10 Things to Consider When Buying Custom Silicone Gaskets

Industrial gaskets play a critical role in ensuring the proper functioning of machinery and equipment. They prevent leaks, maintain pressure, and ensure smooth operation, ultimately contributing to a safe and efficient workplace. But with so many different types available, choosing the right gasket can feel overwhelming.

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This blog post will delve deeper into the six crucial considerations for selecting the perfect gasket for your needs, providing practical examples and real-world applications.

1. Operating Conditions: The environment where the gasket will be used is paramount

• Temperature: Extreme heat or cold can affect the gasket's performance. For high-temperature applications (above 400°F), consider materials like graphite or PTFE. Lower temperature applications may require elastomers like EPDM or silicone.

• Pressure: The pressure exerted on the gasket determines its required strength and material. High-pressure applications might demand metallic gaskets, while lower-pressure systems could use elastomeric or non-metallic options.

• Fluids: The type of fluid being sealed is critical. Corrosive fluids necessitate gaskets made from resistant materials like stainless steel or PTFE. For applications involving solvents, hydrocarbons, or oils, elastomers like Viton or Buna-N are suitable choices.

• Vacuum: Gaskets in vacuum systems need to be carefully chosen to prevent outgassing, which can affect performance. Materials like Viton, PTFE, or silicone are preferred.

Example: Imagine a gasket for a high-pressure steam valve operating at 500°F. In this scenario, a metallic gasket made of stainless steel or a graphite-based gasket would be ideal.

2. Material Compatibility: The gasket's material must be compatible with the materials of the flanges it is sealing

• Chemical Resistance: The gasket shouldn't react or degrade when exposed to the sealed fluid. For example, rubber gaskets might not be suitable for strong acids or solvents.

• Thermal Expansion: Materials with similar thermal expansion coefficients should be paired to avoid stress and potential leaks. Consider a graphite gasket for a steel flange, as they have similar thermal expansion characteristics.

• Surface Finish: The gasket material should match the surface finish of the flanges. A rough surface might require a compressible gasket material to ensure a proper seal.

Example: In a system using a stainless steel flange, a gasket made of PTFE or stainless steel would be compatible, ensuring chemical resistance and minimizing thermal expansion differences.

3. Gasket Type: Various gasket types cater to different applications

• Flat Gaskets: Simple, cost-effective, and widely used for low-pressure applications. Examples: rubber gaskets, fiber gaskets, and metal-clad gaskets.

• Spiral Wound Gaskets: Offer high pressure sealing capabilities and excellent adaptability to uneven flange surfaces. Common in piping systems, valves, and heat exchangers.

• Ring Joint Gaskets: Provide superior sealing under high pressure and temperature. Ideal for critical applications requiring high reliability.

• O-Rings: Circular seals offering excellent sealing in static applications like fittings and valves. They're often made from elastomers like Viton or Buna-N.

Example: For a high-pressure pipeline carrying corrosive fluids, a spiral wound gasket with a metallic filler would be a robust and reliable choice.

4. Size and Shape: The gasket's dimensions must match the flanges being sealed

• ID/OD: The inner and outer diameter should align with the flange dimensions.

• Thickness: The gasket's thickness can impact the sealing pressure and compression required.

• Shape: Gaskets come in various shapes, such as round, oval, rectangular, and custom configurations, depending on the application.

Example: For a 4-inch diameter flange, a gasket with a 4-inch inner diameter and a 6-inch outer diameter would be needed, ensuring a proper fit and seal.

5. Gasket Performance

• Sealing Performance: Consider the desired level of sealing. Some gaskets excel in preventing leaks under high pressure, while others focus on preventing fluid permeation.

• Compression Set: The tendency of a gasket to permanently deform under compression can affect its sealing performance over time. Look for materials with low compression set for long-term reliability.

• Reusability: Some gaskets are designed for multiple uses, while others are intended for single-use applications.

Example: In a critical application where a leak could be hazardous, a gasket with excellent sealing performance and minimal compression set would be vital for ensuring long-term safety and reliability.

6. Cost Considerations:

• Material Cost: The material used influences the gasket's price. Exotic materials like PTFE or high-grade alloys are generally more expensive.

• Gasket Type: Complex gasket designs, like spiral wound gaskets, often have a higher cost than simple flat gaskets.

• Quantity: Bulk orders typically offer cost advantages.

Example: For a low-pressure application where cost is a significant factor, a simple flat gasket made of rubber or fiber could be a cost-effective solution.

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Conclusion:

Choosing the right industrial gasket involves a careful consideration of several factors. By assessing operating conditions, material compatibility, gasket type, size, performance, and cost, you can make an informed decision that ensures the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your equipment.

Remember, consulting with a gasket specialist can provide valuable guidance and help you select the ideal gasket for your specific needs.

