How Durlon® Materials Support Clean, Compliant Operations
In food and beverage processing, sealing systems play a critical role in protecting product quality, maintaining sanitary conditions, and passing regulatory audits. Gaskets must perform reliably through washdowns, chemical exposure, and frequent temperature cycling — all without introducing contamination risk.
Durlon® gasket materials are engineered specifically for these demanding environments. At Catawba Rubber, we work with food and beverage processors to supply Durlon sealing solutions that reduce leakage, extend service life, and support compliance across sanitary applications.
Why Sealing Is Challenging in Food & Beverage Facilities
Food and beverage environments place unique stresses on gaskets and seals, including:
- Tight regulatory oversight (FDA, USP, WRAS requirements)
- Repeated clean-in-place (CIP) and steam sterilization cycles
- Exposure to aggressive cleaning chemicals and process fluids
- Zero tolerance for contamination or material degradation
- Frequent shutdowns caused by gasket wear or failure
Many conventional gasket materials struggle under these conditions. Over time, they can harden, delaminate, swell, or shed particles — increasing downtime and risk to product integrity.
Durlon® Sealing Materials Built for Sanitary Service
Durlon addresses food and beverage sealing challenges with a broad portfolio of purpose-designed materials. These products are selected for their chemical resistance, thermal stability, and hygienic performance.
Key attributes include:
- Regulatory compliance: FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP Class VI, WRAS approvals, and API fire-test ratings where applicable
- Extensive material options, including:
- LT200 / LT300 — PTFE-based materials for general sanitary sealing
- 9645, 5000 — specialty grades for elevated temperatures and aggressive chemicals
- 8400, 8500, 8600 — high-performance elastomeric solutions
- 9000 / 9000N, 9200, 9400 — advanced materials for extreme operating conditions
- Custom gasket fabrication to match flange size, configuration, and surface finish
- Installation guidance to ensure proper gasket stress, torque, and sealing performance
- Long service life, reducing unplanned maintenance and spare inventory
Catawba Rubber helps customers identify the most effective Durlon material for their application and supports proper specification from selection through installation.
Benefits & Common Applications
Advantages of using Durlon in food and beverage processing include:
- Confidence in meeting food-contact and safety regulations
- Reduced maintenance interruptions and gasket replacement
- Streamlined sourcing from a single, trusted supplier
- Lower total cost of ownership through extended gasket life
- Improved traceability with full material documentation
Typical applications include:
- Sanitary piping systems and process tanks
- Heat exchangers and plate systems
- CIP and SIP loops
- Beverage, dairy, and liquid food transfer lines
- Chemical dosing and cleaning systems
- Tank manways and instrument connections
Why Work With Catawba Rubber
When you partner with Catawba Rubber, you gain more than a gasket supplier. Our team provides:
- Application-focused material recommendations
- Custom gasket cutting and fabrication
- Local inventory and responsive delivery
- Support with specifications, certifications, and documentation
- A long-term partner focused on reliability and compliance
Our goal is to help your operation run cleaner, longer, and more efficiently — without sealing failures slowing you down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Durlon gasket materials approved for food contact?
Yes. Many Durlon products used in food and beverage applications comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and are also tested to USP Class VI and WRAS standards.
Can Durlon gaskets withstand CIP and steam cleaning?
Absolutely. Durlon materials are designed to resist chemical attack, repeated thermal cycling, and steam exposure common in CIP and sterilization processes.
How do I choose the right Durlon grade?
Selection depends on temperature, pressure, chemical exposure, and flange design. Catawba Rubber can review your operating conditions and recommend the best material for long-term performance.
How long do Durlon gaskets typically last?
Service life varies by application, but many users experience significantly longer life compared to standard gasket materials when properly specified and installed.
Talk With a Sealing Specialist
Food and beverage processors need sealing solutions that combine cleanliness, durability, and compliance. Durlon’s engineered gasket materials deliver on all three.
Contact Catawba Rubber today to discuss your application, review material options, and schedule a no-cost consultation to improve your sealing performance.