Order food-grade silicone gaskets from South Eastern Gaskets in Victoria or South Australia for washdown equipment and custom sealing.
Food-grade silicone gaskets can suit washdown processing equipment when the specified silicone grade, gasket design and operating conditions are compatible. Food-contact suitability alone is not enough; the seal must also withstand the actual temperature, cleaning chemicals, compression and process media.
Why Are Food-Grade Silicone Gaskets Used in Washdown Areas?
Silicone is commonly used for washdown equipment because it suits a broad temperature range and is available in food-contact grades. Our listed silicone conforms to FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 for repeated food contact and has a published operating range of −60°C to 200°C. However, we need details about chemical exposure, pressure, joint movement, thickness, surface condition and cleaning frequency before recommending a material or preparing a quote.
Cleaning also affects the wider equipment system. Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidance on cleaning and sanitising explains that cleaning removes food waste, dirt, grease and other matter, while sanitising reduces microorganisms to safe levels. Gaskets, joints and contact surfaces therefore need to be included in the processor’s documented cleaning and inspection procedures.
Match the Gasket to the Cleaning Conditions
Washdown routines vary between processing lines. A seal exposed to ambient-temperature water has different requirements from one subjected to hot water, steam, concentrated chemicals or repeated thermal cycling. The product being processed may also introduce fats, oils, acids or other substances that change which elastomer is appropriate.
Before selecting silicone, confirm:
- Food-contact requirement: Identify whether the gasket has direct, incidental or no contact with food.
- Cleaning regime: Provide detergent and sanitiser names, concentrations, temperatures and exposure times.
- Operating duty: State the normal and maximum temperature, pressure and frequency of equipment cycling.
- Process media: List the food product, liquid, vapour or other substance contacting the seal.
- Mechanical conditions: Confirm compression, movement, flange type and whether the joint is opened regularly.
Our materials range includes silicone, food-contact EPDM and nitrile options, plus PTFE materials. Comparing the complete duty may show that a different food-contact material is more suitable than silicone.
Specify the Shape, Thickness and Quantity
A custom gasket should match the equipment interface rather than being forced into place. Incorrect dimensions, misplaced bolt holes or unsuitable thickness can prevent consistent compression and allow moisture or residue to enter the joint. Send us:
- An approved drawing or PDF with all dimensions
- Gasket thickness and any hardness requirement
- Bolt-hole, cut-out and profile details
- The quantity required now and expected repeat quantities
- Any material specification or supporting documentation required
- Details of the sealing faces and the gasket being replaced
Our custom gasket manufacturing capabilities include CNC knife cutting for difficult flat profiles from customer-approved drawings or PDF files. We also have rubber moulding and vulcanising capabilities for silicone, EPDM and nitrile products. The appropriate method depends on whether the requirement is a flat-cut gasket, moulded component or another seal format.
Protect Production with the Right Gasket Supply
Waiting until a seal fails can turn a straightforward replacement into urgent downtime. Processors can improve maintenance readiness by identifying critical gaskets, retaining controlled drawings and ordering planned spares for equipment that cannot operate with a damaged seal.
South Eastern Gaskets is a family-owned gasket manufacturer with facilities in Victoria and South Australia. We cut and mould custom products and primarily serve these two states, with customers elsewhere in Australia and overseas.
For food-grade silicone gaskets, send our team the drawing, operating conditions, cleaning chemicals and required quantity. Request a material review and quotation so we can assess the sealing requirement before production.