Seeflex 040E

Yes it is. Seeflex 040E conforms to Regulations (EC) 10/2011, 1935/2004 and 2023/2006 for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Seeflex 040E can be used outdoors. It has been proven for use in both the sun and the water. Extended exposure to UV will cause the Seeflex 040E to turn a little yellow, but the media will not lose any strength or integrity.

Yes, the silicone is post-cured which makes it food grade.

Seeflex 040E can be used with 5 PSI on a a standard connector length (up to 200mm Long). Above this we recommend using a SS Ring support ring or the Seeflex 040E with a Camlon outer layer. Please contact a BFM represetative for more information.

There a number of reasons the Seeflex 040E could go yellow. It could be due to use with chemicals, oils, fats or exposure to UV light. In most of these situations this is purely staining of the media, and there is no loss of strength or integrity. Please contact one of our representatives if you have any concerns. If you are using with a CIP (clean in place) solution you simply need to ensure that you thoroughly wash all the chemicals off the BFM spigot and connector before you start up again. If there is any caustic or acid left sitting on the cuff area, it will go yellow over time.

If the contact with the ethanol is permanent the Seeflex 040E is not suitable. If it is sporadic and low temperature then you should have no problem. You may need to run a few tests on the media to check the suitability, as it will depend on time and temperature of contact with the solvent and the application. Please contact one of our representatives to discuss this further.

Seeflex 040E is very strong and has been used with sugar, crystallized lactose, aggregates etc. Installing with an internal flow correction system is an additional way to further improve the system and avoid undue abrasion.

Yes, although the fat may stain Seeflex 040E, and cause it to go a little yellow, the strength of the media will not be affected greatly.

Yes – both CIP and manual washing is possible. Refer to the washing guidelines for Seeflex and Woven connectors.

Yes, although the BFM^® fitting is designed to provide a 100% seal on powder applications, we do not make this statement with liquid. The Seeflex 040E works very well and is used in a number of applications, although there may also be the occasional very small leak (drips). The composition of the liquid would also need to be checked to ensure compatibility with Seeflex.

Between 3 and 9 pH is generally acceptable, and outside this it is largely dependent on concentration, application and duration of contact. It’s important to remember that the pH scale alone doesn’t specifically help determining resistance of the materials – the pH scale will provide an indication of the strength, but product type, concentrations and temperatures are far more important. Our woven Teflex is an excellent alternative for use with acids or alkalis. This is a pure PTFE media which can be used on most products and up to very high temperatures. It is best to double check with us if there are any concerns regarding media compatibility.

The resistance of the connector materials to chemicals is very dependent on the strength (concentration) of the chemical, the process and how the system is maintained (cleaned). The LM4 is a 100% Polyester woven fabric so its capability with either chemical is limited. Seeflex 040E is also limited with these chemicals – it is important to know the concentrations and the application. Teflex is the optimum material for use with chemicals as it is resistant to acids.

It depends on the type of oil. Some oils are very aggressive and would degrade the polyurethane and the tight seal of the spigot connections can also be adversely affected by oils.

Yes, Seeflex 040E is used by many companies around the world who regularly use nitrogen to purge lines with no problem.  

It should be noted, however, that we have not undertaken gas leak testing to a specified industry leak rate standard. We have completed air leak testing (a 600mm connector held a low vacuum pressure for more than 10 minutes). 

The BFM^® is not certified or recommended for gas sealing in safety of life or mission critical applications.

Yes, sodium sulphate has a pH of 7 and will be suitable for Seeflex 040E.

A Seeflex 040E with rings will be more resilient to the vacuum than the Flexi. You could also use TR for extra resistance. Try and keep the connector as short as possible, and small gaps between rings.

Although we have tested the TR version of the BFM^® Seeflex fittings under vacuum to over 0.8 bar vacuum, we would not recommend a Seeflex connector for that much pressure (refer to the ‘BFM^® Limitations: Negative Pressure’ document). However, depending on the length of the connector and the type of vacuum (i.e. will it be gradual increases, is it continuous, is it sudden and/or occasional) it may be possible with the insertion of rings in the connector. The length is the most critical element as greater lengths will cause the walls to suck in further, potentially placing them in the product flow increasing likely abrasion. If having a non-transparent connector is an option, the LM4 connector is a good option. Because it is a woven fabric, the LM4 will suck in outside air which is filtered through the material.

