Vanguard Products Corporation today announced the addition of its VC2500 silicone compound to its portfolio of materials certified to NSF International Standard 51 (NSF/ANSI 51) for food equipment materials. The compound has been evaluated and approved for repeated-use applications in commercial food processing and handling environments.
VC2500 is a 70 Shore A durometer translucent silicone engineered to meet stringent requirements for food contact materials, including compliance with applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. Certification to NSF/ANSI 51 confirms that the material is non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, and will not impart contaminants to food under intended conditions of use.
NSF International, a globally recognized independent organization, establishes public health standards and conducts testing, auditing, and certification across multiple industries. The NSF mark indicates conformance to rigorous safety and performance criteria and is widely accepted by regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and end users. NSF also serves as a collaborating center with the World Health Organization in areas including food safety and water quality.
Engineering Performance and Material Capabilities
The inclusion of VC2500 extends Vanguard’s NSF/ANSI 51-certified elastomer range with the following capabilities:
- Durometer Range: 50–70 Shore A silicone formulations
- Color Options: Red, black, translucent, and gray for application differentiation and product identification
- Thermal Performance: Operational range from -100°F (-73°C) to intermittent exposure near 600°F (315°C)
- Chemical Resistance: Enhanced durability against animal fats, oils, steam, and commercial cleaning agents commonly used in food processing environments
These properties support use in demanding applications such as gaskets, seals, and tubing where regulatory compliance and long-term material stability are critical.
Vanguard’s complete NSF/ANSI 51 listing is available upon request, along with detailed technical specifications for VC2500 and related compounds.