While they are low cost and appear to be simple, the value of choosing the best gasket material ' such as expanded ptfe, vegetable fiber, or flexible graphite 'cannot be understated. Even so, the custom gasket material is often not reviewed until there is gasket failure or if there is a high maintenance cost associated with servicing the gasket.

In either case, the primary function of a custom gasket is to provide mechanical seals for a liquid or gas throughout the life of the application. The industrial gasket serves as a buffer and compensates for any imperfections between mating surfaces that need to be sealed.

Let's take a closer look at a few elements that should be addressed in choosing the best gasket material for mechanical seals and other applications.  

Temperature Considerations for Gasket Materials 

The starting point for choosing the best gasket material is typically temperature. Temperature considerations are critical because it can alter the physical characteristics of a material, including compression set, sealing properties, and maximum allowable stress. 

It's vital to consider both external and internal temperatures because gaskets in direct sunlight exposure can easily experience internal temperatures in excess of 140 degrees. 

On the other hand, exposure to an extremely cold flow or freezing temperatures can cause gaskets to become brittle or stiff, which can alter their physical properties and increase the chances of it failing.

Gaskets that experience cycling from warm to cold or vice versa in extreme applications can exhibit a higher compression set. As you can see, considering the temperature range is critical in choosing the best gaskets. It's imperative the material selected for gaskets can withstand exposure to the necessary range of temperatures.

UV & Ozone Considerations for Gasket Material

Ozone and UV exposure are both potential sources of rubber gasket degradation. It's also important to understand ozone doesn't just come from the atmosphere, but it can be created by electrical enclosures with high voltage electrical components. 

In either case, ozone and UV will break down the carbon bonds in the backbone polymers, which can result in hardening, drying, flaking, cracking, and scaling. Organic rubber gaskets like natural rubber, Buna-N (Nitrile), Buna-S(SBR), and synthetic isoprene will break down relatively quickly in exposure. However, EPDM and silicone are two materials that may be better equipped to resist UV in different applications.

Pressure Considerations for Gasket Materials

When a certain amount of pressure is exerted on a system, joints can begin to deform. As a result, it's vital for pressure to be considered when choosing the best gasket materials. Today, some of the gaskets have a P x T rating factor offering insight into the max limits of pressure and temperature combined. 

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Considerations for Gasket Materials

Manufacturers of aerospace, automotive, consumer, and industrial electronics are required to meet Federal (EMI) product standards. EMI is emitted by components as well as internal wires and can function like emitting antennas. 

For EMI radiation to be controlled, electronic components must be completely encased in a conductive enclosure, and it's vital the enclosure and lid have complete contact.

As a result, a viable conductive gasket is necessary. In addition to EMI attenuation, these gaskets may also function as environmental sealing. 

Media Considerations for Gasket Materials

Undoubtedly, the media the gasket will be exposed to is a critical consideration. In general, gas will be more difficult to seal than a liquid. After the material with an acceptable temperature/pressure range has been identified, the next step is to consider whether it will be compatible with the media being sealed. 

Chemicals can impact the functional properties and structural integrity of the material. And the chemical resistance of the gasket material is critical because the other properties of the gasket material would be irrelevant. 

You should also consider the effect temperature will have on its chemical resistance. For instance, many fluids can be more aggressive in certain temperatures. As a result, gaskets used to seal fluids at an ambient temperature may not perform the same at higher temperatures.

Common Gasket Materials & Key Characteristics

Now we've covered a few of the top considerations for choosing the best gasket materials, let's look at a few common materials and their characteristics. At Frank Lowe, we offer most of our gasket materials on a roll or on a sheet based on the unique needs of your application.

Non-Asbestos Types of Gaskets

Non-asbestos types of gaskets are created from a compressed fiber material and a binding elastomer. Non-asbestos types of gaskets are used across many different applications, involving water, oil, acid, and steam.

Cork Gasket Materials 

Cork gasket materials are very stable, lightweight materials with the ability to resist water penetration.

Key Benefits of Cork Material for Gaskets

It boasts outstanding compressibility, high resistance to oil, solvents, and no lateral flow. Cork is unaffected by extreme temperatures and is resistant to wear. At Frank Lowe, we offer cork materials on a sheet as well as on rolls.

Cork-n-Rubber Gasket Materials

Cork-n-rubber materials are a combination of synthetic rubber polymers and granulated cork.

Key Benefits of Cork-n-Rubber Materials

This offers high flexibility and resilience of rubber with the compressibility of cork. In addition, the rubber boasts the ability to provide chemical compatibility and act as a seal while helping resist weather conditions, acids, and fungus. 

You can choose from a range of different rubber materials to best meet the chemical resistance needs of the gasket. You can also opt for cork-n-rubber die cut on a sheet or on a roll based on your needs.  

Silicone Gasket Materials

Silicone gaskets are offered as foam, sponge, or as a solid. In either case, the characteristics can include general inertness, high-temperature stability, and resilience.

Key Benefits of Silicone Gasket Material

Silicone offers a number of benefits, including: 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Custom Silicone Gaskets.