If you are working in manufacturing, auto, food processing, pharmaceutical, aerospace, medical, energy, construction or any other industrial sector, you mostly be aware of the role that a gasket plays in many aspects of this industry. Since its inception, rubber gaskets become critical component of industrial world & found its place in the industry. It also has come a long way in terms of technological development as well.
In this article, we will discuss more about gaskets, the applications of rubber gaskets as well as some of the most significant factors you should consider while designing one for your needs.
What is a Gasket?
A gasket in the most simple of terms can be defined as being a mechanical seal which can be used to fill the gap between two joints. The main purpose of using a gasket is to achieve a perfect seal between two mating components, which are not so perfect. Along with this, the use of a gasket also prevents the leakage of liquids and other materials into the mating surfaces and out from it, thus contributing to keeping the transfer of materials safe and secure. Gasket also provide effective solution for controlling & dampening vibrations, providing insulation, preventing electromagnetic interference (EMI), supporting mounts & reducing surrounding sound.
How Does a Gasket Work?
As you can understand from the definition of a gasket, its job seems quite simple however many times working condition as well as surrounding environment makes it very challenging. Its basic job is to provide robust seal between two mating surfaces in such a way so that there is no leakage whatsoever. Depending upon the material that is being used to make the gasket, it can be used to serve in many applications, the most common being sealing.
Today there are more than 1200 different materials from which gaskets are manufactured, and depending on your project, application & budgeting needs, you can choose any one of them. Among all the available gasket making materials, the most common are rubber, plastic, metal, cork, and hardened paper, etc..
Applications of Rubber Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are undoubtedly one of the most popular gasket in the industry. Thanks to the diverse properties & unique attributes that rubber brings to the table, a rubber gasket can be used to fulfill a variety of sealing needs and applications.
One application where rubber gaskets are most commonly used is the fluid transfer application. The pipes, hose or tubing that transport the fluid from one point to another are often connected by the use of rubber gaskets so that there is no leakage from the joints.
We can easily say that depending upon the type of gasket one is using, its application can be defined, but in most cases, it is used to safely transport fluids from one point to another without any spillage or leaks.
What Kind of Rubber Materials Can Be Used for Making a Gasket?
There are a variety of rubber materials available in the market that are used to make rubber gaskets. Some of the most significant ones are as mentioned below.
1. EPDM : EPDM offers excellent resistance for weathering, water and aging which makes it very popular elastomer for indoor as well as out door application.
2. Silicone Rubber : When you need gasket which can supports wide temperature range or complies in food & health environment or provide electrical insulation silicone is perfect choice for those gasket. It also offers excellent resistance to sunlight, ozone & radiation.
3.Buna-N or Nitrile Rubber: Buna N is a general-purpose rubber which has a temperature range of -65 to 300 degrees F and is most commonly used for making gaskets.
4. Fluorocarbon: After Buna N, this is the most common form of rubber that is used to make gaskets. Most commonly known as Viton in the industry, this is an all-purpose rubber that has a temperature range of -55 to 385 degrees F.
5. Neoprene: The third variety of rubber that is used to manufacture rubber gaskets is Neoprene, which has a low-temperature range and is mostly used in applications where extreme low-temperature conditions can be expected.
What Factors Need to Be Considered While Designing a Gasket?
Now that you know of the different types of rubbers that are used in the gasket manufacturing process, here are a few points to be consider while designing one for your needs.
1. Operating Condition: This is the first factor you need to look into when you sit down to design a gasket. Consider the type of weather and temperature range, your gasket will be exposed to in its lifetime because the wear and tear, as well as the shelf life of the gasket, will be dependent on this. Also needs to consider if there is operating pressure and any kind of movement and speed for sealing environment.
2. Machine Assembly: The second aspect to consider is where & why your gasket will be used. Will it be used to seal pipes together or seal enclosure or create air tight space or reduce vibration or insulate heat & noise or something else? Depending on the most specific application & location of gasket, its design & material specifications need to be changed.
3. What needs to be sealed: The third most important factor that you need to consider is the type of liquid, gas or chemical that the gasket will get exposed to. For example, designing gasket for sealing gas is difficult than a liquid. After determining temperature & pressure range it is very important to check chemical resistance of gasket material because it directly impacts structural & functional properties of gasket. Sometime temperature makes the fluids more aggressive which can adversely affect gasket performance.
We at Accurate Rubber Corporation are one of the premium manufacturers & supplier of rubber gasket & seal for all different needs. Please contact us today if you need more information about rubber gasket or have some project which requires rubber gasket or other rubber parts.