NSF 51 Materials
NSF 51 materials are certified for use in food equipment applications, ensuring they are safe for contact with food and beverages. These materials meet stringent health and safety standards, making them ideal for use in food processing, foodservice equipment, and other applications where hygiene and food safety are critical. This guide covers the features, common applications, and the pros and cons of NSF 51 materials.
NSF 51 silicone, EPDM, CanRez® FFKM and Kalrez® O-rings, gasket rapid manufacturing, & custom molded parts are available now!
Check with one of Canyon’s helpful product engineers for an expert material and manufacturing recommendation.
Features of NSF 51 Materials
NSF 51 materials are designed to meet strict safety and performance standards, offering several key features:
- Food-Safe and Non-Toxic: NSF 51 materials are tested to ensure they do not leach harmful substances or contaminants into food or beverages, making them safe for direct and indirect food contact.
- Chemical Resistance: These materials are resistant to chemicals commonly found in food processing environments, such as cleaning agents, oils, and acids.
- Temperature Tolerance: NSF 51 materials can withstand high temperatures typically encountered in food processing and foodservice equipment, including steam cleaning and cooking processes.
- Durability: Designed for long-term use in demanding environments, NSF 51 materials are resistant to wear, abrasion, and frequent cleaning, ensuring extended service life.
- Hygienic Properties: NSF 51 materials are non-porous, preventing the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, making them ideal for maintaining sanitation in food handling and preparation areas.
Common Applications of NSF 51 Materials
NSF 51 materials are widely used in the food and beverage industry, particularly in applications that require direct contact with food:
- Food Processing Equipment: NSF 51 materials are used for seals, gaskets, and tubing in food processing machinery, ensuring that components remain food-safe and resistant to cleaning agents and high temperatures.
- Foodservice Equipment: These materials are commonly found in foodservice equipment, such as ovens, mixers, refrigerators, and dishwashers, where they ensure the equipment meets food safety standards.
- Dispensing Equipment: NSF 51 materials are used in beverage dispensers, ice machines, and water fountains, providing a safe, non-toxic solution for food and beverage dispensing.
- Packaging Equipment: In food packaging machinery, NSF 51 materials are used to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination during the packaging process.
- Food Contact Surfaces: Countertops, cutting boards, and conveyor belts that come into direct contact with food are often made from NSF 51-certified materials to ensure sanitation and food safety.
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
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NSF 51 Elastomers
NSF 51 Materials
Discover NSF 51 materials, designed for use in food processing, medical devices, and pharmaceutical applications. Learn about their safety features, regulatory compliance, and how they meet stringent industry standards.
Specialty Compliances
Canyon have materials available for O-rings, gaskets, & custom parts with compliances ranging from USP Class VI <87> & <88> for medical applications, to FDA CFR 21.177.2600 grades A through F for different food types, to the various drinking water specifications like KTW and NSF. Whether it's metal, rubber, or plastic, Canyon can meet your needs!
Custom Parts
Here at Canyon Components, we make sure to offer our customers any manufacturing technique they desire. Whether your NSF 51 O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts be rubber, plastic, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it!
CanRez™ FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Extreme temperatures & chemicals require extreme solutions! NSF 51 CanRez™ FFKM materials offer extreme reliability where you need it most! Thousands of sizes in stock now!
Kalrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Canyon Components offers NSF 51 Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
NSF 51 Parker® O-rings, Parofluor parts, parker FKM Viton
Canyon Components offers NSF 51 Parker Hannifin® O-rings, Gaskets, NSF 51 Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) parts, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
FKM (Viton®, Fluorocarbon)
NSF 51 FKM compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts exhibit excellent mechanical attributes as well as excellent resistance to high temperatures, mineral oil, ozone, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and many other solvents and chemicals.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
The mechanical and physical properties of NSF 51 Fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very similar to silicone. Fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer improved flexibility and strength, better resistance to fuels and mineral oil, but reduced hot air resistance.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
NSF 51 Silicone seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are excellent for extreme temperatures in static applications. Canyon Components carries a range of silicone materials, and we are happy to custom tailor a seal to meet your application requirements!
