Seals are a key barrier to protecting critical equipment. Get it right and your equipment is protected and works as planned. Get it wrong and it can cause problems that lead to system failure.
OEMs are increasingly looking for seals have these 3 product features that promote performance, safety, and reliability.
- Metal Reinforcement
- Silicone (vs. Thermo-Plastic Elastomers TPE)
- Flame, Smoke, Toxicity (FST) compliance
- Metal Reinforced- Performance/Reliability
For performance, metal reinforcement in the design gives the products resilience and longevity that drives consistently high performance.
- It creates stronger more powerful edge retention.
- Provides more dimensional stability and greater stiffness for better handling and assembly.
- Resistance to crushing or splitting.
Seal-Fast™ seals are reinforced with a steel/stainless steel wire mesh, improving strength and grip.
- Silicone – Performance/Reliability
While EPDM is the standard seal material, silicone seals are the preferred option when manufacturers need more performance characteristics for their applications. These include:
- Temperature resistance: can withstand higher temperatures than EPDM. 250°F-450°F (121°C – 232°C)
- Flexibility: more flexible than EPDM and can stretch up to 800% with strong tear resistance
- Lower compression set recovers its shape post-compression better than EPDM
- Food safety: Silicone is food safe, EPDM is not.
Silicone is often used in medical, food-grade, and electronic applications. EPDM is often used in outdoor, automotive, and construction applications.
Seal-Fast™ seals made with silicone and metal reinforced are seeing strong demand as so few manufacturers can provide that combination.
- Flame, Smoke, Toxicity- Safety
In many public-facing environments, fire and toxic smoke are a danger that authorities and regulatory bodies try to mitigate with specific regulations. The transit industry has led the way in this arena.
Seal-Fast Silicone seals improve overall fire safety due to its:
- High fire resistance and self-extinguishing characteristics
- Resistance to smoke development
- A high-temperature range diminishes the chance of a potential fire outbreak.
- FST compliant to meet US & worldwide standards like ASTM & EN45545-2. Wide compliance allows OEMs to have unified design specs across countries.
Seal-Fast Edge Seals
Device Technologies Inc (DTi) offers Seal-Fast seals in not only Silicone but also EPDM & PVC. They all meet industry standards and provide efficient, long-term performance. Some key features include:
- Excellent Grip Strength: stay in place without adhesives, rivets, or screws.
- Environmental Protection: vs. weather, moisture, dust, low/high temperatures, & UV.
- Multi-Axis Flexibility: for small corner radii, complex shapes, & tight spaces.
- Fast Assembly & Installation: reducing downtime and labor costs.
DTi also offers custom profiles using CFEA plus one-piece seals that can be quickly installed for a 360° fit.
Find out more about Seal-Fast Silicone
Request free samples here
