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Major Design
Challenges in Food
& Dairy Industry
Equipment
Ways to overcome them
with Polymer Seals-
PTFE and UHMW
1

2<2>
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
1. Equipment Design Challenges……………………………………………………………3
2. Contamination Issues………………………………………………………………………13
3. Facts about PTFE and UHMW………………………………………………………….23
4. 7 Ways to Overcome with Polymer Seals…………………………………..…….34
5. Conclusion and Recommendation……………………………………………………43

There are several major design issues faced in the food and dairy
industry, including …
1. Temperature conditions that range from extremely high to cryogenic
4<4>

2. Contamination
5<5>

2. Contamination
3. Exposure to harsh chemicals
6<6>

2. Contamination
4. Excessive moisture
7<7>

2. Contamination
5. Corrosion
8<8>

2. Contamination
5. Corrosion
6. Continuous sanitation regimens
9<9>

2. Contamination
5. Corrosion
7. Regulations
10<10>

2. Contamination
5. Corrosion
7. Regulations
8. Expensive shutdowns
11<11>

2. Contamination
5. Corrosion
7. Regulations
8. Expensive shutdowns
12<12>

<14> 14
In these industries, simple things like
lubrication of seals and bearings become
major issues because of potential
contamination. Potential contaminants in
the food and dairy industry are varied,
ranging from lubricants, antimicrobial
barrier fluids, insects, splinters of plastic
or metal, to coolants. Even contamination
at the microbial level can lead to very
expensive recalls.

<15> 15
Seals for chemicals that are relatively inert may
have to be exposed to harsh sanitizing
chemicals on a regular basis.

<16> 16
Because of strict sanitation regimens, including
processes such as CIP (clean-in-place) and SIP
(sterilization-in-place), seals and bearings not
only have to exhibit chemical inertness with
regard to the liquids and gases that are
designed to be exposed to on a daily basis, but
also to harsh and potentially corrosive cleaning
agents.

<17> 17
The operating temperature for a seal or
bearing may be well within the range of the
material chosen, but it may be exposed to
even higher temperatures for sanitation.

Materials that come in contact with food
and dairy products must be scratch
resistant to prevent trapping
contaminants. This means that they must
have outstanding abrasion resistance
without damaging the surfaces they
contact. Any surfaces that contact foods
must be smooth and easily cleaned. In
addition, the surfaces cannot be damaged
or corroded by cleaning agents.
18<18>

Whereas in some applications seal failure
may lead to a puddle of oil in the floor, in
the food and dairy industries it may lead to
disastrous contamination consequences.
Challenges Faced in the Food and Dairy Industry
19<19>

To deal with such issues, many engineers
have decided to build in hygiene
beginning at the design stage of new
equipment.
20<20>

Sanitation is another major consideration
in seal design and selection for the food
and dairy industries.
21<21>

These are just examples of challenges faced by engineers in the food and
dairy industries as they implement seals and bearings.
22<22>

UHMW is a subset of polyethylene and
the acronym stands for ultra-high-
molecular weight polyethylene. UHMW
is considered one of the toughest plastics,
with the highest impact strength of any
existing thermoplastic polymer.
24<24>
NOTE
UHMW is one of the few materials that can resist
abrasion so well while still being soft enough for use in
sealing applications.

It combines extremely high abrasion
resistance (up to 6x better than steel)
with a low coefficient of friction
(comparable to that of Teflon), moisture
absorption that is almost non-existent,
and overall good dimensional stability.
25<25>
NOTE
UHMW is one of the few materials that can resist
abrasion so well while still being soft enough for use in
sealing applications.

Other Facts about PTFE and UHMW
• UMHW also has low gas permeability.
26<26>

• It works well in temperatures ranging
from cryogenic applications to regular
steam exposure.
27<27>

steam exposure.
• Unlike many polymers, it does not suffer
from cold embrittlement.
28<28>

steam exposure.
• Unlike many polymers, it does not suffer
from cold embrittlement.
• UMHW is non-toxic and has no odor
associated with it.
29<29>

• When used in food and dairy
applications, its shatter resistant
properties are important, as well as its
resistance to corrosion and chemical
attack.
30<30>

attack.
• UHMW is also self-lubricating, which
means that when used as a seal there is
no need for additional lubricants that
can act as a contaminant.
31<31>

attack.
• UHMW is also self-lubricating, which
means that when used as a seal there is
no need for additional lubricants that
can act as a contaminant.
• It also meets USDA, 3-A Dairy, and FDA
guidelines.
32

Some people may be more familiar with
its use in fiber form, where it is called
Spectra or Dyneema.
33

Ways to Overcome with
Polymer Seals -
UHMW and PTFE
7

35
With federal oversight, strict standards for hygiene and sanitation, and
high competition, it is important that engineers working in the food and
dairy industries know their options are when it comes to designing and
specifying equipment seals. There are seven ways UHMW (ultra-high-
molecular-weight polyethylene) and PTFE (also known as Teflon) seals
can solve some common (and expensive) seal problems in the food and
dairy industries.

<36> 36
Contamination by lubricants. Both PTFE and
UHMW are self-lubricating, eliminating the need
for additional lubricants that run the risk of
becoming a contaminant.01

<37> 37
Leakage of seals due to thermal contract/expansion or
moisture absorption.
PTFE and UHMW have outstanding dimensional
stability, and more specifically they absorb almost no
moisture. This can be vital in applications where parts
need to be periodically steam cleaned or sanitized by
heat or steam.
02

<38> 38
Corrosion and degradation after exposure to cleaning and
sanitizing agents.
Chemically speaking, PTFE and UHMW react very little
with other chemicals. They are both very corrosion
resistant, even under the harsh chemical conditions they
may be subject to as a part of a regular cleaning and
sanitation regimen. It is noteworthy that PTFE does not
degrade when exposed to UV light, which is often used for
sanitation.
03

<39> 39
Scratched surfaces. UHMW is considered the most
abrasion resistant thermoplastic on the market. In fact,
it can resist abrasion up to six times better than steel
without damaging the surfaces it contacts. PTFE
actually repels debris that could be trapped and
subsequently cause abrasion. Both of these plastics
offer excellent abrasion resistance in even the most
demanding environments.
04

<40> 40
Wear. After being in use for extended periods of time,
seals are subject to wear which can lead to unexpected
failure. Fortunately, PTFE and UHMW both have
outstanding wear properties. This reduces machine
downtime as seals are replaced, and ultimately means
a more productive environment.
05

<41> 41
Changes in taste or odor due. PTFE and UHMW are
both non-toxic, and will not affect the taste or smell of
food and dairy products that come in contact with
them, even if that contact is extended.06

<42> 42
FDA Compliance. Both PTFE and UHMW are
FDA compliant.
07

<43> 43
With the challenges facing food and
dairy equipment maintenance and
reliability engineers, the exceptional
properties of PTFE and UHMW seals and
bearings are a viable option for many
applications within the processing
industry and original equipment
manufacturers.

Innovation in new materials development,
seal and bearing geometries, and manufacturing
processes are at work providing our customers improved
solutions to engineering problems.
Advanced EMC Technologies
1095 Evergreen Circle, Suite 200
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
800 644-9770 or 713-389-5049
Advanced-EMC.com
info@Advanced-EMC.com

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7 Ways to Overcome Major Design Challenges in Food & Dairy Equipment with Polymer Seals

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