Material Overview
EPDM
EPDM sealing materials engineered for aseptic technology
Industry specific materials improve integrity
Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber (EPDM) polymers are fully saturated, unpolar hydrocarbon based elastomers. Their polymer geometry gives them superior compatibility with polar fluids and polar solvents at elevated temperatures.
The materials have:
- High chemical resistance
- Give long life in polar solvents, hot water and steam
- Suitable for contact with alkaline cleaning fluids
- Excellent in most dairy applications and with WFI (Water For Injection) at high temperatures
Materials technology enhances capabilities
All recommended EPDM grades are peroxide cured and contain a very low amount of softeners and process aids. This reduces potential leach out to a minimum, lowering the risk of contamination. They have also been engineered to achieve enhanced chemical and thermal stability along with compliance to FDA 21 CFR177.2600, 3-A, USP Class VI, Cytotoxicity (USP 87), NSF51 and several water approvals.
Areas of use:
- Used in almost all types of applications as a universal material, suitable both in cleaning and sterilization processes.
- Typical applications are filling, dispensing, pumps, pipe and flange gaskets, valves, quick connectors, tanks, separators, homogenizers, decanters and heat exchangers.
Products:
O-Ring, Square Seal, Kantseal, Flat Seal, Gaskets, Diaphragms, also reinforced. EPDM can also be bonded to other materials and delivered as engineered parts in almost any design.
Read about specific applications using EPDM:
- Flange gaskets for pipe couplings
- Superior chemical resistance in quick couplings
- Seals for retractable tank spray system
NBR
Good mechanical performance from NBR
Excellent performance in animal and vegetable fats
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is a good choice for applications where seals will not be exposed to harsh cleaning regimes, ozone or superheated steam. These materials are copolymers of butadiene and acrylonitrile. The percentage of these in the NBR formulation determines their performance characteristics.
NBR materials:
- Give good mechanical properties
- Have long-term operating temperatures from -30°C to +100°C / -22°F to +212°F and up to 120°C / 248°F for short periods
- Special formulations give good resistance to hydrocarbons of high aromatic content and water
- Ideal for meat and poultry processing they have excellent performance in animal and vegetable fats
Grades are available that are compliant to FDA 21 CFR177.2600 and 3-A standards.
FKM
Excellent performance from FKM materials
Standard FKM optimized for steam environments
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has optimized the performance of our Fluoroelastomer (FKM) material range, engineering it to meet the specific criteria of the processing industry.
Materials demonstrate:
- Good elevated temperature characteristics
- Compatibility to acidic CIP fluid, fatty food products, food grade lubricants and oils
Products:
O-Ring, Square Seal, Kantseal, Flat Seal, Gaskets, Diaphragms, also reinforced.
FKM can also be bonded to other materials and delivered as engineered parts in almost any design.
Areas of use:
- Especially suited for processes where there is contact with high fat media such as grease and oils or at high temperature.
- Typical applications include Mechanical Seals, Decanters, Separators, Pumps, Tanks, Valves, Heat Exchangers and equipment cleaned using CIP and SIP regimes.
FKM grades
Read about specific applications using FKM:
- Maximizing production in mix proof valves
Resifluor 500
Resifluor™ 500: superior properties from a FKM
Increased flexibility from Resifluor™ 500 range
The Resifluor™ 500 range is a highly fluorinated specialty FKM with a modified polymer architecture, specifically developed for critical bioprocessing, food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications. It is engineered to combine the chemical resistance of an EPDM towards polar fluids, alkalis and acids, with the performance characteristics of FKM materials in a variety of aggressive fluids.
Resifluor™ 500 shows:
- Excellent resistance to attack by a variety of chemicals and fluids, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, acids and bases, all types of alcohols and even low molecular ketones, esters and aldehydes
- Compared to conventional FKM materials, it has better resistance to steam and caustic cleaning regimes
Provides exceptional cleanliness
Resifluor™ 500 also has low total organic carbon and metal extractables similar to PTFE, which gives the ultimate in cleanliness. This makes it suitable for pharmaceutical applications and bioprocessing in particular, where any extractables may interfere with bio organisms.
