At Michel Tube, pipe connectors is the name given to all clamp connections with a sealing gasket used in the vacuum area, that is in suction (pneumatic) conveying. This is the most common type of connection in the plastics industry.
Black gaskets are used as standard. For high temperature ranges we recommend the use of silicone gaskets — these gaskets can withstand maximum temperatures up to +220°C. In the food sector, we recommend the use of FDA-compliant, light colored gaskets with the corresponding approval.
Available gasket options: Silicone Red, Silicone Transparent, White. Available in 16 different diameters (Ø 38.0 – Ø 114.3 mm).
Two different requirements, one solution
This connector meets two separate needs. On the food side the gasket material has to be food-grade and withstand cleaning chemicals. On the high temperature side it is expected to do its job at temperatures where a standard gasket hardens and starts to leak.
How temperature spoils the gasket
When standard gasket material is continuously exposed to heat it loses its elasticity. A hardened gasket no longer seats fully on the tube surface and false air starts to enter. This is usually a gradual deterioration; the line does not stop suddenly one day, the conveying capacity falls quietly over weeks.
Where it is mandatory
- Hot material lines running from the dryer outlet to the machine
- Tube routes passing through a hot environment
- Raw material lines in plants producing food packaging
- Lines washed regularly with cleaning chemicals
When choosing
What is decisive is the actual operating temperature of the line, not the ambient temperature. The granulate leaving the dryer stays hot for longer than expected. If measurement is not possible, the dryer outlet temperature should be taken as the basis. For standard applications the standard connector is sufficient.
