Written on 21.02.2013 - Technology
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PPSU + EPDM for critical fluid handling uses

ColorGrip gasket rings for fluid handling in medical applications.

The ColorGrip gaskets from Integra Companies, Devens, MA, USA, feature coloured locator rings made of Radel PPSU from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, for high-purity fluid handling applications for the biopharmaceutical industry. The locator rings made of the PPSU are more chemically resistant and offer better sterilisation than those made of competing plastics, said the company.

The injection moulded locator rings are designed to solve common installation problems by aligning the gasket, which is made of EPDM, on the ferrule face. The locator rings are available in eight colour options to provide external identification. Colour coding can be easily used to segregate process fluids, identify essential processes, or to simplify preventative maintenance replacements. Cavallero Plastics, Pittsfield, MA, USA, moulds the outer PPSU ring. James Walker & Co. Ltd., the developer of Elast-O-Pure EP75 EPDM rubber, injection-moulds the gasket onto the outer ring.

Radel was selected because of its strength, thermal performance, chemical resistance, and strong sterilisability. According to Solvay, it can withstand over 1,000 cycles of steam sterilisation without significant loss of properties. It is inherently flame retardant and is resistant to bases and other chemicals. It is also compliant with ISO 10993-1 for limited exposure applications. The Elast-O-Pure EP75 EPDM rubber provides very good sealing performance in critical bioprocessing applications, improved compression set, strong release properties, and very good resistance to Steam in Place (SIP) processes and Clean in Place (CIP) chemicals, resulting in extended service life.