Areas of use:
- Especially suited to processes where there is contact with high fat media such as grease and oils or at high temperature.
- Typical applications include Mechanical Seals, Decanters, Separators, Pumps, Tanks, Valves, Heat Exchangers and equipment cleaned using CIP and SIP regimes
Products:
O-Ring, Square Seal, Kantseal, Flat Seal, Gaskets, Diaphragms, also reinforced.
FKM can also be bonded to other materials and delivered as engineered parts in almost any design.
Isolast FFKM
Isolast® FFKM: The ultimate in elastomer sealing
Outstanding resistance to chemicals
Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) materials are terpolymers of monomers in which all hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine. The absence of hydrogen in the molecular chain dramatically increases both their chemical and thermal resistance. The cross-linked molecular chains enable them to combine the resilience and sealing force of an elastomer with the chemical inertness and thermal stability of PTFE.
Unrivalled operating characteristics
Isolast® is the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions range of high specification perfluoroelastomer compounds. It offers the widest portfolio on the market engineered to meet specific processing demands. Virtually inert, the materials perform well in a broad range of chemical media including organic and inorganic oxides, acids, alkalis, amines, esters and steam at continuous operating temperatures from -25°C to +325°C / -13°F to +617°F.
Improving production efficiency
In tests Isolast® is proven to have better operating characteristics than other elastomer types as well as competitive perfluoroelastomers. The two grades J9515 and J9516 have been developed to meet the most stringent standards and are ideal for sealing in aggressive solvent-based cleaning fluids. They help reduce downtime and improve production efficiency by extending seal life.
Areas of use:
Isolast® provides the ultimate solution for elastomer sealing in aggressive chemicals and at extreme temperatures.
Recommended for similar areas of use to those of EPDM or FKM materials but where extremely aggressive media is present.
Products:
Isolast® can be manufactured in a variety of standard and custom designs. In addition, we have developed many innovative cost-effective solutions that minimize FFKM content.
Read about specific applications using Isolast®:
- Superior chemical resistance in quick couplings
- Bonded part for safety valves
- Seals for retractable tank spray system
Silicone
Silicone inherently inert to bacteria, mold and fungi
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions materials give superior performance
Silicone materials are ideal for use in bioprocessing, food, beverage and pharmaceutical production due to their inherent inertness to bacteria, mold and fungi.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions provide materials that:
- Give excellent heat resistance, cold flexibility and dielectric properties
- Are especially good where exposure to ozone and oxygen is likely
- Have operating temperatures from -60°C to +200°C / -76°F to +392°F
- Have exceptional low surface energy, meaning seals will not adhere to counterparts.
- Demonstrate low long-term compression set
- Are sutaible for use in hot water, animal and plant fat, some lubricants and glycerin.
Care should be taken if specifying in acids, alkalis, ketones, esters and steam above 100°C / 212°F, where chemical degradation can occur.
Silicone compounds are grades SC6L1 and S700R8.
Turcon
Turcon®: Unrivalled PTFE sealing capabilities
Dynamic and rotating sealing elements
Inherently, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is compatible with almost all chemicals, making it ideal for use in equipment where seals are likely to be exposed to aggressive media, including CIP and SIP regimes. Specific operating properties are achieved by the addition of fillers and special processing technologies.
Turcon® gives:
- Excellent friction and self-lubricating characteristics
- Is suited to dynamic and rotating applications
The world’s largest manufacturer of PTFE based seals
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is the world’s largest manufacturer of seals in this type of material, and no other sealing supplier can offer such a wide range of grades. All of these are produced at our own facilities in Europe, US, South America and Asia. Turcon® is the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions brand of proprietary PTFE based compounds.
