More about Gasket Material

Click here to find Gasket Material Manufacturers | Discuss Gasket Material & Other Topics

Materials used in gaskets and other joint sealing applications provide resistance to invasive gasses, liquids and/or particles. Typically, gasket materials are stable, inert and somewhat flexible synthetics that can withstand a variety of temperatures and pressures. Common materials used are polyurethane, Teflon (PTFE), polyester, and synthetic rubber. The consistency of these materials can range from pliable foam to rigid solids.

Polytetrafluroethylene, otherwise known as Teflon, is a polymer of fluorinated ethylene that has an extremely low friction coefficient and exceptional chemical resistance. Its major disadvantage is that it degrades at temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it unsuitable for high-temperature gasketing applications. Polyester and polyurethane are also synthetic polymers, and refer to a wide range of substances including polycarbonate and PET or urethanes, respectively. Certain liquid crystalline polyesters have exceptional heat resistance, and find use in high-temperature seals.

A wide variety of artificially fabricated rubber materials are available to gasket manufacturers. These materials are often made by polymerizing different monomers, such as isobutylene and isoprene. By altering the ingredients during production, manufacturers can produce rubber with a multitude of different properties. Silicone rubber, for example, is an inorganic polymer based on a silicon-oxygen chain. The basic polymer involved in silicon rubber combines two methyl groups with each silicon-oxygen group. The methyl provides flexibility, while the silicon-oxygen chain provides stability.

Gasket materials can be produced in an almost limitless range of thicknesses and sizes. They can be designed to create an air-tight or water-tight seal, depending on system requirements, and engineered to provide optimal performance for a variety of pressure ratings. Harder materials, such as graphite, metal and compressed carbon, are also used in gasket applications, as are fiberglass, cork and silica. Many of the woven materials available are simply press-fit into place, and easily cut to the appropriate length.