Choosing the right sealing material

The question of the most suitable material is particularly important, especially for critical components in mechanical engineering, such as seals. A precise check when selecting a material is particularly important, for the optimal sealing solution for the application in use.

Before choosing the right sealing material, four groups of requirements must be considered:

1. Operating temperature:

At what temperature range will the seal be used in? How high are the minimum and maximum temperatures? Are these temporary peaks or will the seals be continuously exposed to these temperatures?

2. Chemical resistance:

Which media must the seal be resistant against yet seal perfectly?

Will there be interactions, such as for example use in both acids and alkalis? Will oils or grease be used when fitting?

3. Mechanical properties:

How will the seal be used? Will this be a static seal or a dynamic seal?

For dynamic seals: How great is the mechanical stress? How often will the seal be moved? Seldom, regularly or continuously?

4. Approvals:

Which regulations and approvals apply to the respective production process, which must therefore apply to the seal materials used?

As well as meeting material requirements, must the material also comply with the requirements of hygienic design?

In the modern food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, there are increasing demands resulting from constantly improving production methods. In addition to general media resistance, e.g. to fatty media or to aromatic compounds or essential oils, many elastomeric seals must also meet the conditions for use in CIP or SIP procedures (CIP=Cleaning in place; SIP=Sterilisation in place). To meet these expectations too, we have a number of suppliers who produce such materials.

Materials specifically tested for the food and pharmaceutical industries are marked by manufacturers with special labels:

Specially tested for the food and pharmaceutical industries

In partnership with one of the leading manufacturers of CIP media, COG has subjected various high-performance seal materials for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries to thorough material tests.

These particularly resistant compounds for the use with SIP and CIP applications can be recognized by our symbols. Engineers and users in the food and pharmaceutical industries can rely on having comprehensively tested seals – in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, simply a must when it comes to safety.

Tested for maximum resistance

A considerable share of the stress that elastomer seals in the pharmaceutical industry are subjected to results from the frequent use of the very purest water (DI water and WFI). Because only specially selected materials are able to resist this over the long term, COG also offers compounds that have been tested for use in this sector, which you can recognise by our test icon.

All materials that come into contact with the products manufactured in the production process must meet defined standards and approvals required for the industry. There are different requirements in the food and pharmaceutical industries and still others in the chemical industry.

Overview of standards for the food and pharmaceutical industry:

Note:

After determining all the above parameters and requirements, we are able to choose and propose the best solution and the best material for the application.