Metal Detectable & X-Ray Detectable Seals
Metal and X-ray detectable seals provide an additional layer of contamination control in food, beverage, dairy and pharmaceutical processing environments. If part of a seal is damaged during production, detectable compounds are designed to make the resulting fragment easier for inspection equipment to identify before the finished product reaches the consumer.
International Seal supplies detectable sealing solutions for hygienic and industrial applications, with material and detection technology selected according to the process conditions, product media and inspection system being used.
Why International Seal?...
- Custom compounding
- Adjustable detectability
- High mechanical properties
- FDA compliant
- Custom solutions
Available Compounds
CD100 NBR 70 Black
CD300 EPDM 70 Black
CD102 NBR 70 Blue
CD301 EPDM 70 Blue
CD401 SIL 70 Blue
CD200 FKM 75 Black
CD201 FKM 75 Blue
Compliance
FDA CFR 21 §177.2600
Available Materials
NBR • EPDM • FKM • Silicone
- Custom compound
Available Colors
Blue • Black
(others on request)
How Metal Detectable Seals Work
Conventional elastomers can be difficult for metal detection and X-ray inspection equipment to distinguish reliably from the surrounding product. Detectable compounds incorporate specialist additives that increase their response to the relevant inspection technology. If a detectable seal becomes damaged and a fragment enters the production stream, the inspection system may identify the foreign material and trigger the line’s normal reject procedure.
Detection performance depends on several factors, including the compound, fragment size, inspection equipment, sensitivity settings and the product being processed. For this reason, detectable components should always be validated on the customer’s own production and inspection equipment.
| Inspection Method | How Detectable Seals Assist |
|---|---|
| Metal Detection | Specialist additives increase the seal material’s response to compatible metal detection systems |
| X-Ray Inspection | Selected detectable compounds can improve the visibility of sealing material during X-ray inspection |
| Visual Identification | Distinctive colours can assist with identification during inspection and maintenance |
| Production Control | Inspection equipment may identify fragments entering the product stream and trigger the production line’s reject process |
Detectability depends on fragment size, the loading of the compound and the sensitivity of the equipment, so the smallest reliably detected fragment varies by installation. Detectable compounds are usually supplied in a distinct blue colour for visual identification as well.
Where Detectable Seals Are Used
Detectable seals are commonly specified where a sealing component is positioned close to an exposed product and damage could create a foreign-body contamination risk. Typical applications include food and beverage processing equipment, dairy systems, pharmaceutical production, filling and packaging machinery, pumps, valves, pipework and other hygienic process equipment.
For manufacturers operating HACCP-based food safety systems, detectable sealing components can form part of a wider foreign-body control strategy, particularly where metal detection or X-ray inspection is already installed downstream.
| Application Area | Typical Sealing Locations |
|---|---|
| Food & Beverage Processing | Process lines, pumps, valves and hygienic equipment |
| Dairy Processing | Pipework, fittings, vessels and transfer systems |
| Pharmaceutical Processing | Hygienic process equipment and product-contact sealing points |
| Filling & Packaging | Filling equipment, transfer systems and production machinery |
| Hygienic Pipework | Tri-Clamp, RJT, DIN 11851, SMS and other sanitary connections |
| General Process Equipment | O-rings, gaskets and custom sealing components where contamination control is required |
Specifying detectable seals on contact points is a straightforward way to close a known contamination gap and support audit requirements.
Download the Metal & X-Ray Detectable Seals Application Guide (PDF)
Performance Validation
Compression Set Performance
Measured by Compression Set Comparison of Sealing Performance & Compression Set
Metal Detectibility Comparison
Ferrous Equivalent (Mild Sphere)
Why Engineers Choose International Seal
- Superior sealing performance
- Excellent metal detectability
- FDA CFR 21 Section 177.2600 compliant
- Engineered for food, beverage & pharmaceutical processing
Detectable Compounds Available
Detectability does not remove the need to specify the correct sealing material. Chemical compatibility, operating temperature, pressure, cleaning regime and food-contact requirements must still be considered when selecting the compound. International Seal can supply detectable sealing materials including NBR, EPDM, FKM, Silicone and other specialist elastomers, depending on the application and seal type.
Detectable options can be produced across a wide range of sealing products, including O-rings and hygienic gaskets such as RJT, DIN 11851, SMS and Tri-Clamp seals. Where appropriate, the same seal can also be supplied in a conventional non-detectable compound, allowing detectable components to be introduced specifically at higher-risk product-contact locations without changing the complete sealing system.
European Food-Contact Compliance
For food and beverage processing applications across Europe, material compliance is a critical part of seal selection. International Seal offers metal and X-ray detectable sealing solutions designed for hygienic processing environments, with material options available to meet applicable food-contact requirements, including EC 1935/2004 where specified.
Our team can help identify the appropriate detectable compound, seal profile and material for your operating conditions, supporting contamination control, product safety and regulatory requirements throughout food and pharmaceutical processing applications.
| Material | Hardness | Available Colours | Compound Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | 70 Shore A | Black, Red, Blue, White, Yellow, Green, Purple | CD100–CD106 |
| FKM | 75 Shore A | Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple | CD200–CD204 |
| EPDM | 75 Shore A | Black, Blue | CD300–CD301 |
| Silicone | 75 Shore A | Red, Blue | CD400–CD401 |
Material selection for detectable seals follows the same compatibility and temperature rules as standard compounds, covered in our Chemical Compatibility Guide and Temperature Range Guide.
Download the Detectable Materials & Compounds Technical Guide (PDF)
Specify the Right Detectable Seal
International Seal can help specify a detectable seal based on the seal profile, dimensions, operating temperature, process media and inspection technology being used. Standard production quantities and prototype requirements can be supported, with material documentation and food-contact compliance information available for applicable grades.
Tell us the seal type, dimensions, material requirements and whether your production line uses metal detection, X-ray inspection or both, and our team can recommend the appropriate solution.