EFFECT OF OZONATED WATER SANITIZATION ON GASKET MATERIALS USED IN FLUID FOOD-PROCESSING

Standard-molded, one piece O-ring food processing plant gaskets (1.5 i n or 36.1 mm diameter) made of seven different substances (Buna N, whi te Buna N, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), polyethylene, sili cone rubber, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon) and steam-resist ant Viton) were treated with chlorine sanitizer or ozonated water. Aft er treatment, only very slight differences were noted visually between control and treated gaskets. Measurements indicated that ozone treatm ent affected the tensile strength of EPDM and Viton, but not significa ntly more than chlorine treatment. The tensile strengths of other gask et materials were not significantly affected by ozone treatment. The e lasticity of ozone-treated PTFE gaskets was significantly different fr om chlorine-treated PTFE gaskets. Other gasket materials were not sign ificantly affected by ozone treatment.