EALING THE DEAL: QUALIFYING SEALING MATERIALS FOR POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS

There are numerous potential sources of contamination in potable water systems, not least of which is contact with the components comprising these systems. On its journey from the source to the tap, water typically passes through miles of pipe and various mechanical devices such as pumps, meters, and valves, all of which require seals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes potable water quality standards in its National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR 141). To ensure water is fit for human consumption, use of materials that may leach hazardous substances into these systems must be avoided. To meet this objective requires a wide range of sealing materials.

Because of their resilient properties, elastomers account for a large portion of these materials. Compounds of natural (NR), styrene butadiene (SBR), and acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR) rubbers and Chloroprene (Neoprene [CR]) have been used for decades for pipe seals, gate valves, flange gaskets and O-rings.

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