For vacuum, the best way to keep the connector ‘open’ is to use SS Rings (This is generally only possible with connectors over 100mm long). Refer to the ‘BFM^® Limitations: Negative Pressure’ document for more information. Another option is to use fabric connectors, such as the LM3 or LM4 which ‘breathe’ and filter air into the system. Refer to the ‘BFM^® Limitations: Negative Pressure’ document for more information.

No – the maximum operating temperature is 85ºC (185ºF). The material used to make the Flexi connector is lighter and uses a different manufacture process to the 040E/020E. The metal rings also add temperature.

Yes it is. Seeflex 040E complies with the following regulations: FDA CFR 177.1680 and 177.2600, USDA and 3A (20-).

There are Seeflex 040E fittings running through a number of metal detectors around the world with no problem. Metal detectors have an arc in which there can be no metal, you just need to ensure the spigots are welded outside of this arc (ie. welded to the pipe both above and below the metal detector). The BFM^® connector then runs right through the metal detector. In the very unlikely event Seelfex 040E were to have any problems with false results, then the Seelfex 040AS could be used without issue. The metal detector specs will often tell you what ohm resistance the material needs to be within, you could check these.

Yes – Seeflex 040E is one of the strongest flexible connector materials available with abrasion and tear resistance in both directions. This extra strength in comparison to other materials means it does not need to be as thick, whilst offering greater flexibility.

This will depend somewhat on what is in the laundry soap. In general the Seeflex 040E will work well. There is often Sodium Carbonate or Sodium salt which may start to break down the Seelfex over an extended period. Unilever in New Zealand run the BFM^® fitting on soap product without issue.

We have BFM^® fitting running with coffee in a number of plants around the world. There is no difference in terms of connector life than any other general application, it will depend on the conditions. There have been no problems with oils from coffee affecting the media.

For these diameters, the minimum connector length is 150mm long. Refer to ‘BFM^® Guidelines: Tapered Connectors’ information sheet for guidance.

Seeflex 040E, Seeflex 040AS, LM4, LM3 and TEFLEX can all be supplied with rings. Seeflex 020E may be supplied on request, but Camlon connectors, Kevlar covers and Blackout Covers, cannot be supplied with rings.

No – BFM® Global Ltd certifies that in the manufacturing of our products we do not intentionally use any of the below mentioned substances and it is not foreseen that they could be produced: Bisphenol-A (BPA) Bis (2-ethylhexy) phthalate (DEPH) Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP). Refer to our Seeflex Safety Declaration for more information.

Seeflex 040E has been confirmed by IBExU as Atex compliant for all Dust Zones  Please refer to the ‘BFM^® Declaration of Compliance - ATEX’ document for more information. A copy of the testing reports are available on request.

Seeflex 040E is a synthetic organic material that does contain substances derived from tallow sources. Our suppliers have assured us that processing conditions used in the production of this tallow derivative product are in compliance with the minimum conditions described below for the processing of rendered fats listed in Annex XIII, Chapter XI of the EU Regulation 142/2011/EC, and the Notes for Guidance EMA/410/01 Rev 3. Additionally, this tallow derivative product is compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations regarding the use of prohibited cattle materials in food (21 CFR § 189.5) and cosmetics (21CFR § 700.27), as prohibited cattle materials do not include tallow derivatives.

No, to the best of our knowledge, BFM^®'s material suppliers do not use or intentionally incorporate any of the following agents into the Seeflex 040E, 040As or 020E that we use for production of our connectors:

• Bisphenol-A (BPA)
• Bis (2-ethylhexy) phthalate (DEPH)
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
• Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP) or any other Phthalates
• Cyanuric Acid
• Latex
• Melamine
• Nonylphenols
• Oleamide
• Silicone

Please refer to the Seeflex Materials Safety Declaration.

For standard Seeflex 040E connectors from 700mm (27.5 inches) to 1,000mm (39.5 inches) in diameter, a maximum length of 500mm (20 inches) applies. For connectors from 1,050mm (41 inches) up to the maximum of 1,650mm (65 inches) in diameter, a maximum length of 200mm (8 inches) applies. Under certain circumstances (and depending on the application) there may be a possibility for a slightly longer length, however, this would need to be discussed with BFM^®.  Refer to our Quick Ref. Limitations Summary here for more information.