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The primary purpose of a seal is to contain a fluid and protect the immediate environment from contamination. A gasket is used to create and retain a static seal between two relatively stationary parts. A static seal aim to provide a complete physical barrier against the fluid contained within by blocking any potential leakage path. In this article information is give on gasket, gasket materials and gasket categories (types). Gasket A gasket is a compressible material, or a combination of materials, which when clamped between two stationary members prevents the passage of the fluid across these members. To prevent passage of fluid, the gasket must be able to flow into (and fill) any irregularities in the mating surfaces being sealed, while at the same time be sufficiently resilient to resist extrusion and creep under operating conditions. The seal is effected by the action of force upon the gasket surface (usually by bolts), which compresses the gasket, causing it to flow into any surface imperfections. Gasket Materials Wide varieties of materials are used in the manufacture of gaskets. This section is aimed at providing a brief overview of the common materials. For simplicity they are divided into 4 parts. Elastomeric materials Fibrous materials Other materials Metallic materials Elastomeric materials They are the entry level to sheet sealing products. More commonly, they act as the binder when compounded with various fibres and fillers. They are made in various composition (hence performance) and are available in specification grade and commercial quality. Butyl rubber (IIR, also known as isobutylene,isoprene) An elastomer offering good resistance to ozone and gas permeation. Suitable for mild acids, alkalis and esters, but little resistance to oils and fuels. BS 3227 Grades B60, B70. Chlorosulphonated polyethylene An elastomer with excellent chemical resistance against acids and alkalis. Good oil resistance. Outstanding fire protection properties. Ethylene propylenediene (EPDM) Elastomer which offers good resistance to ozone, steam, strong acids and alkalis, but is not suitable for solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons. BS 6014 Grades EP60S, EP70S, EP80S. Fluoroelastomer A fluorinated hydrocarbon which offers excellent resistance to acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils and many corrosive applications. Not suitable for amines, esters, ketones or steam. Natural rubber (NR) Excellent for recovery properties. Good resistance to most inorganic salts, mild acids and alkalis. Not recommended for oils and
Typical physical properties of Commercial grade Neoprene (made by James Walkerbrand number 264 C) is as under. Hardness, IRHD: 55 to 70 Density, Mg/m3: 1.4 0.2 Tensile strength, MPa: 5 (1 MPa = 1 N / square mm)
Kammprofile gaskets consist of a metal core with concentric serrated grooves on each side and the addition of a soft layer of sealing material bonded to each face. Selection of the metallic core material and sealing layer materials is dependent on the service duty. The serrated metallic core is very effective for sealing in applications where high temperatures, high pressures and fluctuating conditions exist. It can be used without sealing layers, but there is a risk of flange damage. The sealing layers protect the flange surfaces from damage and also offer excellent sealing properties when supported by the serrated metallic core. These gaskets can seal pressures up to 250 bar and withstand temperatures up to 1000 deg. C. The serrated metallic core can be re-used, subject to inspection after cleaning and re-layering. Metal eyelet
In these gaskets a metal bead (usually stainless steel) is put around the inner periphery of gaskets cut from sheet material to protect the gasket s internal diameter. The gaskets can be produced using a wide variety of compressed asbestos fibre and compressed non-
These gaskets are specially designed and widely used for heat exchangers, autoclaves, columns, pressure vessels, valve bonnets, etc. The gaskets are manufactured from a soft, pliable filler core surrounded by a metal jacket, chemically and thermally resistant to the working conditions. Metal jacket may totally or partially enclose the filler. Metals such as soft iron, carbon steel and stainless steel are used in annealed condition to encase a soft filler material, usually non-asbestos millboard. Alternative fillers include expanded graphite, PTFE, compressed non-asbestos fibre and ceramic fibre. Metal reinforced soft gaskets When gasket width has to be narrow as in cylinder heads and exhaust manifold on internal combustion engines, compressed asbestos fibre ( CAF ) sheets and compressed asbestos-free (non-asbestos) fibre sheets are reinforced with mesh wire gauge to resist the blow out. Sheet jointing of pure exfoliated graphite are reinforced with a central layer of 0.1mm thick tanged stainless steel to give them extra strength for easy of handling and fitting. In these gaskets the graphite is compressed onto the perforated metal sheet to give a secure mechanical lock without adhesive. Extra strength to such sheets is also given by bonding a central layer of stainless steel or nickel foils. Corrugated metallic
Corrugated metallic gaskets have a corrugated metal core (normally stainless steel), with expanded graphite facings. They are used for standard pipeline duties, and heat exchangers. Spiral wound gaskets
Spiral wound gaskets are manufactured from V-shaped metal strips, spirally wound with an inlay of soft filler material between each turn. They form a very effective seal when compressed between two flanges. A V-shaped crown centered in the metal strip acts as a spring, giving gaskets greater resiliency under varying conditions. Filler and metal strip material can be changed to accommodate different chemical compatibility requirements. When spiral winding only (containing preformed metal and soft filler material) is used as a gasket, inner and outer diameters of winding are reinforced with several plies of metal without filler to give them greater stability. A spiral wound gasket may include a centering ring, an inner ring or both. The outer centering ring centers the gasket within the flange and acts as a compression limiter. The inner ring provides additional radial strength. The inner ring also reduces flange erosion and protects the sealing element. These gaskets are widely used in refineries, chemical processing plants, power generation, and a variety of valve and specialty applications. Spiral wound gaskets may be used in place of solid metal oval or octagonal API ring joint gaskets when their gasket groove is badly worn out. The spiral wound gasket industry is currently adapting to a change in the specification covering spiral wound gaskets. Previously API 601, the new specification is ASME B16.20. These specifications are very similar. Gasket identification markings required by ASME B16.20 are as under.
Note: Garlock makes spiral wound gaskets by Controlled Density process Computerized manufacturing process which ensures that optimum filler density is constant across gasket winding for consistent compression and superior sealability. In such gaskets, high tightness level is achieved with minimal compressive load, for longer-lasting seal. Metallic gaskets: They can be fabricated from a single metal or a combination of metallic materials in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are suitable for high temperature and pressure applications. Higher loads are required to seat these gaskets. Types include: Ring type joints, lens rings, and welded gaskets. Ring type gasket
The solid metal gasket provides an excellent mechanical joint and has almost universal acceptance in the oil, petroleum and chemical processing industries where high mechanical and thermal performance is required. The type R oval configuration is the original ring joint design and was followed by the type R octagonal which offered more specific sealing contact areas. Details of these joints are given in ASME B 16.20 and API 6A standards. The gaskets sit in a recess in the flange face having 23 angled walls. The RX joints are an unequal bevel octagonal ring, and are considered to be a pressure energized or pressure-assisted seal. The BX is also octagonal, though shorter in profile and designed to go into a recess that comes metal-to-metal when the flanges are tightened. These are used on very high pressure flanges up to 20,000 p.s.i. rating. Gasket metal should be selected to suit the service conditions and should have hardness lower than the flange metal. Lens Rings
They are widely used in high pressure applications and are resistant to overstressing. They are manufactured in accordance with DIN 2696 PN 64 to 400 and DN 10 to 300. Weld ring gaskets
They are suitable for critical applications where a leak-proof joint is essential. Sealing is achieved by welding the two gasket halves together.Note: Many varieties of gasket are made by different manufacturers. Only basic types are covered here (for example, varieties of metal jacketed gaskets are single jacketed open type, single jacketed with outside edge open, single jacketed with inside edge open, single jacketed totally enclosed, double jacketed, corrugated double jacketed, corrugated double jacketed with metal filler, etc.). For more information, please refer to manufacturer s Product Range Manuals.