Category Archive: food grade o-rings

The Importance of Non-Leaching Materials in Water Treatment Applications

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Now that we’ve reached the start of summer, one thing that’s on most people’s minds is water. Whether you’re heading to the local pool or reaching for a cool beverage, this time of year, you can never seem to have enough water. But how can municipalities ensure the safety of their water?

Any water that’s accessed through a tap has already undergone extensive processing. Wastewater and drinking water treatment plants go through billions of gallons of water every day. But even as bacteria and contaminants are filtered out, there’s still a concern of other pollutants leaching into the water from the system itself. To combat this issue, it’s important for treatment systems to use non-leaching materials, including silicone tubing and seals.  Even after the water reaches your home, there are several places where harmful contamination can be picked up from places in your homes. PVC, a commonly used material for piping and flexible tubing, has been known to leach concerning chemicals, and several countries in Europe are moving to ban its use wherever possible. Unlike metal pipes that can corrode or leach heavy metals into the water, silicone offers a safe alternative even when exposed to high temperatures.

And after processing, silicone materials are often used in other applications. In laboratories, for example, there is always a need for high-purity water for medical and scientific purposes. Any contamination at all could throw off results, so employing a system that won’t introduce foreign particles is essential. And of course, standard drinking water must also be kept clean to keep residents healthy. Recent headlines have shown the dangers of old water infrastructure leading to lead contamination throughout the country – which is why it is so important to take stock of all of the materials throughout the water supply chain.

Even in household filtration systems – including water and ice dispensers in refrigerators – any time water is being brought from one location to another, consider the materials being used during transport. Silicone is a safe material that can fill many roles in the water processing sector.

Eliminating Harmful BPA from the Food & Beverage Industry

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As food and beverage processing continues to evolve, there’s a focus on flexible, durable products that can withstand pressure and protect the products inside. For this reason, plastics are a common material for fluid conveyance and other parts used in processing.

Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA, is a plasticizer used in products involved in the food processing sector . It has been in use for almost 50 years and was a top choice for use in plastics due to its ability to be easily molded, create shatterproof products, and allow those products to be lightweight. Scientists have since found that BPA can leach into foods and drinks, leading to hormonal disruptions. These disruptions result in higher rates of neurological, immunity, and reproductive problems. Exposure to BPA has also been linked to childhood asthma, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Silicone has recently become popular on the market due its natural elastic properties without the need for plasticizers. Silicone doesn’t use BPA, or other plasticizers like BPS, or BPF, making it an ideal material for food and beverage processing applications. Throughout food manufacturing plants, silicone can replace plastics in conveying systems, molded parts, and seals. Vanguard Products Corporation produces silicones that are perfect alternatives in these roles, and many are certified to NSF-51 for safety when they come in contact with food and drink products. Silicone is a much safer alternative for health-conscious food manufacturers and consumers. We strongly recommend using this material rather than plastic-based products for food and beverage production and handling.

To speak with an expert and discuss the benefits of silicone in food handling, call Vanguard at 203-744-7265.

American Made O-Rings Make the Difference

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American Made O-Rings

Not all O-Ring products are created equal. While O-Rings may seem like an afterthought, they’re actually essential components you can’t skimp on.  A lot rides on each O-Ring you purchase and put into place. If one O-Ring fails, you could be looking at damage that can shut down an entire operation or application, and even put your workers in danger.  In short, you need to choose your O-Rings carefully.

Whether you realize it or not, the vast majority of standard O-Ring products purchased here in the US, even those purchased from US based “manufacturers,” are actually manufactured and sourced outside of the United States.  While overseas manufacturing has certainly improved over the past decades, you still too often hear of unauthorized material substitutions or poor quality from these anonymously sourced products.
At Vanguard, we don’t do low quality O-Ring products, and we don’t do outsourcing or offshoring.  Our philosophy always has been and continues to be to offer cost competitive alternatives to these outsourced products while maintaining and advancing the quality reputation we have earned over the past 45 years.  All of our O-Rings products, whether standard or custom, are made right here in the USA.  You know what you’re getting when you buy from us. All of Vanguard’s O-Ring products are made in our ISO 9001:2008 certified facility and can be custom formulated to meet your exacting mechanical properties, color needs, and resistance demands. Whether you need food grade, MIL Spec/Aerospace Grade, or ASTM D2000 certified O-Ring products, skip the overseas manufacturers and rely on Vanguard. Unlike so many factories abroad, we don’t thrive on anonymity: we have nothing to hide! We stand behind everything we make. It is simply not worth risking your money and time to take any chances with your O-Ring requirements.