• 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 types of gaskets.

    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 solvents, or where exposure to ozone, oxygen or sunlight is prominent.
    BS 1154 Grades Z40, Z50, Z60, Z70, Z80

    Neoprene (Chloroprene, CR)

    Excellent resistance to oils, ozone and weathering. Suitable for moderate acids, alkalis, salt solutions, petroleum, solvents, oils and fuels. It is not recommended for strong acids or hydrocarbons.
    BS 2752 Grades C40, C50, C60, C70, C80

    Nitrile (NBR)

    Improved chemical resistance and temperature capabilities over neoprene. Good resistance to hydrocarbons and oils. Not suitable for chlorinated hydrocarbons, esters, ketones and strong oxidizing agents.
    BS 2751 Grades BA40, BA50, BA60, BA70, BA80, BA90
    BS 6996 Grades BO60, BO80

    Silicone

    Excellent temperature properties, and unaffected by ozone and sunlight. Not suitable for many hydrocarbons and steam.

    Styrene Butadiene (SBR)

    Suitable for use with weak organic acids and moderate chemicals. Not suitable for strong acids, most hydrocarbons or ozone.

    Fibrous Materials

    Aramid

    Aromatic amide fibre, offering high strength and stability, with medium temperature suitability. Raw fibres can fibrillate.

    Asbestos

    Since the 1890’s, the most common material used for sealing flanges, because of its ability to seal effectively over a broad range of service conditions. Now increasingly replaced by asbestos-free substitutes (mandatory in many locations).

    ‘Asbestos’ is the term applied collectively to various classes of fibrous minerals used in the industry characterized by their resistance to heat, strength and flexibility of their fibres. Chrysotile (white) asbestos is by far the most important variety. It is a hydrated silicate of magnesium. It may also contain small traces of aluminium and iron, and dependent on the quantities of these traces the colour of chrysotile asbestos in the crude rock form varies from pure white to greyish-green. Individual chrysotile asbestos fibres are silky and very flexible with a diameter smaller than that of any synthetic fibre.

    Asbestos is incombustible and is a poor conductor of heat. It is unaffected by temperatures up to approximately 450 deg. C, when it begins to lose its chemically combined ‘water of crystallisation’; this process is completed at about 700 deg. C, but the residue which remains fibrous, does not fuse until temperatures of 1450-1500 deg. C are reached.

    Asbestos is inert and is not toxic to touch, smell or ingestion. Asbestos fibre is not a health hazard unless its dust becomes airborne and such dust is continuously inhaled in large amounts over a prolonged period. Chrysotile fibres are the least harmful of all varieties of asbestos due to their curvi-linear nature. International Labor Organization (ILO) has recommended not to use Crocidolite (blue asbestos) variety of asbestos fibres, which is the most harmful due to its needle like structure.

    Carbon Fibre

    High thermal conductivity ensures rapid heat dissipation and allows high temperature capability (except in oxidizing atmospheres). It has wide chemical resistance and may be used in the pH range 0 – 14. It is not suitable for oxidizing environments.

    Cellulose

    Natural fibre, suitable for low temperature and medium pressure applications. Raw fibres can fibrillate.

    Glass

    Inorganic complex of metal silicates. It offers good strength and moderate chemical resistance. Suitable for medium to high temperature applications. The fibres do not fibrillate.

    Man Made Mineral Fibre (MMMF)

    Also referred to as “mineral wool”. Inorganic fibres consisting of metal silicates, with a wide range of diameters. Suitable for medium to high temperature applications. Fibres do not fibrillate.

    Other Materials

    Flexible Graphite

    Following processing into its exfoliated form, the material is essentially pure graphite, typically over 95% elemental carbon. The material has a wide chemical resistance. It is suitable for exceptionally wide temperature range from up to 400 deg. C in oxidizing environments and under certain circumstances, to 2500° deg. C in inert conditions. It has excellent resistance to stress relaxation, even at elevated temperatures.

