Freudenberg-NOK showcases food and beverage material expertise at BevTech

PLYMOUTH, Mich., May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (Freudenberg-NOK) is a world-class leader in advanced material research, testing and development. So when it comes to sealing complex food and beverage systems, the company knows that meeting a material specification does not necessarily guarantee a component's success.

In fact, the demands placed upon materials used in the food and beverage industry, in particular, require in-depth testing at a molecular level to determine if their actual performance will achieve their intended function – a crucial consideration when choosing the proper sealing component for machinery and systems.

"Our job is to determine if the component will work based on its material and design," said David Clark, Operations Manager of the company's central research laboratories in Plymouth, Mich. "Passing a customer's material specification does not guarantee successful sealing. You need non-traditional, analytical testing to really know if a part will work. This is what separates us from our competition."

Freudenberg-NOK offers customers a variety of sophisticated testing capabilities to analyze and resolve their sealing challenges. Those testing capabilities, which include  Compressive-Stress-Relaxation, flavor transfer/retention, state of cure, and analytical testing, set the company apart from its competitors and help guarantee that seals and components from Freudenberg-NOK achieve their intended function the first time and every time.

"We work with a lot of different rubber materials and can counsel our customers about which one will work best in a particular setting," Clark said. "Our central laboratory testing capabilities are designed to characterize sealing materials' resistance to fluid and temperature exposure."

Clark will speak about Freudenberg-NOK's advanced materials and testing methodologies at the International Society of Beverage Technologists annual meeting, BevTech 2016, May 2-4 in Fort Myers, Fla. His message is succinct: rubber seals are critical components in food and beverage dispensing applications. In order to meet or exceed customer expectations, it is important to understand  a variety of complex factors, including the material science of different elastomer types, the selection and development of a rubber compound, and the various test methods used to measure fluid and temperature compatibility with this compound. 

Clark's talk takes place on Tuesday, May 3 at 2:30 p.m. In addition to this presentation, Freudenberg-NOK will be showing a trio of globally-certified sealing materials at BevTech 2016. Among these is a new low-temperature Fluorocarbon (FKM) that has been developed  for use in European food and beverage industry. The material is currently in the certification process for NSF51 and EC1935/2004 compliance.

The new low-temperature FKM demonstrates dramatically improved low temperature flexibility over conventional FKM materials at working temperatures at or below 0˚ C (32˚ F). The material is highly resistant to low and high ratio syrups, municipal water treated with chloramine or chlorine and cleaning solutions.

Freudenberg-NOK will also showcase two other globally certified food and beverage industry materials, Fluoroprene XP and 70 EPDM 291.

Fluoroprene XP is a family of highly fluorinated premium universal materials approved for use in Europe and the United States that can be used by the food and beverage industry in the most demanding sealing situations. Freudenberg-NOK's Fluoroprene XP portfolio consists of five materials that are available in two hardness grades. The appropriate compound is chosen based on the area of application and the need to bond to metal or fabric.

Fluoroprene XP combines the positive attributes of Etheylene Polypropolene Diene Monomer  (EPDM), Silicone (VMQ) and FKM while offering universal media resistance in all critical areas of the food and beverage industry. The material is stable in a wide range of temperatures and demonstrates low capacity to absorb and transfer flavors from product media.

The company's 70 EPDM 291 is impressive for its mechanical properties, which change comparatively little after contact with cleaning agents. The material demonstrates very good stability in acids, bases, polar solvents and Clean In Place / Sterilization In Place (CIP/SIP) media. It is stable in water and steam to 180 °C (356 °F) and has very good resistance to aging, ozone and light. Like Fluoroprene XP, 70 EPDM 291 complies with European and American FDA food contact regulations.

About Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is the Americas joint venture between Freudenberg and Co. in Germany and NOK Corp. in Japan. Freudenberg-NOK is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for a variety of markets including: aerospace; agriculture; appliance; automotive; construction; diesel engine; energy; food and beverage; heavy industry; and pharmaceutical. Founded in 1989 under the legal name Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership, Freudenberg-NOK is headquartered in Plymouth, Mich. and operates more than 20 facilities across the Americas. For additional information, please visit www.fnst.com.

SOURCE Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies

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