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Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (often incorrectly called Teflon) is used to line the sloping areas of self unloaders. The lower slopes and hogbacks will be lined with sheets of this material which is screwed into place with flush fasteners. It is very helpful for coal and sticky cargoes like gypsum. It also absorbs impact of cargo during loading to reduce the wear on the steel plates which form the structure of the holds. I believe not many USA fleets added this to their vessels but this is common on Canadian ships.

in 1972 CSL put some type of vinal coating on the cargo hold walls. did it help? perhaps but the cargo (usually coal} still got "hung up" down into the cargo hold went the deckhands holding onto the chains trying to free up the coal cargo. im sure to this day the same problem sometimes occurs. ore pellets and stone generally flow freely. one time in thunder bay a sticky cargo had to be dynamited to make it flow. the people doing so knew what they were doing, no damage to the vessel and yes it was successful

Yes, read about the MV Fred White / American Courage. I think they for one.

Have any of the current self unloaders on the lakes have their interior holds designed to make unloading easier? Such as coatings on the interior of the holds to allow cargo to discharge and slide down the hold walls better? Just curious.