    Mica (Vermiculite)

    Naturally occurring, complex aluminium silicates, characterized by laminar morphology and near-perfect basal cleavage. The structure possesses a high degree of flexibility, elasticity and toughness. Excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance.

    Cork

    It compresses readily with negligible lateral flow, recovers speedily, and is relatively inert. It lacks flexibility and mechanical strength.

    PTFE

    Extremely wide chemical resistance (PTFE is attacked only by molten alkali metals and fluorine gas), with excellent anti-stick and dielectric properties. Material has high compressibility, which allows it to conform well to flange surface irregularities. Easy to handle. Low permeability. Extremely low coefficient of friction. Susceptible to degradation by radiation. It can be prone to relaxation and creep

    Metallic Materials

    Various metallic materials used for making gasket are:  Carbon steel, 316, 316L, 304, 304L, 321, 347, 410, Titanium, Alloy 600, Alloy 625, Alloy 800, Alloy 825, Alloy 200, Alloy 400, Alloy B2, Alloy C276, Alloy 20, Alloy x-750, Aluminium and Copper.

    Standard Classification for Non-metallic Gasket Materials

    ASTM Designation F104 provides a means for specifying or describing pertinent properties of commercial non-metallic gasket materials. Materials composed of asbestos, cork, cellulose, and other nonasbestos materials in combination with various binders or fillers are included.
    Materials normally classified as rubber compounds are covered in Method D2000.

    Types of Gaskets

    Depending on construction, gaskets can be classified into three main types:

    • Soft (non-metallic)
    • Semi-metallic
    • Metallic

    The mechanical characteristics and performance capabilities of these categories will vary extensively depending on the type of gasket selected and the materials from which it is manufactured.

    Soft Gaskets (non-metallic)

    Often they are composite sheet materials, suitable for a wide range of general and corrosive chemical applications. Generally they are limited to low to medium pressure applications. They are available either in sheet form or as gaskets cut accurately to any reasonable shape and size.
    Types include: Elastomers, compressed asbestos fibre (“CAF”), asbestos-free (non-asbestos) compressed fibre materials, graphite, PTFE, cork, mica, etc.

    Elastomer (Rubber) Sheet Gaskets

    Elastomers are incompressible, extensible, highly impermeable and elastic.

    Incompressible—can be deformed, but can never be reduced in volume.
    Extensible—can be assembled over a projection or shoulder and snap tightly within a groove.
    Highly impermeable—can serve as a tight barrier against the passage of gases or liquids.
    Elastic—little flange pressure required to effect intimate contact with gasket, allowing it to move with the flange surfaces, always maintaining a seal.

    Elastomer gaskets are used for relatively low pressure applications as at high seating stresses a rubber gasket may extrude from between the flanges. They are available in a wide range of specification (premium) grades for industrial and military requirements as well as “commercial” grades for general purpose applications.

    Neoprene sheets are widely used as gasket material.

    For ready reference physical properties of premium grade (ASTM) rubber gaskets made by Garlock are reproduced below.


