A Gasket sheet is also known as gasket paper despite being made from a plethora of materials. It is a mechanical seal which fills the space between two or more mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the joined objects while under compression. Especially recommended when the mating surfaces are less than perfect where the gasket can fill any irregularities. It is so critical that the correct gasket material is selected to fit the needs of each individual application as the potential cost and safety implications of a faulty/leaking gasket can be astronomical and sometimes life threatening.
A customer came to me with an issue he was having. He had some compressors that were quite large and very old and were no longer being manufactured, so parts were rare and expensive. He complained that when the OEM gaskets were installed, they worked for less than a day, and then he would hear the constant “tic tic” sound of the leaking exhaust gas. This is one of those cases where the OEM was not offering any suggestions other than to buy a new compressor.
The original (OEM) gasket was some sort of fibre material with a rubber binder and then cladded with an outer layer of copper. Because of the age of the unit and the years of leaks, the leaking gas would have cut channels into the mating faces and the copper would be just not pliable enough to fill those voids and irregularities. Increasing the bolt torque did not help much as the damage was already done.
I recommended our Durlon Flexible Graphite material which is 100% pure graphite with no added rubber binders cladded onto a .002” thick Stainless-Steel material for support and handling. Graphite gaskets are frequently found in high temperature or pressure environments, or where hazardous chemicals must be sealed away. Example industries include petrochemicals and refineries, steam services and vibration damping.
The outer soft brittle layer of graphite was able to embed itself in the grooves and leak paths that were created. With no added rubber binders there was nothing to cure and get hard and brittle. The material was able to maintain its volume throughout the temperature range of the application. The only downside is that the gasket was so brittle it could not be re-used which in my opinion is a good thing..
Sourcing the best gasket for your application can sometimes seem daunting as there are so many technical details which need to be taken into consideration to ensure the best possible seal. We stock a wide range of gaskets for all your sealing applications. Give us all your requirements and we will provide you with the gasket that’s best suited for your needs.
Until next time, be safe in work and life.