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
NSF 51 EPDM materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts can operate over a wide temperature range, and are compatible with glycol fluids that cause problems for most typical elastomeric seals.
NBR (Nitrile, Buna-N)
NSF 51 Nitrile O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very oil-resistant, have strong mechanical properties, are resistant to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. These properties make Nitrile the most commonly used general purpose O-ring, gasket, & custom molded part material.
PTFE Encapsulated
NSF 51 FEP and PFA encapsulated O-rings consist of an elastomeric core and a seamlessly closed casing of modified PTFE. The elastomer core of encapsulated O-rings is typically made of FKM (Viton) or VMQ (silicone) and guarantees a uniform pre-tensioning at the sealing point.
PTFE (Teflon)
The harshest environments require specialized solutions. Often times, a Canyon Components NSF 51 PTFE O-rings are used in harsh chemical environments. Polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as PTFE or Teflon®, is a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its exceptional chemical resistance, low friction, and non-stick properties.
NSF 51 Plastics
NSF 51 Materials Pros & Cons
NSF 51 materials play a crucial role in maintaining food safety and sanitation in food processing and foodservice applications. With features such as non-toxicity, chemical resistance, and durability, these materials ensure that food contact surfaces, seals, gaskets, and other components meet the highest safety standards. While the cost of NSF 51 materials may be higher than non-certified options, their compliance with food safety regulations, long-lasting performance, and hygienic properties make them indispensable in environments where food safety is paramount. Understanding the features, applications, and pros and cons of NSF 51 materials will help you make informed decisions to ensure the safety and reliability of your food equipment and systems.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Pros of NSF 51 Materials
NSF 51 materials offer several advantages that make them a preferred choice in food handling and processing applications:
- Compliance with Food Safety Standards: NSF 51 materials meet the highest standards for food safety, ensuring they are safe for use in environments where food comes into direct contact with equipment and components.
- Long-Term Durability: These materials are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use in food processing and foodservice environments, offering long-lasting performance even with frequent cleaning and exposure to chemicals.
- Hygiene and Cleanliness: NSF 51 materials are non-porous and easy to clean, preventing the growth of bacteria and microorganisms and maintaining sanitation in food processing and handling.
- Versatility: Available in various forms, including rubber, plastic, and elastomers, NSF 51 materials can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different food processing and foodservice applications.
- Chemical and Temperature Resistance: These materials are resistant to high temperatures and chemical exposure, ensuring they can withstand the cleaning and sanitizing processes commonly used in food environments.
Cons of NSF 51 Materials
While NSF 51 materials offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Higher Cost: NSF 51 materials can be more expensive than non-certified alternatives due to the extensive testing and certification required to meet food safety standards.
- Limited Application Outside Food Industry: While NSF 51 materials are ideal for food-related applications, they may not always be the best choice for non-food-related industries, where specific material properties may be more critical than food safety.
- Material Limitations: Not all rubber, plastic, or elastomer materials can meet NSF 51 standards, limiting the range of materials available for certain applications.
Relevant Compliances
USP Class VI Materials: Certified for Medical and Pharmaceutical Applications
Explore USP Class VI materials, certified for use in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Learn about their features, compliance standards, and how they ensure safety and purity in critical environments.
FDA Compliant Materials: Safe and Reliable Solutions for Food and Medical Applications
Discover FDA compliant materials, designed for use in food processing, medical devices, and pharmaceutical applications. Learn about their safety features, regulatory compliance, and how they meet stringent industry standards.
Materials for Food and Dairy
Explore FDA Compliant and 3A Materials: specially designed for food and dairy industry, ensuring hygiene, safety, and compliance with strict standards.
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