West Conshohocken, PA — (August 16, 2007) — When automation technology company Seli GmbH was developing the first ever digital fill level limit switch (SMW) for the food and pharmaceutical industries, it chose to encapsulate the sensor head with FDA-approvable VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer because of the material’s ability to withstand the considerable stresses encountered during plant operations.

Because the sensor head is constantly in contact with the medium being monitored, it is exposed to extreme temperature and chemical conditions. The sensor’s continuous operating temperature ranges from -10°C (14°F) to 150°C (302°F) depending on the process in which the switch is installed. VICTREX PEEK polymer can withstand temperatures of up to 260°C (500°F). This allows the sensors to be exposed to prolonged sterilization at approximately 150°C (302°F) at up to 6 bar. VICTREX PEEK polymer also offers excellent resistance to all common solvents, acids and bases, and exhibits outstanding mechanical properties including tensile strength, impact and bending and creep characteristics. A major benefit of completely encapsulating the sensor with VICTREX PEEK polymer is that it eliminates the need for seals, which significantly extends the service life of the sensor.

The SMW fill level limit switch can be incorporated into the common process connections of the given industry. The sensors can be used to monitor filling levels in containers or pipelines, and as a limit switch, depending on the medium for phase separation. They are insensitive to foam and adhesions and response time is measured in milli-seconds. The Seli probe features a switch in the connecting head to adjust the switch delay and switch output. The process can be monitored via an interface and the corresponding software. It is also possible to modify the configurations directly at the device or alternatively at the computer. Complete process monitoring can be implemented with a computer. The features that make the sensor unique are the ability to freely adjust the limit values and hysteresis.

The use of FDA-approvable VICTREX PEEK polymer has enabled Seli to achieve a very high standard of safety for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

About Victrex Company
Victrex plc is the leading manufacturer of high performance materials, including VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, VICOTE® Coatings and APTIV™ film. These materials are used in a variety of markets and offer an exceptional combination of properties to help processors and end users reach new levels of cost savings, quality, and performance. The company is headquartered in the UK. Invibio®, Victrex’s biomaterials business, provides access to specialized products and services for medical device manufacturers. Victrex Japan, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victrex plc.