    Material EPDM Neoprene Neoprene Neoprene Nitrile SBR Fluoro-elastomer
    (Type A)
    Fluoro-elastomer
    (Type A)
    Fluoro-elastomer
    Blend
    Style 8314 7986 7797 9064 9122 22 9518 9520 9780
    Hardness
    (Shore A) ± 5
    60 60 80 60 60 75 75 75 65-75
    Tensile strength,
    min. (ASTM D412),
    psi (N/mm2)
    1,000 (7) 2,000 (14) 1,500 (10) 2,400 (17) 2,000 (14) 700 (5) 1000 (7) 1,000 (7) 1200 (8)
    Elongation, min., % 300 350 125 790 500 150 175 180 175
    Compression set,
    ASTM Method B (ASTM D395) 25% deflection, maximum %
    22 hrs @158°F (70°C) 25 70 hrs @212°F (100°C) 35 70 hrs @212°F (100°C) 75 - 22 hrs @212°F (100°C) 20 22 hrs @158°F (70°C) 40 - 22 hrs @350°F (175°C) 50 -
    Temperature range, °F (°C) -40°F (-40°C) to +300°F(+150°C) -20°F (-29°C) to +250°F(+121°C) -20°F (-29°C) to +250°F(+121°C) -20°F (-29°C) to +250°F(+121°C) -20°F (-29°C) to +250°F(+121°C) -10°F (-23°C) to +200°F(+93°C) -15°F (-26°C) to +400°F(+204°C) -15°F (-26°C) to +400°F(+204°C) -15°F (-26°C) to +400°F(+204°C)
    Pressure, max., psig (bar) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17) 250 (17)
    P x T max.,
    psi x °F (bar x °C)
    30,000 (900) 20,000 (600) 20,000 (600) 20,000 (600) 20,000 (600) 20,000 (600) 30,000 (900) 30,000 (900) 30,000 (900)

     

    Typical physical properties of Commercial grade Neoprene (made by James Walker brand number 264 C) is as under.

    Hardness, IRHD: 55 to 70
    Density, Mg/m3: 1.4 ±0.2
    Tensile strength, MPa: 5
    Elongation at break, %: 200
    Operating temperature range: –20 deg. C to +100 deg. C.

    Insertion Sheets

    Elastomer sheet is called insertion sheet when it is reinforced by a cloth / fabric to give it additional strength and resistance to spread under compression.

    Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer FFKM by DuPont

    This high performance elastomeric material made by DuPont combines the resilience and sealing ability of rubber with almost universal chemical resistance and temperature capabilities up to 316° C. Various grades of Kalrez® are available for critical and/or high purity sealing applications.

    Compressed Asbestos Fibre (“CAF”) Sheets

    Historically, compressed asbestos fibre sheet material has been the material of choice for “soft” gasket materials. It is regarded as easy to use and very tolerant of abuse, for which it is recognized as very “forgiving”. The material is used to seal almost all common applications, and usually gave reasonable performance. Jointing sheets are manufactured by calendering process in which the mixture of asbestos fibre, filler and binder is compressed between two rollers under load. The overall characteristics are influenced by asbestos quality and the nature of binder (usually elastomer). Tensile strength of the material depends on length of asbestos fibre and chemical properties are decided by type of binder. They are available either in sheet form or as gaskets cut accurately to any reasonable shape and size.

    Compressed Asbestos-free (non-asbestos) Fibre Sheets

    More recently, with the tendency away from the use of asbestos fibres, a new generation of non asbestos fibre jointing material substitutes has been developed by the sealing industry. The sheets are made by calendaring process typically using carbon, glass and aramid or a mixture of these fibres. Overall, these new materials can outperform their asbestos equivalent, but are usually less forgiving and handling of these materials require more care. The maximum temperature capabilities are however slightly reduced compared to asbestos. For a given material, the maximum temperature limit also reduces with increasing thickness. In view of this wherever possible use the thinnest gasket.

    Graphite Sheets

    Graphite sheets contain more than 95% pure exfoliated graphite. An Ultra High Purity (99.8%) grade is available for nuclear industry applications. More care is required in handling and storage of these sheets as they get easily damaged.

    PTFE Sheets

    PTFE is generally used because of its outstanding chemical resistance. As it can be prone to relaxation and creep, filled grades are often employed to overcome some of these effects. Fillers are also used to improve wear resistance and thermal conductivity. Glass fibre, graphite, molybdenum disulphide, bronze, etc. are used as filler materials. They are widely used for food and pharmaceutical service.

