Freudenberg-NOK silicone in the microwave
ERJ staff report (PR)
Plymouth, Michigan – Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies’ process seals division has developed a silicone material for the food and beverage industry, which is claimed to offer superior chemical and temperature resistance in aggressive environments.
Labelled LZ636, the silicone compound can be moulded into custom-tailored profiles and blocks microwave radiation leakage in large commercial applications. The material, adds Freudenberg-NOK incorporates proprietary fillers in a rubber base and is compliant with the US. Food and Drug Administration requirements.
The grade was developed in response to a request. from an oven manufacturer, which asked Freudenberg-NOK to develop a material that would eliminate microwave radiation leakage and resist high temperatures and aggressive chemicals.
“The customer’s engineers approached us about developing a robust, reliable sealing solution that would fulfill their challenging set of requirements … and improve the safety and seal longevity of their products,” said Todd Blair, a product development manager in the company’s Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada facility.
Blair teamed up with Dr. Paul Hochgesang, research fellow, in Freudenberg-NOK’s corporate technology laboratories in Plymouth. Hochgesang developed and tested a various rubber formulas that incorporated special additives and fillers. Samples were moulded in Tillsonburg and shipped to the customer for testing in commercial microwave ovens.
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive