Metal-Detectable Silicone Sheet
VMQ silicone sheet with metallic ferrite particles incorporated throughout the bulk of the material. If a fragment of gasket, seal or part comes loose during production, the in-line metal detection equipment identifies it automatically — even particles smaller than 1 mm. Manufactured with FDA-approved ingredients, post-cured for maximum safety.
On food and pharmaceutical production lines, silicone gaskets, seals and linings are wear components that degrade over time. When a gasket fragment comes loose and falls into the product, the result can be a complete batch recall, a food safety incident or a regulatory sanction. Standard silicones — even FDA-certified ones — are invisible to the metal detectors that protect production lines. If the fragment goes undetected, it reaches the consumer.
Metal-detectable silicone solves this problem by incorporating metallic ferrite particles distributed homogeneously throughout the bulk of the material. The ferrite is on the FDA whitelist and is inert: it does not affect food-contact compliance or the properties of the silicone. But it generates a magnetic signal that industrial metal detection equipment (on conveyor belt, in pipeline, in free-fall) identifies immediately — even fragments smaller than 1 mm. The result is that any contamination by gasket material is detected before the product leaves the plant.
Available as solid sheet (for flat gaskets, washers and static seals) and as closed-cell sponge sheet (for door gaskets, compression seals and applications requiring compressibility). Blue colour — the international food-industry standard for rapid visual identification of foreign bodies. High-temperature adhesive backing option for direct mounting without mechanical fixation.
Metal-detectable or standard food-grade silicone?
If your plant already has in-line metal detectors (and most regulated food and pharmaceutical plants do), installing metal-detectable silicone on all gaskets and seals turns those detectors into a surveillance system for the integrity of your own process components — at no additional inspection cost. Standard food-grade silicone (FDA, EC 1935/2004) is safe in contact with food, but invisible if it fragments. Metal-detectable silicone adds that layer of safety without sacrificing any mechanical or thermal property.
Which format do you need?
Locate your application and the recommended format.
| Requisito | Formulación | Serie | Proceso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flange gasket on process equipment | Solid 60 ShA | 2–6 mm | Die-cut to drawing |
| Washer for pipe connection | Solid 60 ShA | 1–3 mm | Die-cut to drawing |
| Door gasket on oven/chamber | Sponge | 3–12 mm | Custom cut + adhesive |
| Lid seal on tank/reactor | Solid 60 ShA | 2–4 mm | Die-cut to drawing |
| Inspection gasket on packaging line | Solid 60 ShA | 1–2 mm | Die-cut to drawing |
| Panel seal on packaging equipment | Sponge | 2–6 mm | Custom cut + adhesive |
| Food autoclave gasket | Solid 60 ShA | Extruded cord | Vulcanised ring joint |
| O-ring for process valve | Solid 60 ShA | Moulding | Compression moulding |
| Surface lining (table, tray) | Solid 60 ShA | 1–3 mm | Custom cut + adhesive |
| Replacement of standard gaskets with detectable | As per original part | As per part | As per geometry |
Metal-detectable silicone: solid, sponge and die-cut parts
Solid metal-detectable sheet
Solid VMQ silicone sheet with ferrite particles, 60 Shore A, post-cured and FDA certified. The base material for manufacturing flat gaskets, washers, seals and custom die-cut parts that need to be detectable. Mechanical properties are comparable to those of a standard food-grade silicone of the same hardness: the ferrite does not significantly degrade tensile strength, elongation or tear resistance.
Sponge metal-detectable sheet
Closed-cell silicone with ferrite particles, low density, compressible. Ideal for seals requiring low closure force: chamber doors, equipment lids, interfaces between panels. The cellular structure provides additional thermal insulation and absorption of surface irregularities. Detectable even in small fragments thanks to the homogeneous distribution of the ferrite.
Die-cut parts and custom gaskets
From the solid or sponge sheet, we manufacture gaskets, washers and seals die-cut to customer drawing. Any geometry that can be defined on a 2D drawing: circular, rectangular, with holes, with irregular shapes. Also available with high-temperature adhesive backing for screwless mounting.
Extruded profiles and moulded metal-detectable parts
For applications that cannot be solved with flat sheet — cords, complex-section profiles, O-rings and moulded parts — we also supply metal-detectable silicone in extruded and moulded form. Cords for vulcanised ring joints, sealing profiles, special-diameter O-rings and compression-moulded parts to drawing.
Available thicknesses and formats
Metal-detectable sheet is supplied in rolls or as custom-cut/die-cut parts. Standard blue colour (rapid visual identification). Other colours available to order for production lines with colour-coded zoning.
Thin gauges — solid (0.5 to 1.5 mm)
0.5 · 0.8 · 1.0 · 1.5 mmThin sheets for flange gaskets, washers and lid seals where available thickness is limited. At these gauges the sheet is flexible and conforms to curved surfaces. Tolerance ±0.2 mm.
