A gasket is one of the basic elements for flanged joints in several systems. A gasket is a sealing material or a combination of materials clamped between two separable mechanical members of a mechanical or flanged joint that produces the joint’s weakest link. Different types of gaskets ensure leak-proof sealing. Many different types of gaskets are widely used in the oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, and other heavy industries.
Gasket applications
The following are the most common applications of gaskets:
· Gaskets used in piping (flange gaskets).
· Gaskets found in automobiles (cars, boats, planes, trains etc.)
· Gaskets with specific material properties (cork, rubber paper etc.)
· Gaskets that serve a particular purpose (pressure, temperature, or chemical resistance)
· Bespoke or custom-made gaskets
Gaskets can be classified in various ways, including material, function, and application. A gasket is essentially a piece of flexible material that sits between two other surfaces. Gaskets are typically made of soft materials like rubber. As a result, one of the most common applications is for sealing pipes to prevent liquid leakage. Other typical applications for gaskets include anti-vibration and mounting.
Material-specific gasket types
Gaskets will take on the characteristics of the materials from which they are made. These materials are used because they are resistant to certain chemicals like acids or have the ability to withstand extreme temperatures or pressures.
Rubber is a flexible gasket material. Various elastomers, including neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, and natural rubber, can be used. Rubber gaskets are used in many different applications, including pipe gaskets, heat exchangers, and manways.
Gasket uses
Gaskets can also be classified according to their functions or applications. The following are some of the most common applications for gaskets:
Sealing
One of the primary functions of a gasket is to prevent liquid leakage or ingress. Therefore, the liquids used in the process should be specified for the rubber in liquid seals. Certain rubber types, such as Viton, are more resistant to chemicals, whereas nitrile is better suited to industries involving oils, fuels, and solvents.
Environmental seals
Environmental seals protect against dust and other pollutants in the environment. These seals are commonly found in electrical enclosures. A foam rubber door gasket installed in these enclosures
plays a vital role in maintaining the enclosure’s integrity and ensuring the equipment inside is kept in an optimal working environment.
Antivibration
Vibration, like sound, has different frequencies. Antivibration pads and flooring disrupt those frequencies, reducing the amount of energy wasted or damage caused by vibration. Anti-vibration gaskets are used in areas like machinery mountings, pipe supports, and structural bearings.
Piping and flange gasket types
Pipe gaskets (also known as flange gaskets) are made from various materials, including rubber, non-asbestos, and graphite. These gaskets are available as either full faced (with bolt holes) or inner bolt circle. (IBC, ring type or raised face).
Full faced
A full-face gasket is one that completely covers the flange. It is easily identified since the holes for the bolts are cut into the gasket material.
Inner bolt circle (IBC)
Inner bolt circle (IBC) gaskets are also known as ring-type or raised-face gaskets. They are purely a continuous ring of material that sits within the circle of the bolts used to secure the joint.
Segmented
When the flange is an unusual shape, extremely large, or expensive, segmented gaskets are used. A segmented gasket is formed by arranging two or more gasket parts with an overlap, tab, or shaped joint arrangement so that when compressed, it provides a continuous seal within the flange joint.
Why choose Fuzion Trading
For over 30 years, Fuzion Trading has positioned itself as a market leader for precision rubber products. This has led us to build up an extensive range of specialised gaskets for use across several industries, facilities, and applications.
Each gasket is designed and developed with efficiency, reliability, and affordability at its core. This ensures that our products provide a robust and versatile solution to every facility we work with, regardless of the application.
Specialised solutions to spec
In addition to our off-the-shelf precision rubber products, we work closely with our clients to provide solutions that meet their specific needs. Please speak to us today for more about our gaskets.
Contact Fuzion Trading for details
Fuzion Trading works with and stocks a wide range of gaskets for industrial and commercial applications. Find out more about our specialised range of gaskets by contacting one of our representatives. Alternatively, you can continue browsing our website for more information.
