Cartridges as the heart of sanitary fittings
With effect from 1st June 2006, CeramTec AG Innovative Ceramic Engineering
has taken over the seal disc and cartridge production for sanitary fittings
from Ideal Standard GmbH & Co OHG in Wittlich. With this investment, the
Mechanical Systems Division of CeramTec AG has added cartridge production
for sanitary fittings to its manufacturing competencies.
The Mechanical Systems Division at the CeramTec plant in Lauf is market leader for ceramic seal and regulator discs. With this forward integration as a result of the acquisition, the division expands its manufacturing competencies from production of ceramic seal discs to the production of complete cartridges. By doing so, CeramTec continues to hold a leading position as a supplier to fitting manufacturers.
A cartridge forms the core of a sanitary fitting. Driven by the lever of the fitting, it regulates the amount and temperature of the water running from the faucet.
A cartridge is made up of approx. 20 individual components — made of plastic, metal and rubber, one ceramic seal disc and one regulator disc. These cartridges are then installed into the fitting and allow it to operate. A suitable cartridge must be developed and installed depending on the shape and requirements of the fitting.
The crucial components of a cartridge are the seal and regulator discs which are adjacent to each other inside the cartridge and which remain in contact as they are rotated. These ceramic discs vary in their geometry and holes depending on the fitting and cartridge. Most however have 2 inflow holes for hot and cold water as well as a combined water hole, through which the mixed hot and cold water flows out. Depending on how the disc holes are rotated via the fitting lever, the appropriate aperture angle is attained and more or less water flows through and more or less water is mixed together, and so the temperature of the water running out. Seal and regulator discs fulfil several functions simultaneously: They maintain water temperature and make the faucet watertight, preventing dripping. Secondly, they must be able to be rotated together effortlessly, so that the faucet can be operated without difficulty. Thirdly, they must withstand any solid particles in the water – such as sand or calcium – so that their polished surfaces remain level and therefore watertight. Fittings and cartridges are tested in the laboratory, where they are turned on and off under various water temperatures 1.5 million times. This corresponds to 50 years of usage in a household consisting of 4 people. The fitting remains watertight and operates as it did on the first day.