotation. Neither port size nor resin name establishes pump equivalence or guarantees pumped-product quality.