CUSTOM FABRICATION

Specialized seals and O-rings are essential for maintaining safety and compliance across dairy, beverage, and water industries.

 

3A Sanitary (Food, Beverage & Dairy)

These seals are designed to meet strict hygienic criteria established by the 3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. (3-A SSI) for equipment used in the production, processing, and packaging of milk and other perishable foods. They are engineered for cleanability and must withstand rigorous sanitation processes like Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Steam-in-Place (SIP). Materials are tested specifically for resistance to milk fat absorption and aggressive cleaning agents like phosphoric acid. Common compounds include EPDM, Silicone, and high-performance perfluoroelastomers (FFKM).

 

NSF/ANSI-61 (Potable Water)

This certification ensures that seals and O-rings are safe for use in drinking water systems. The standard defines acceptable levels of contaminating substances (impurities) that can leach from components into potable water. These seals are formulated to be free of harmful additives like specific plasticizers or solvents that could affect human health or cause unpleasant tastes and odors.

Common applications include Water transmission, treatment systems, and beverage dispensing equipment.

 

FDA Compliant Food Grade

These seals meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 regulations, which specify the ingredients safe for use in rubber parts that come into contact with food. They must be non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, and have low extractable levels. Compliance is categorized by food type: dry foods (formulation/curation criteria), liquids (distilled water extraction limits), and fatty foods (n-hexane extraction limits).Note: The FDA does not "certify" individual O-rings; rather, manufacturers certify that their products comply with FDA-published material guidelines.

 

Metal Detectable O-rings

Specialized seals infused with metal fillers or magnetic metallic particles.Function: They allow standard metal detectors or X-ray scanners to identify fragments as small as 2mm if a seal degrades or shears off into the production stream.Benefit: They are critical for HACCP programs to prevent product contamination and avoid costly recalls in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

 

Vulcanized O-rings

O-rings are created by joining (splicing) the ends of a cord material through a chemical heating process called vulcanization rather than using a mold. This process allows for the creation of large-diameter or custom-sized O-rings that may not be available in standard molded sizes. When performed correctly, the vulcanized joint maintains similar chemical and temperature resistance as the base material, though it may have different mechanical strength compared to a continuous molded ring.