Introduction
M&K International Group has extensive experience providing high-quality sealing solutions across various industries. One notable client in the beverage industry is a leading provider of beer taps and cooling systems to pubs and clubs around Australia. This client is aggressively expanding overseas and requires reliable, versatile sealing solutions to support their growth.
Customer Requirements
The beverage client primarily used NBR (nitrile rubber) in their seals. However, with the rapidly expanding range of craft beers and ciders, NBR was not always the best material for the job. In one particular case, consumers complained of a strange smell in their cider. After extensive investigation, it was discovered that the cider was reacting to a combination of cleaning agents, rubber seals, and stainless steel, causing a small amount of sulfur to be released into the cider.
The M&K Approach
To address this issue, the customer changed the grade of stainless steel used in their fittings and sought M&K’s advice regarding the rubber seals. While NBR was suitable for most applications, a small number of cleaning agents were still reacting with NBR. Given that the customer had no control over the cleaning agents used by pubs and clubs, they needed a compound that would not react with any cleaning agent.
M&K proposed and supplied different compounds of NBR, silicone, and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) seals for testing. The goal was to find a compound that would not react with any cleaning agents used in the industry.
Challenges and Solutions
- Chemical Resistance: Extensive testing revealed that all silicone and a handful of EPDM compounds were adequate in resisting reactions with cleaning agents. The silicone seals were identified as the best overall, but their cost was more than double that of the original NBR seals.
- Cost Efficiency: To balance performance and cost, the customer selected a particular grade of EPDM that was almost the same cost as NBR but offered superior chemical resistance.
- Quality Assurance: After reviewing M&K’s manufacturing and QA procedures, the customer was confident that the high standards required for the EPDM compound could be maintained. This enabled a smooth transition to EPDM seals with minimal disruption to their operations.
Results
The transition to EPDM seals was successful, and the seals have been in operation for many years without issues. They have proven effective not only with beer and ciders but also with wines, spirits, and ginger beers offered on tap. The customer reported no further complaints of strange smells, and the EPDM seals have maintained their integrity and performance across various beverages.
Conclusion
M&K International Group’s expertise in providing custom sealing solutions, combined with their rigorous quality assurance and cost-effective manufacturing processes, positions them as a trusted partner in the beverage industry. By working closely with customers to understand their specific needs and challenges, M&K delivers solutions that enhance product performance and reliability.
For more information or to discuss your specific project needs, contact M&K International Group for a free consultation and quotation. Let us help you achieve excellence with our custom sealing solutions.