    Tape / Cord Expanded PTFE (also known as joint sealant)

    Usually on a spool or roll, this high compression material is very flexible and is available with adhesive on one side to aid installation. The material can be rolled out onto the flange mating surface, cut off, overlapped and compressed between the flanges. It is often referred to as “form in place”, an ideal do-it-yourself gasket material for easy field installation. Generally used for less severe pressures and temperatures, especially where flanges are lightly loaded or of relatively flimsy construction.

    Cork / Corkelastomer Sheets

    Elastomer-bonded cork sheets are generally used as cork lacks flexibility and mechanical strength. They are mainly used on low pressure duties such as oil covers (transformers) and applications where the available bolting is relatively low (on glass, porcelain, etc.). Their expanded nature is also found beneficial in inhibiting the transmission of noise and machinery vibration and are used for air ducts in air conditioning. Many grades are available for covering applications in electrical (high voltage switchgear), marine, aerospace (aircraft fueling equipment), automobile and mechanical engineering.

    Semi-metallic Gaskets

    They are composite gaskets consisting of both metallic and non-metallic materials. The metal generally provides the strength and resilience to the gasket. They are suitable for both low and high temperature and pressure applications.
    Common types are: Kammprofile, metal eyelet, metal jacketed, metal reinforced soft gaskets (tanged graphite, wire reinforced compressed asbestos fibre materials, etc.), corrugated metallic and spiral wound gaskets.

    Kammprofile

    Kammprofile  

    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

    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-asbestos fibre materials. However they are more commonly used with expanded graphite. The region beneath the bead receives greater compression due to the thickness of the metal and thus is more highly stressed than the rest of the joint. This additional compression is more easily achieved with graphite than with other materials. Other advantages of this construction are as under.

    • Anti blow-out giving extra safety.
    • Provides extra strength to the gasket, making it easier to handle and assemble.
    • Non contamination of the medium from the gasket material, for example – graphite.
    • Prevents erosion at high velocities.
    Metal Jacketed

    Metal Jacketed 

    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 

    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 

    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.
    .

    Spiral Wound Gasket Identification Markings

    These gaskets are generally used for higher temperatures and pressures. A variety of metals are available for the winding strip as well as for the support rings for different temperature application as under.


    Material Minimum Maximum Abbreviation
    °F °C °F °C
    304 Stainless Steel -320 -195 1,400 760 304
    316L Stainless Steel -150 -100 1,400 760 316L
    317L Stainless Steel -150 -100 1,400 760 317L
    321 Stainless Steel -320 -195 1,400 760 321
    347 Stainless Steel -320 -195 1,700 925 347
    Carbon Steel -40 -40 1,000 540 CRS
    20Cb-3 (Alloy 20) -300 -185 1,400 760 A-20
    HASTELLOY® B 2 -300 -185 2,000 1,090 HAST B
    HASTELLOY® C 276 -300 -185 2,000 1,090 HAST C
    INCOLOY® 800 -150 -100 1,600 870 IN 800
    INCOLOY® 825 -150 -100 1,600 870 IN 825
    INCONEL® 600 -150 -100 2,000 1,090 INC 600
    INCONEL® 625 -150 -100 2,000 1,090 INC 625
    INCONEL® X750 -150 -100 2,000 1,090 INX
    MONEL® 400 -200 -130 1,500 820 MON
    Nickel 200 -320 -195 1,400 760 NI
    Titanium -320 -195 2,000 1,090 TI

    Material used for filler strips are as under.

    Material Minimum Maximum Abbreviation
    °F °C °F °C
    Ceramic -350 -212 2,000 1,090 CER
    Flexible Graphite -350 -212 950 510 F.G.
    PTFE -400 -240 500 260 PTFE
    Verdicarb (Mica Graphite) -350 -212 350 175 VC

    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. Common types are: Ring type joints, lens rings, and welded gaskets.

    Ring Type Gasket

    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 becomes 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

    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

    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.

    Acknowledgement:

    Information and pictures from websites of Garlock and James Walker are used in this article. For more information please refer their websites.

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