- Thicknesses
- 0.5 · 0.8 · 1.0 · 1.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.2 mm
- Colour
- Blue (standard)
Availability: Solid 60 Shore A. With or without adhesive.
Medium gauges — solid (2 to 6 mm)
2 · 3 · 4 · 6 mmThe most versatile range for process equipment gaskets. The 3 mm thickness is the standard for flange gaskets in food processing machinery. Die-cuttable with standard tooling.
- Thicknesses
- 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3 mm
- Colour
- Blue (standard)
Availability: Solid 60 Shore A. With or without adhesive.
Thick gauges — solid (8 to 12 mm)
8 · 10 · 12 mmHeavy-gauge sheets for applications requiring absorption of irregularities, cushioning or heavy-section seals. Available to order.
- Thicknesses
- 8 · 10 · 12 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.5 mm
- Colour
- Blue (standard)
Availability: Solid 60 Shore A. Made to order.
Metal-detectable sponge (1.5 to 12 mm)
1.5 to 12 mmClosed-cell cellular silicone with ferrite particles. Medium density, compressible, ideal for low-closure-force seals. The sponge structure absorbs surface irregularities and provides additional thermal insulation.
- Thicknesses
- 1.5 to 12 mm
- Type
- Closed cells, medium density
- Colour
- Blue or light grey
Availability: Sponge. Made to order.
All thicknesses in standard blue colour (rapid visual identification per food-industry best practice). Other colours available to order for lines with colour-coded zoning. High-temperature adhesive backing option on thicknesses ≥ 1 mm.
Technical properties of metal-detectable silicone
Metal-Detectable VMQ — food-grade ferrite
VMQ silicone with metallic ferrite particles distributed homogeneously throughout the bulk of the material. The ferrite generates a magnetic signal detectable by industrial metal inspection equipment on conveyor belt, in pipeline or in free-fall. Fragments smaller than 1 mm are identifiable. Mechanical and thermal properties are comparable to those of a standard 60 Shore A food-grade silicone.
Food processing plants, packaging lines, pharmaceutical industry, beverage production, dairy, any environment with in-line metal detectors.
| Property | Value | Test standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 60 ±5 Shore A | ISO 7619-1 |
| Tensile strength (MPa min) | ≥ 8 | ISO 37 |
| Elongation at break (% min) | ≥ 400 | ISO 37 |
| Tear strength (kN/m min) | ≥ 15 | ISO 34-1 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.15–1.25 | ISO 2781 |
| Temperature range (°C) | –45 to +200 | — |
| Minimum detection | < 1 mm | Standard industrial equipment |
| Colour | Blue (food-industry RAL standard) | — |
FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — repeated food contact. EC 1935/2004. Ferrite on the FDA whitelist. Post-cured material for maximum stability. The sponge version has lower mechanical properties (inherent to the cellular structure) but maintains the same detection capability.
VMQ silicone with metallic ferrite particles distributed homogeneously throughout the bulk of the material. The ferrite generates a magnetic signal detectable by industrial metal inspection equipment on conveyor belt, in pipeline or in free-fall. Fragments smaller than 1 mm are identifiable. Mechanical and thermal properties are comparable to those of a standard 60 Shore A food-grade silicone.
Food processing plants, packaging lines, pharmaceutical industry, beverage production, dairy, any environment with in-line metal detectors.
| Property | Value | Test standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 60 ±5 Shore A | ISO 7619-1 |
| Tensile strength (MPa min) | ≥ 8 | ISO 37 |
| Elongation at break (% min) | ≥ 400 | ISO 37 |
| Tear strength (kN/m min) | ≥ 15 | ISO 34-1 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.15–1.25 | ISO 2781 |
| Temperature range (°C) | –45 to +200 | — |
| Minimum detection | < 1 mm | Standard industrial equipment |
| Colour | Blue (food-industry RAL standard) | — |
FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — repeated food contact. EC 1935/2004. Ferrite on the FDA whitelist. Post-cured material for maximum stability. The sponge version has lower mechanical properties (inherent to the cellular structure) but maintains the same detection capability.
From the sheet to your detectable part
We supply sheet in roll form for self-cutting or manufacture finished parts to drawing. For geometries that cannot be solved with flat sheet, we supply metal-detectable silicone in extruded and moulded form.
Application sectors
Food & Beverage
Detectable gaskets and seals for food processing, packaging and storage lines.
Pharmaceutical
Detectable components for pharmaceutical production equipment with GMP requirements.
Laboratory
Detectable seals in laboratory equipment with contaminant traceability protocols.
General Industry
Detectable seals and parts in primary and secondary packaging machinery.
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Want to replace your standard gaskets with metal-detectable ones?
Send us the list of gaskets, seals and parts you want to replace — with dimensions, thicknesses and geometry (drawing if possible). We provide a quotation with the appropriate format (sheet, die-cut, extruded or moulded) and the FDA certification for your food safety file.
Request quotation