O-Ring Sizes  Catalogue

Food and Drug Applications of Elastomeric Seals

Established since 1981, Gmors possess vast experience in the research, design and manufacturing of elastomeric sealing products for the food and drug industries. We offer the most extensive selection of elastomeric compounds to match every application in the food and drug processing industry.

Gmors offers advanced elastomeric sealing solutions to the world's leading manufacturers of equipment in the food processing, biochemical and life sciences industries. Increasing hygiene standards set by the industries present a challenge for elastomeric sealing materials, placing greater demands on the performance standards of o-rings and seals to resist the deleterious effects of aggressive chemical media, active ingredients and various processes of cleaning and sterilization. Additionally, elastomeric sealing compounds must comply with regulations like USP class VI, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, 3A-Sanitary Standards and Animal Derived Ingredients (ADI) Standards.

Food Contamination From Seal Degradation

Elastomeric seals used in equipment for food processing are exposed repeatedly to harsh service conditions like cleaning and high temperature sterilization, and over time, fragments may break off and cause contamination of food products. Surface deterioration of the seal will potentially advance microbial growth and further degrade hygienic conditions.

Requirements of Elastomeric Seal

Ability to resist chemicals present in the food product
Ability to resist chemical media used in CIP (clean-in-place) processes
Surface of seal should enable ease of cleaning and sterilization
Abrasion and wear resistance
Sealing material should be non-toxic
Application Areas

Decanters, separators, centrifugal pumps, piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, valves, centrifuges, homogenizers, pipes and fittings.

Standards Compliance

By complying with the regulations set by international standards for the food and drug industries, our customers can be assured of quality products delivered with complete certification.

USP Class VI: Equipment manufacturers in the health care, food and drug industries must comply with USP Class VI regulations to determine the biocompatibility of their products. Class 6 is the highest of six classes under the USP protocols and has also the most stringent testing requirements.

FDA 21 CFR 177.2600: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through its Codes of Federal Regulations (CFR) FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 regulates the use of ingredients and its quantitative limits within rubber compounds that are used in the manufacturing of molded products for the purpose of repeat use throughout all phases of food processing, which includes preparation, packaging and transportation.

3A-Sanitary Standards: 3A-Sanitary Standards set the criteria for the design of hygenic equipment in the food and beverage, and the pharmaceutical industries. Gmors offers elastomeric o-rings and seals in accordance with 3-A Sanitary Standards, which also meets the requirements of FDA CFR21.177.2600. Our products are also ADI-free, meaning that safety measures are in place to exclude disease causing agents from animal derived ingredients from entering into food processing systems.

Gmors offers a wide selection of elastomeric materials that conforms with the above standards. Material choice includes EPDM, FKM, HNBR, FFKM, NBR and Silicone. Contact us for a free consultation on the right choice of elastomeric material to match your temperature, chemical and other service requirements.