Engineered for demanding environments
With so many options, a cost-effective choice is available whatever the application. For environments where seals are not exposed to process media, compliance to approvals is not necessary. In these cases T05, T19, or T46 are the standard choice.
Turcon® MF designed for processing needs
Where compliant materials are needed, the Turcon® MF range has been formulated to meet bioprocessing, food, beverage and pharmaceutical production demands. Based on ultra-clean technology, these compounds are manufactured from high-purity PTFE grades and additives. Their smooth finish, with high gloss and low porosity, avoids the risk of contamination buildup and reduces particle shedding.
Areas of use:
- For static, reciprocating and rotary applications
- Pharmaceutical and serum production where avoidance of line stops is critical
- Mixed process streams in multipurpose equipment where seals are exposed to a variety of extremely aggressive cleaning solvents and CIP fluids
- Low and High temperature environments
Read about specific applications using Turcon®:
- Turcon® Variseal® Hi-Clean eliminates contamination in filling machines
- Abrasion resistance in coffee machines
Zurcon
Zurcon®: specialist engineered plastic based material
Zurcon®: specialist engineered plastic based material
Zurcon® for reciprocating and oscillating situations
Zurcon® is the brand name for the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions range of engineered plastic based materials. Its friction characteristics mean it is ideal for reciprocating, very slow rotating and oscillating situations where high wear resistance is required.
Zurcon® Z80
Zurcon® Z80 has an operating temperature from -196°C to +80°C / -321°F to +176°F continuous use up to +125°C / +257°F for short periods. It is compatible with all water based and alkaline cleaning agents with steam cycles below +115°C / +239°F and compliant to FDA 21 CFR 177.1520.
Zurcon® Z2221
Zurcon® Z2221 is a proprietary polyurethane material specially developed for the manufacture of sealing elements. The material displays high wear resistance, low compression set and a wide operating temperature range from -30°C to +110°C / -22°F to +230°F. Compliant to 21 CFR 177.1680, it is suitable for use in various food applications where resistance is required. It is compatible with many water based and alkaline cleaning agents and with steam cycles below +115°C / +239°F.
Coating Technology
Advanced coating technology
Surface treatments to improve friction characteristics
Elastomers have a high coefficient of friction. This means they tend to stick, either to each other during automated assembly, or to mating surfaces when inserted into a housing. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions offers a number of surface treatments that improve the friction characteristics of elastomer seals. Enhancing wear resistance, they lower insertion forces and allow sealing in some dynamic applications.
FF Coating with FDA approval
FF coating is the ideal surface treatment for food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing.
- Compliant to FDA and other standards pertaining to the handling of food and potable water
- Water based, solvent-free and transparent
- Operating temperature of -40ºC / -40ºF to 150ºC / 302ºF
Ideal for automated assembly
The coating is suited for all kinds of elastomer seals, depending on their shape and size, and does not affect the seal’s natural elasticity. Its reduced friction makes it ideal in automated assembly processes. Suited for both static and low-level dynamic applications, with infrequent movement and short stroke rate, it retains its properties in repeated insertion and dismantling processes.
Areas of use:
- Plug-in couplings or quick-release couplings
- Seals inside valves
- Any kind of automated or manual assembly
FF Coating
| Type | Coating, PTFE |
| Color | Transparent (milky) |
| Quality Control | reference sample |
| Coating Thickness (guidance) | 2 - 10μm (deviations possible, dependant on the parts geometry) |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +150°C / -40°F to +302°F |
| Approvals / Guidelines | FDA HHS 21 CFR Ch. I §§175.300/177.1520 approved according to the Foodstuffs and Commodities Act (LMBG, § 5, paragraph 1, § 31, paragraph 1) complies with the standards of the German Federal Environmental Agency (FEA), valid for the area D2 (seals) |
| Hardness of the coated part | increase in the hardness of the sealing surface of up to +4 IRHD possible (measured on the finished part) |
| Characteristics |
|
| Area of application | for all types of elastomer (dependant on formulation) |