Silver News
Rubber Seals with Silver Ions Keep Milk Safe
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The Netherlands-based Eriks group is introducing sealing rings containing a silverbased biocide aimed at the dairy industry to provide protection against bacteria that
can build up on processing equipment.
The seals are produced from a special rubber compound, Elastoguard-HNBR, developed in conjunction with Milliken Chemical. Silver ions permeate the parts molded from the material to provide long-lasting protection against bacteria even if the seals are worn during repeated washings and normal abrasion during operation.
The company notes that the rubber compound may also find use in other applications, especially those that are subjected to high heat and high wear conditions such in gaskets, castors and diaphragms on pumps. Testing is now underway with brewers and other food processors, Eriks officials said. |
In addition to their antibacterial characteristics, the rings offer superior tolerance to oil and grease while maintaining tight seals.
“The dairy industry is proving to be very positive in its acceptance of the sealing rings produced from Elastoguard-HNBR,” said Marc van Oost, International Product Manager Sales And Rubber, for Eriks. “They are a cleaner product, free of microbes that require less on-line cleaning and will lead to
reduced machine downtime. We expect, also, for applications to develop rapidly in other markets where there is a requirement to eliminate bacteria and microbes as completely as possible.”
Silver News - Second Quarter 2005
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