Gaskets are used in piping to act as static seals between two or more flanges. They prevent leaks from occurring through the pipes. There are several gaskets for different pipes and different levels of pressure running through the pipes. When you are choosing the type of gasket to use, consider various factors such as type, quality or pressure. This post will explore the different types of gaskets and their uses, respectively.

PTFE Gaskets

Polytetrafluoroethylene Gaskets are used in areas that contain chemical substances like acids and bases. They are highly tolerant to corrosion and can withstand temperatures as high as 240 degrees, similar to the EPDM rubber gasket. This makes them a go-to for industrial areas working with chemicals. They keep gases and liquids with high pressure from leaking. 

Sheet Gaskets

These are made from two materials, mostly metallic and non-metallic. The non-metallic gaskets are made from non-asbestos materials, cork, or rubber. These are mainly used to prevent gases and liquids from leaking. The metallic ones are made from materials like stainless steel. These are used for highly pressurized containers due to their ability to resist and withstand a lot of energy without breaking.

Spiral Wound Gaskets

Spiral wound gaskets are commonly used in industrial plants because of their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures throughout their intended lifespan. They consist of three main areas: the inner, outer, and the sealant. The outer ring is used as a centering or guide ring during installation, and the inner ring is used to keep the entire gasket in place; it is also known as the pivotal ring. The sealant is the main section used to seal the intended section.

Ring Gaskets

Ring or full-face gaskets cover areas with high temperatures and pressure. They are mostly made out of compressible materials like graphite or a combination of metal and one of these materials. Other substitutes include cork, rubber, and non-asbestos. Ring gaskets cover the flung face, ultimately ensuring no leakages, compared to the sheet gaskets, these are a better option.

Beaded Gaskets

Beaded gaskets are a concept that uses rubber beads on the gasket to improve the sealability provided. This helps a lot when it comes to issues like replacing flanges. It works by concentrating the sealing aspect around areas that have been beaded, improving overall performance and removing the need to upgrade some of the flanges. The beads increase surface pressure and evens out irregularities.

Camprofile Gaskets

Camprofile or Grooved gaskets are primarily used in power plants and primary circuits in nuclear installations. They can be used without Sealing layers, but adding one greatly improves its ability. It is used in high-pressurized flanges with high temperatures. They are great due to their ability to resist high heat levels.

Metal Jacketed Gaskets

Metal jacketed gaskets have filler materials, mostly graphite, covered by a metallic coat. The filler material fills the gap as the outer metal coat withstands the pressure build-up. They are primarily used in boilers and heat chambers with immense pressure. Basic metal-coated gaskets are enough for flanges with narrow holes and high pressure.

Graphite Gaskets

Graphite is naturally resistant to high pressure and heat, making it a perfect gasket material. Graphite gaskets are available in two forms: one made from graphite and one with a metal coating. The metal coating provides additional rigidity to the gasket, increasing its sealability.

Cork Gaskets

Cork is easily accessible in most environments, making it a cheap substitute for lids and general container covers. The size of these gaskets highly depends on the manufacturing process and granules used in making them. Due to their weak nature, these are generally used in flanges with little pressure. They are commonly used on wine bottles and oil dispensers. 

Food Quality Gaskets

These gaskets are used in food processing industries in machines and some in packaging. They are made out of rubber materials like non-asbestos and silicone. They are taste-free and have little to no microbial growth. Their strength depends on the material used to make them.

Be sure to thoroughly research the type of gasket depending on the intended use. Consider choosing reliable suppliers because low-quality gaskets will prevent leaks poorly. Work with a budget but do not sacrifice quality for cheaper gaskets. Preventing leaks in your home or commercial space combats several damages such as molds or high utility bills due to, let’s say water lost through the leaks. One more instance could be the sewer line. If the pipes leak, the leakage would be health hazardous to the people around the pipes. Therefore, you should get gaskets from reliable suppliers and let them install them for you. You must ensure the gasket is compatible with the fluid running through the pipes to prevent corrosion.