Hygienic & Sanitary Rupture Discs
Non-hygienic rupture discs risk collecting unwanted media or bacteria, resulting in ruined batches, production downtime and irreparable harm to customer confidence. That’s why Fike sanitary rupture discs maintain similar hygienic characteristics and approvals found throughout these environments, and are backed by more than 80 years of engineering expertise.
What Is A “Hygienic” Rupture Disc?
Hygienic rupture discs must maintain similar hygienic qualities found throughout a production facility in the biotech, food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Non-hygienic rupture discs and holders may collect unwanted media or bacteria, resulting in ruined batches, production downtime and irreparable harm to customer confidence.
CIP (Clean-in-Place)/SIP (Steam-in-Place) Compatible
The rupture disc remains during cleaning and is engineered to withstand high burst pressures and temperatures produced by CIP/SIP equipment.
Option For Electro-Polishing
A method of using a mild acid and low voltage of electricity to create an ultra-smooth finish, which greatly reduces areas for media or bacteria to collect.
Option For Passivation
A method that removes any microscopic traces of carbon (which may cause rust or corrosion) during the rupture disc’s production.
Non-Contaminated Packaging
Quality control hygienic packaging ensures contaminants do not transfer onto rupture discs.
Disc Materials
Material used is often stainless steel or hastelloy to match the material of the rest of the facility.
AXIUS® SC
Premier Reverse-Acting Hygienic Rupture Disc
Fike's premium sanitary rupture disc ideal for most applications.
Specs
- Reverse Acting
- Fike G2 Technology
- 1-4" | DN25-DN-100
- 10-275 psig | 0.69-18.96 barg
- US Operating Ratio - 95% of marked BP*
- EU Operating Ratio - 100% of min BP*
- Liquid & Gas/Vapor
RD540 SC
High-Performance, Ultra-Low-Pressure Reverse Acting Hygienic Rupture Disc
Supports very low burst pressures found in fragile applications with gas or vapor.
Specs
- Reverse Acting
- Fike G2 Technology
- 1-4" | DN25-DN-100
- 2.5-25 psig | 0.17-1.72 barg
- US Operating Ratio - 90% of marked BP*
- EU Operating Ratio - 90% of min BP*
- Gas/Vapor
SHX Rupture Disc
Forward-Acting High Pressure Hygienic Rupture Disc
Supports high burst pressures found in hygienic processes with liquid, gas or vapor.
Specs
- Forward Acting
- Cross Scored
- 1.5-2" | DN40-DN-50
- 250-1500 psig | 17.24-103.42 barg
- US Operating Ratio - 90% of marked BP*
- EU Operating Ratio - 95% of min BT**
- Gas/Vapor
Additional Hygienic Discs
SR-H | Download Data Sheet
LO-V | Download Data Sheet
AD-H TC | Download Data Sheet
*BP - Burst Pressure
**BT - Burst Tolerance
Hygienic Applications
The following are examples of hygienic applications that Fike has protected for decades with our pressure relief solutions.
Sanitary Autoclaves
Pressure vessel that can be sealed gas-tight and is used for thermal steam treatment in pharmaceutical applications to sterilize laboratory utilities.
- Recommend Solution: Custom engineered products with a welded rupture disc on top
- Common disc diameter for autoclaves: 1/8 inch | DN6
- Material of choice: Hastelloy (due to aggressive media)
Bio-Reactors
Designed to support and control biological reactions, and require some of the highest demands for sanitary solutions: FDA & USP Class 6.
- Recommended Solution: Axius SC
- Fulfills all required sanitary standards
- Sanitary gaskets are critical
Homogenizers
Distribute small insoluble particles throughout another liquid to produce a homogenous mix; present very high pressures and strict sanitary requirements.
- Recommended Solution: SHX due to the extremely high pressures
- Custom-engineered solutions also available for 500-2000 barg
- Meets strict CE, 3A, ASME requirements
Fermenters
Products must be kept safe during the manufacturing and supply chain processes; therefore, they must be cleaned and sterilized (CIP/SIP) after each batch or run.
- Recommended Solution: Fike hygienic rupture discs are CIP/SIP compatible
- Vacuum-resistant for sterilization conditions
- May be installed flush-mounted to minimize the risk of contamination
FAQs
- What is a hygienic rupture disc?
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A hygienic rupture disc is a pressure relief device designed for hygienic or sanitary systems, with smooth surfaces, cleanable materials and compatibility with CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Steam-In-Place) processes. It bursts at a predetermined pressure to protect vessels or piping without compromising product sterility.
- Can hygienic rupture discs handle extreme high and low pressures?
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Yes, Fike hygienic rupture discs can be specified for high-pressure operations. Standard sanitary designs can handle pressures from a few psig (Fike RD540) up to several thousand psig (Fike SRX), depending on size, material and design. However, extremely low or high pressures may require custom-engineered discs.
- Are rupture discs compatible with CIP/SIP processes?
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Yes, Fike hygienic rupture discs are typically made from 316/316L stainless steel or other compatible materials, polished or finished for smoothness, and can withstand repeated steam sterilization and clean-in-place cycles without losing integrity.
- Which fittings are usually compatible with sanitary rupture discs?
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Fike Hygienic rupture discs are designed for tri-clamp and NA Connect options, making integration into pipelines and vessels seamless.
- Are hygienic rupture discs compliant with regulatory standards?
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Yes, many Fike hygienic rupture discs meet FDA, USP Class VI and 3-A sanitary standards, making them suitable for food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications.