

Why are Our Metal Detectable O-Rings Important and Why Should You be Using Them?


A common issue with O-rings is that when they are constantly exposed to extreme temperatures, various cleaning chemicals and continuous harsh vibrations due to normal wear and tear, they will break down over time. The issue is that when they break down, tiny particles and fragments split off from the seal and can get deep into the pipework system. If this issue isn’t addressed in time, they will then eventually travel into the product flow and cause mass contamination. This is the reason why our metal detectable O-rings at Jacob UK from our DETECTABLE DESIGN range are so important.

What are they made out of?

Manufactured from superior materials, our metal detectable O-rings come in your choice of materials such as FKM, NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), Blue Silicone, Silicone and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer). Metal detectable O-rings that come in EPDM, Silicone and Blue Silicone are a part of our FOOD GRADE range. They are also available in a wide choice of diameters starting from 60mm up to 400mm.

Why is this important?

When it comes to operations for food products and other products that are manufactured for human consumption, an O-ring breaking down and being undetected is devasting. This is because a visual inspection will be required in order to locate all the foreign partials that have entered into the pipework system. This means that the machine operators will need to completely shut down everything until they can resume normal operation.

The consequence is a loss of time, a loss of production and in the worst of cases result in a complete product recall, damaging the brand and the company’s reputation.

So, how do they solve this issue?

The unique feature in our metal detectable O-rings, and our entire DETECTABLE DESIGN range, is that tiny metallic and magnetic particles are incorporated into the material. The reason behind this is so that in the event of an O-ring breaking down during operation, any and all foreign particles can be immediately and easily detected and identified. Once being quickly detected by X-rays or metal detectors, all particles can be removed with separators or by hand.

Apart from increasing safety standards, our metal detectable O-rings and DETECTABLE DESIGN range are manufactured and designed in compliance with the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements and the European regulation EC 1935/2004.

Why should I be using them?

Designed for repeated use against wear and tear, our range of metal detectable O-rings are much more durable and are easy to install, ideal for machinery with fast-moving parts or creates large amounts of pressure. The rubber in their material features muscle memory properties, allowing it to create a tight seal without the need for much pressure. Once applied, it will compress against the incision and expand to eliminate any gaps that remain to form a tight seal.

To learn more about our metal detectable O-rings, contact Jacob UK today. For more information regarding all our other products, browse our website to learn more.