Learn everything you need to know about choosing the right gasket material for your project.
There are many issues to consider when selecting gasket materials for a specific application. From the shape of the material itself to density and properties, the considerations are endless.
Gasket material is a mechanical seal that helps fill the space between two or more surfaces. It is an integral part of many devices, vehicles and machinery. Choosing the wrong one can lead to leaks and bursts that could cost you more money in the long run. Or in extreme cases, a leaking flange setup could cause injury from exposure to high temperatures or toxic chemicals.
The problem is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Deciding which gasket material to use is a matter of evaluating the environment it will be in, the type of machine that is best suited to your operation, and evaluating flange design and condition. To help you get started, here is a breakdown of the different types of gasket materials available from leading gasket manufacturers.
Rubber gaskets are one of the most commonly used materials in gasketing applications because of their inherent properties of elastomers. They can be bent, stretched, bent, twisted and formed into other shapes and are perfect for filling small spaces between two uneven surfaces that need to be sealed. Some common rubber gasket materials include:
Butyl Rubber Gasket
Ideal for applications exposed to gases and ingress of water, providing excellent weather and ozone resistance.
Insert rubber gasket
Used as a water seal and reinforced with nylon fabric to provide extra strength and prevent stretching.
EPDM rubber gasket
Always provide excellent weather resistance due to its anti-aging, UV, ozone and oxidation resistance.
Neoprene Gasket
Ideal as an external seal for a wide variety of applications, providing best-in-class waterproof sealing and resistance to oil and chemicals.
Silicone Rubber Gasket
One of the best choices for the electrical and renewable energy industries because of their excellent sealing and insulating properties.
Nitrile rubber gasket
Primarily used in automotive and industrial applications, this is a great choice if you are looking for a first-class seal against petrochemicals, greases and oils.
Viton Rubber Gasket
Commonly used in the oil and gas industry, Viton rubber gaskets provide excellent gas and chemical sealing.
It's worth noting that rubber gaskets aren't as effective when temperatures get too hot or too cold. In other cases, if the surrounding material is too soft, it may cause underloading or compression of the bolts, affecting the seal.
Sponge and Foam Gaskets
Foam gaskets can be cut flexibly and can have open-cell, semi-closed and closed-cell structures. This means they are very effective in thermal and acoustic insulation as well as shock and vibration control. They are also great for sealing out dust and moisture. Common forms of foam gasket materials include polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, Nitto, PVC, pyrosorb, ECOcell, and superseal.
The sponge gasket has a closed cell structure. It's also very compressible and works well in high heat. Sponge gasket material is best for outdoor applications and reduces vibration.
From EPDM sponge gaskets and Kaiflex EPDM gaskets to neoprene hybrid gaskets and nitrile PVC gaskets, there are many types to choose from - each suited to a different application.
Cork has been used as a sealing material for centuries, since the Romans used cork for wine bottles.
As a gasket material, its closed-cell structure allows it to provide excellent elasticity and is very lightweight. Cork can withstand about half its thickness and still recover when the load is removed, and is resistant to water, many oils, and ozone.
While natural cork can withstand temperatures up to 135C, other gasket materials are better suited for hotter conditions. Instead, it thrives on sealing water, gases, and liquids, and provides the perfect solution for rattles.
For good oil resistance at low pressure, neoprene cork gasket or nitrile cork gasket material is a viable option.
The only major downside to cork is that it's not particularly good at resisting mold, fungus, and acids.
felt pad
Another gasket material you can use is felt. Felts are made from natural and synthetic materials such as wool, acrylic and rayon, and are often used to make gasket materials for construction purposes, such as providing acoustic solutions and trim.
One of the most common felt materials is synthetic material. It's dense and known for its high-performance properties - including resistance to tearing and abrasion.
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