Magnetic seals made of TPE
Magnetic seals made of TPE are made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based on an SEBS/PP blend. Installing fridge seals made of TPE material leads to lower total cost of ownership (TCO). This is because a TPE seal closes off the cooling compartment better and because the service life is up to four times longer compared to a standard PVC seal.
TPE is currently the best available solution for (magnetically) sealing doors and drawers in refrigeration equipment, freezers, shock freezers, climate chambers and proofing cabinets.
Benefits of TPE in commercial refrigeration
Benefits when using (thin walled) TPE profiles in commercial refrigeration:
- • less sensitive to sudden temperature fluctuations;
- • improved sealing performance;
- • retention of elasticity; (more resistant to the effects of fats)
- • longer service life;
- • more environmentally friendly.
Shift from soft PVC to TPE
Soft PVC is currently the most commonly used material for sealing professional refrigeration equipment. Due to the demonstrable benefits, there is a shift towards TPE.
Favourable effects of TPE sealing profiles
- Resistant to low temperatures down to −40 °C and large temperature differences without adversely affecting Shore hardness; this improves sealing properties and can lead to lower energy consumption.
- Migration to ABS or HIPS: no/very low migration of plasticisers or fats
- UV and ageing resistance: long term use without hardening, ageing, drying out or colour and appearance deviations.
- Mechanical durability: up to 350,000 cycles in a refrigerator door life test; four times longer than a standard PVC seal.
- Rubber like performance: very good elasticity, less compression and fast recovery after deformation, resulting in better door sealing and lower energy consumption.
Click here for the comparison and the main differences between the available materials.
