Basics The gasket is only one component of a sealing system.

The other components are t he mating surfaces, the clamping method, the internal and external environments. Prime Function To allow two surfaces to be adequately mated and sealed. Provide easy separation of the mated parts at service intervals. Prevent escape or ingress of fluids (gas or liquid) even at extreme pressures an d temperatures. Major Requirement Impermeable: Must not allow leakage through the material, even under pressure. Resilience and Strength: Must conform and mould itself into all irregularities o n flange surfaces whilst having sufficient tensile strength to resist blow-out u nder operating conditions. Recovery: Must seal when tightened down (and often crushed) but recover to maint ain a seal when the flanges move under mechanical, temperature or pressure force s. Creepage: Must not creep, spread or extrude under conditions of high bolt pressu re or high contained fluid pressure - even at high temperatures. Chemicals: Must not be attacked or weakened by a wide range of fluids even when exposed for extended periods at high temperatures. Temperature: Must remain resilient for long periods of time at low or high tempe ratures. Contamination: Must not contaminate the sealed fluids - especially important in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Step 1: Material Selection Evaluate the application, the likely temperatures, pressures, and any chemicals. For dust sealing with low bolt loading consider a foam rubber. Foam Rubber Gaskets Foam rubber gaskets is a generic term covering a range of gaskets made from diff erent foam rubbers. These materials are commonly used to manufacture equipment s eals; dust, moisture and splash seals; lid seals; various kinds of filters, and speaker gaskets. Applications The particular foam rubber required will depend upon the application. Neoprene, nitrile, viton, Silicone, EPDM, and Neoprene/EPDM blend can all be produced as f oams. Properties The general properties for a foamed rubber are those of the parent rubber. For lids and sumps sealing consider cork. Cork Gaskets Cork gaskets vary depending upon the size of the cork granule used to manufactur er the material, and the base rubber compounds with which the cork material is b onded. Cork gaskets provide a cheap and effective seal, with good oil resistant properties. Cork is used for: sumps, crank case covers, inspection doors, vale c overs, electrical transformer gaskets, electrical switchgear, general cover and lids, and anti-vibration purposes. At low temperatures and pressures select a rubber suitable for the environment. Rubber Gaskets Rubber gaskets are perhaps the most common type of gasket. The properties of the gasket will depend upon the type of rubber from which it is manufactured.For in stance, gaskets might be manufactured from the following rubbers: natural, styre ne butadiene, nitrile, butadiene acrilonitrile, ethylene propylene, EPDM, butyl, and hypalon. Rubbers can be used in a variety of working conditions.Rubber gask ets are typically used for water pipes; other fluids, oils, and chemicals; and o ther low-pressure applications.

Neoprene Gaskets Neoprene is a synthetic rubber, which can be produced in a solid or foam form.Ne oprene is known for its chemical inertia. Neoprene gaskets are particularly suit able for use with water; be that salt or fresh water.Neoprene also has excellent weather resistant properties. Nitrile Gaskets Nitrile is a synthetic rubber, which can be produced in a solid or foam form.Nit rile is known for its oil, fuel, and chemical resistant properties. Nitrile gask ets are particularly suited for use with fats and oils, or other liquids contami nated by these. Uses above 100 centigrade but at low pressures could be accommodated by a specia list rubber. Silicone and Viton Gaskets Viton has similar properties to PTFE, and is therefore used in aggressive chemic al environments. Silicone gaskets have general application in the food industry. For aggresive chemicals below about 240 centigrade PTFE can often help. PTFE Gaskets (Polytetrafluoroethylene gaskets) PTFE gaskets are mainly used in environments i n which the gasket material is exposed to aggressive chemicals: such as acids, b ases and solvents. Various non-asbestos jointings are available for conditions up to 450 centigrade and 160 bar. Non-Asbestos Gaskets Non-Asbestos gaskets refers to a group of material products which replace the no w illegal asbestos materials.These products are available in a variety of differ ent grades and thicknesses.These materials are used to manufacture gaskets for: air compressors, diesel engines, pipelines, and most other industrial and marine applications. Consider graphite for steam with a variable process cycle and mica for extreme t emperatures. Graphite Gaskets Graphite gaskets are used for steam and processing applications. They provide a higher performance seal in these conditions than non-asbestos jointing. Graphite is suitable for very high temperatures. Mica Gaskets Mica gaskets are used in turbochargers. Like graphite, mica can handle very high temperatures. Step 2: The Flange and the Gasket Once the material is chosen the flange and bolting need to be designed to ensure the following: The gasket is compressed evenly over the whole surface area. Thin flanges or exc essive distance between bolt holes can result in some portions of the gasket bei ng crushed whilst other areas are not sufficiently loaded to prevent leakage or blow-out.Vary the width of narrow flanges. If the bolts are widely spaced and th e flange width is constant then excessive loading will occur on the limited mate rial around the bolts.