Trelleborg materials give outstanding performance in tests
Materials engineered by Swedish industrial group Trelleborg Sealing Solutions for its static seals for hygienic-design couplings have given outstanding performance in tests, the company says. In particular, a newly developed Fluorocarbon (FKM) gave unrivalled results for this type of sealing material. Volume swell in all Cleaning-In-Process (CIP) media was minimal, indicating that the compound will give long-term sealing integrity for gaskets and O-Rings in pipe couplings.
The three materials recommended for hygienic-design couplings, EPDM E7502, FKMs V8605 and V8T41, underwent various tests, one of which was immersion in 21 commonly used CIP fluids. After this the materials were measured for volume swell. In all cases but one the volume change of the materials was well below 10%, which is the percentage that is allowable in such applications.
The FKM V8T41 gave the best overall performance. In the demanding conditions created by a combination of a 2% solution of acidic acid, citric acid and formic acid at +60°C, volume swell was well below 5%. In a 1% concentration of acidic CIP media with oxygen at +40°C, virtually no swell was recorded. In addition, the material is suitable for hot water and steam applications up to 170°C.
‘Based on our tests we are confident that our new range of static seals for hygienic-design couplings in recommended materials will give long-term sealing integrity,’ said Ferdinand Schwabe, pharmaceutical, food and beverage segment manager for Europe. ‘This will contribute to a lower meantime between planned maintenance and overall production costs for users.’
EPDM E7502 has high chemical resistance, giving it long life in polar solvents, steam and hot water along with suitability for contact with alkaline cleaning fluids. Tests prove it to be a good all round material including in Water-for-Injection (WFI) applications at high temperatures. FKM V8605 is for high-temperature processes or where there is contact with edible oils or cosmetics, or in processes where lubrication with grease or mineral-based oils is required. FKM V8T41 is suitable for use in heat exchangers or other Ultra-High Temperature processing (UHT) equipment. It also gives high performance in contact with dry and liquid products in pharmaceutical and bioprocessing equipment.
All of the materials are compliant with FDA, 21 CFR177.2600, 3-A, USP Class VI, as well as against cytotoxicity (USP and DIN EN ISO 10993-5) and conform to regulation (EC) 1935-2004. Gaskets and O-Rings are supplied in sizes specified by ISO 2852, DIN 11864 and DIN 32676 along with custom-made configurations. www.tss.trelleborg.com