Product Overview

The Laux Valve wafer butterfly valve with silicone seat is designed specifically for high-temperature food processing, pharmaceutical, and sanitary applications where standard EPDM or NBR seats cannot withstand the operating temperature or do not meet FDA compliance requirements. The silicone (VMQ) seat provides reliable bubble-tight sealing across a wide temperature range of -40°C to +180°C, making it the preferred choice for baking ovens, frying lines, CIP/SIP systems, and hot water service.

Silicone rubber offers excellent high-temperature stability, low compression set, and resistance to steam, ozone, and UV exposure. Combined with a wafer-style ductile iron body and fusion-bonded epoxy coating, this valve delivers reliable service in demanding thermal processing environments.

Key Features

• Silicone (VMQ) Seat – Premium silicone rubber formulation provides exceptional high-temperature performance (-40°C to +180°C) with low compression set and excellent elastic recovery. Sustains repeated steam and hot water cycling without permanent deformation.
• FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 Compliant – The silicone seat material complies with FDA regulations for repeated food contact, making it suitable for direct contact with food products, cooking oils, and beverage ingredients.
• High Temperature Capability – Continuous service up to 180°C (356°F) – significantly higher than EPDM (90°C), NBR (70°C), or Viton (150°C). Suitable for CIP cleaning cycles with brief exposure up to 200°C.
• Wafer Style Compact Body – Short face-to-face per EN 558 Series 20 for sandwich installation between ASME B16.5 Class 150 or EN 1092-2 PN10/PN16 pipe flanges.
• Bi-Directional Bubble-Tight Shut-Off – Vulcanized silicone seat provides zero leakage in both flow directions at full rated pressure.
• Integral Flange Sealing – Silicone seat extends to both body faces, eliminating the need for separate flange gaskets.
• ISO 5211 Mounting Pad – Standard mounting interface for lever, gear, pneumatic, or electric actuator.
• 100% Factory Tested – Shell test at 1.5x rated pressure and seat leakage test per API 598.

Technical Specifications

• Size Range: 2" to 24" (DN50 to DN600)
• Valve Type: Concentric Wafer Butterfly Valve, Vulcanized Silicone Seat
• Body Material: Ductile Iron ASTM A536 65-45-12
• Disc Material: Ductile Iron (Standard); Nylon 11 Coated DI; 316 SS (CF8M)
• Stem Material: Stainless Steel 316 SS (Standard); 17-4 PH (Optional)
• Seat Material: Silicone (VMQ) – FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 compliant
• Body Coating: Fusion Bonded Epoxy, min 250 microns, Blue RAL 5017
• Face-to-Face: EN 558 Series 20 / API 609 Short Pattern
• Flange Drilling: ASME B16.5 Class 150; EN 1092-2 PN10/PN16
• Pressure Rating: 200 psi (13.8 bar) at 23°C; derated at elevated temperature
• Temperature Range: -40°C to +180°C (-40°F to +356°F)
• Design Standard: API 609 Category A, EN 593
• Certification: ISO 9001:2015, CE/PED, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600

Silicone Seat vs Common Seat Materials

Silicone (VMQ) occupies a unique position in elastomer seat materials. While it cannot match EPDM for water resistance or NBR for oil resistance, its exceptional high-temperature stability and FDA compliance make it the material of choice for thermal processing and food contact applications.

• vs EPDM (-30 to +90°C): Silicone handles double the temperature range. EPDM is better for water immersion and has higher tensile strength. Choose silicone when operating temperature exceeds 90°C or for food contact.
• vs NBR/Buna-N (-20 to +70°C): Silicone offers much wider temperature range. NBR is superior for oil and fuel resistance. Choose silicone for oil-free high-temperature processes.
• vs Viton/FKM (-10 to +150°C): Silicone extends 30°C higher than Viton. Viton offers better chemical resistance in aggressive media. Choose silicone for food contact and HVAC hot water where chemical resistance is not critical.
• vs PTFE (-20 to +200°C): PTFE handles slightly higher temperature. Silicone provides better elastic sealing (lower leakage rate at low pressure) and does not suffer from PTFE cold flow.

Applications

Food & Beverage Processing

The silicone seat's FDA compliance and high-temperature capability make it ideal for frying oil lines, baking oven steam injection, hot water cooking vessels, CIP return lines (up to 95°C cleaning solution), and hot fill beverage processing where product is filled at 80-95°C.

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology

Silicone's inertness and lack of extractables suit WFI (water for injection) loops, clean steam systems, autoclave feed lines, and buffer preparation vessels at elevated temperatures.

HVAC High-Temperature Hot Water

District heating systems, boiler isolation valves, and high-temperature hot water (120-160°C) circuits where EPDM would exceed its temperature limit.

Industrial Process

Heat transfer oil systems (with compatible disc material), hot air ducts, oven isolation, and drying process lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum temperature for a silicone seat butterfly valve?

Continuous service: 180°C (356°F). Brief exposure (CIP cleaning cycles): up to 200°C (392°F) for short durations. Pressure must be derated above 100°C per the manufacturer's pressure-temperature chart.

Can a silicone seat butterfly valve handle steam?

Yes, silicone is one of the best elastomers for steam service. It can handle saturated steam up to 150°C  and dry heat up to 180°C. However, for continuous steam service above 150°C, a metal-seated or PTFE-seated valve is recommended.

What disc material should I choose for high-temperature service?

For high-temperature applications above 100°C, we recommend 316 stainless steel disc to avoid epoxy coating degradation on the disc. Nylon 11 coated disc is suitable up to 90°C. Standard epoxy-coated ductile iron disc is limited to 80°C.

Is this valve suitable for CIP systems?

Yes. Silicone seat butterfly valves are well-suited for CIP systems. The valve can withstand CIP caustic and acid wash cycles at 70-95°C. The integral silicone flange sealing eliminates gaskets that could trap bacteria. The smooth internal surfaces (with 316 SS disc) support effective cleaning.

What is the minimum temperature for silicone?

Silicone remains flexible down to -40°C (-40°F), making it suitable for cold storage, freezer, and cryogenic pre-cooling applications. This is significantly better than EPDM (-30°C) or NBR (-20°C).

Ordering Information

When ordering, please specify: valve size, pressure class, disc material

Email: james@lauxvalve.com | Tel: +86 18920833829 | Website: lauxvalve.com

Butterfly Valve Manufacturing Process
From Technical Confirmation to Final Delivery



Standardized Quality Control Process

From raw material inspection to final delivery, every butterfly valve undergoes a comprehensive quality inspection to ensure reliable performance and compliance with international standards.

International Certifications

Manufactured to international quality standards and certified for global industrial and potable water applications.