Dry bulk rail wagons provide an efficient method of transporting large quantities of powdered food products, including sugar and flour. Maintaining effective sealing around access and discharge points is particularly important, helping to contain fine powders while protecting the transported product throughout its journey.
Silicone Engineering supplies kSil® FDA Medium silicone sponge for use as a compression gasket on silo-type rail wagons transporting dry food products.
The Challenge
The gasket is installed around the perimeter of the wagon’s hinged hatch assembly, creating a compressed seal between the hatch and its mating frame when closed.
For this type of application, the sealing material must accommodate the compression generated by the closure system while maintaining reliable contact around a relatively large perimeter. The application also introduces an additional consideration: the wagon is used to transport food products, making material selection particularly important.
Fine powders such as flour and sugar can also make effective containment challenging, placing greater emphasis on maintaining a consistent seal around the hatch.
The Solution
The kSil® FDA Medium blue silicone sponge was selected for the application.
The compressible sponge construction allows the gasket to conform to the mating surfaces as the hatch closes, helping compensate for tolerances and surface variation while establishing a continuous perimeter seal.
Its distinctive blue colour also makes the gasket highly visible against the wagon structure, supporting straightforward visual inspection during maintenance.
The Outcome
The solution provides a durable compression seal suited to the demanding combination of rail transportation and dry food-product handling.
The material is currently used by two customers for this application, demonstrating how specialist silicone materials traditionally associated with passenger rail and industrial sealing can also support the transportation of bulk food products.
Key Benefits
- FDA-grade silicone material for food-related applications
- Sponge construction for effective compression sealing
- Helps contain fine dry powders such as sugar and flour
- Conforms to mating surfaces and accommodates dimensional variation
- Highly visible blue material supports visual inspection
- Suitable for repeated opening and closing of the hatch assembly
