Food Fittings

What Are Hygienic Fittings or  Food Fittings?

Here we discuss five key types: DIN 11851, SMS, DIN 11853, DIN 32676, and DIN 11864. An important aspect when choosing a coupling is the surface roughness of the material, expressed in Ra values (average roughness). For hygienic applications, Ra values of 0.8 µm or lower are often used, while aseptic processes typically require a roughness of 0.4 µm. The Food Fittings are ranked from least hygienic to most hygienic, helping you easily determine which coupling best suits your needs.

DIN 11851 - Dairy Fitting - Milk Couplings

DIN 11851 is one of the oldest and most commonly used couplings. This screw coupling, also known as a Dairy Fitting and milk coupling, is simple in design and easy to use. Its main advantage is its wide availability and low cost. However, the design is less hygienic, often featuring a material roughness of 0.8 µm, which is less suitable for sensitive processes. Dead spots can occur where dirt accumulates, making it harder to clean. This Dairy fitting is primarily used in the dairy industry and other processes with lower hygiene requirements.

SMS - Screw Coupling - Food Coupling - Brewery Fitting

SMS couplings are Food Fittings that are a step forward in terms of hygiene. While also a screw coupling, it features a more compact design with improved seals. This makes it more hygienic and easier to clean than DIN 11851. SMS couplings are widely used in breweries and the food industry. A drawback is that they are not fully aseptic and are less suitable for applications with the highest sterilization requirements.

DIN 11853 - Hygienic Fitting - Food Coupling - Pharmaceutical Coupling - Sanitary fittings

DIN 11853 offers Food Fittings a significant improvement for hygienic applications. This coupling is specifically designed for the food and pharmaceutical industries, where stringent hygiene standards apply. The design significantly reduces dead spots and is suitable for CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-in-Place) systems. DIN 11853 couplings are typically manufactured with a material roughness of 0.8 µm, meeting the requirements for hygienic processes. This makes it a reliable choice for sensitive applications, although it is more complex and expensive than the previous types of Food Fittings.

DIN 32676 - Tri-Clamp - Food Coupling - Pharmaceutical Coupling - Beverage Industry Coupling -  Sanitary Fittings

DIN 32676 is a tri-clamp coupling popular for its simple and hygienic design. It uses a clamp mechanism, allowing parts to be assembled and disassembled quickly and without tools. This design completely avoids dead spots and is excellent for cleaning. DIN 32676 is widely used in the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and beverage production. Its flexibility and high hygiene standards make it an excellent choice, though it may be less suitable for processes requiring extremely high aseptic standards.

DIN 11864 - Aseptic Fitting - Pharmaceutical Coupling - Biotechnology Coupling - Sanitary Fittings

DIN 11864 is the most hygienic coupling in this series and is specifically designed for aseptic processes. This type is often used in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, and other sectors requiring sterile conditions. The design is completely free of dead spots and offers excellent cleanability. DIN 11864 couplings are often supplied with a material roughness of 0.4 µm, essential for the highest hygienic and aseptic standards. DIN 11864 is ideal for processes requiring CIP and SIP, where contamination must be entirely avoided. However, it is the most expensive and complex coupling in use.

Here is an overview of the different types of couplings and their properties:

With this information, you can make an informed choice about the coupling that best suits your process and hygiene requirements. For simple applications, DIN 11851 is often sufficient, while DIN 11864 is indispensable for the most sensitive and sterile processes.