Freudenberg seals advance for food & beverage Industry

Weinheim, Germany – Freudenberg’s seals replacement unit Freudenberg Xpress is offering a new, large seal welding process and a food-grade polyurethane for the food & beverage industry.

The welded seals are based on turned or extruded seal profiles made of original Freudenberg polyurethane materials, with FDA-compliant grade also available.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can be used across a wide range of temperatures and demonstrates excellent material properties, a Freudenberg release noted.

Welded seals from Freudenberg Xpress offer advantages over traditional solutions from competitors, the statement claimed.

“Competitor components rely upon the use of industrial adhesives or outmoded, imprecise welding techniques,” it said. “By contrast, Freudenberg’s advanced production process yields high-quality welded seams that offer… a long seal lifespan.”

New polyurethane

In addition to the welding technology, Freudenberg Xpress has developed a ‘high performance, blue polyurethane’. With global certification, including FDA, 3-A® sanitary standards and regulation (EC) 1935/2004 compliance, it can be used in hygienic applications in the process industry.

The material, said Freudenberg, is resistant to CIP/SIP media and processes and lends itself to automated cleaning of components and facilities in applications including valves, piping and fittings.

According to Freudenberg, TPU offers an interesting alternative to elastomers such as EPDM and FKM if elastic qualities are not required.

“TPU’s high wear resistance reliably prevents brittleness and crack formation… [and] is effective at temperatures of -25 to +110°C,” it said They also offer “a high degree of flexibility and can be used in applications where temperature fluctuation is a factor.”