The manufacturing process of numerous industries relies on the ability of the gaskets in sealing the space between two or more mating surfaces and preventing any kind of leakage from or into the paired objects. Some of the industries that utilise different types of gaskets include power generation, chemical processing, mining, aerospace, oil & gas, food & beverage, military, and pharmaceutical.
Gaskets used to be made from asbestos as the material can resist steam, oil, water, pressure, and extreme temperatures. However, the health hazards and dangers of the said material prompted gasket manufacturers to look for an alternative and safer material. One of the materials used as a substitute for asbestos is fibre since it can directly match the abilities of the asbestos gaskets.
Fibre Gaskets Composition
Fibre gaskets, as the name implies, are made from fibre strands that are stretched and infused with a resin material. Once the strands and the resin material dry out, they form numerous sheets that can be easily moulded and shaped into gaskets.
To date, there are a wide variety of gaskets that a lot of industries use and maximise. Some fibre gaskets are made from cellulose, which can be further impregnated with rubber, insulating fibre, synthetic fibre, or vulcanized fibre. Others, however, can be made from either vegetable fibre or aramid. Most industries use gaskets out of vegetable fibres since they can be used in low pressure and low-temperature applications.
All the materials used in producing fibre gaskets have distinct strength, compressibility, and temperature ratings. These sets of properties can be enhanced by adding like cork or rubber bind into the gasket. Vulcanising the cellulose fibre material, alternatively, can make the gasket sturdy and lightweight.
The Role of Fibre Gaskets
Since fibre gaskets are made from different materials, their specific applications also vary. Fibre gaskets that are made from vegetable fibre and cellulose fibre with rubber can easily resist the damaging effects of oil, gasoline, and steam. Aramid fibre in NBR binder, on the other hand, is best used for high-temperature applications in a wide range of industries.
Just like any gaskets, fibre gaskets also prevent chemicals, oils, water, alcohol, grease, air, gasoline, and other elements from penetrating or leaving the surface of the combining objects. Their high mechanical strength and high-quality flexibility also allow them to perfectly fit components that are used in industrial, chemical, petroleum, petrochemical, and automotive industries without getting damaged. Any irregularities between mating surfaces are also fixed by the application of fibre gaskets. The materials used for fibre gaskets and their associated properties make them recommended for different sets of applications. For your fibre gasket needs, feel free to contact us at Gasketech.
Gaskets are sealing materials that can help close the gap, as well as fix any misalignment and uneven space between two or more flanges and objects. Many industries use gaskets since they can effectively prevent leaking and pressure loss that are frequently evident at the connection points of the objects. One material that is typically used in creating gaskets is rubber.
Rubber gaskets, which can be either natural or synthetic, are utilised by different manufacturing industries since they can prevent leaks of gas or liquid between two objects. Aside from leaks, rubber gaskets also protect the objects from getting damaged by elements such as moisture, dirt, and dust. Industries also use them as they can be cut or shaped into different sizes thanks to the elasticity of rubber materials.
For most electronic assemblies, manufacturers turn to rubber gaskets because of the following factors:
The Presence of International Protection Rating
The International Protection (IP) Rating or Ingress Protection Code of an electronic device or equipment usually tells its ability to prevent or shut off exterior elements like dirt, dust, and moisture from entering the enclosure or casing. Electronic assembles like phones, cameras, speakers, power supplies, outdoor lights, and even medical equipment have respective IP ratings for them to be functional under any conditions. Rubber gaskets can help some of these electronic assemblies in achieving their needed protection against liquid, dust, chemicals, and other damaging elements that may enter their components.
The Flexibility and Elasticity of Rubber Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are known for their flexibility and elasticity, which is why most electronic devices and equipment are equipped with this type of gasket. The overall composition of electronic devices varies from one object to another, and since rubber gaskets can be compressed easily, this makes manufacturers prefer them over other gasket materials. Additionally, various methods like rubber extrusion process, rubber injection moulding process, and compression moulding are all available in crafting rubber gaskets that are needed for sealing large areas of electronic assemblies.
Fitting Electronic Devices with Rubber Gaskets
Since electrical components have a different set of requirements, the needed sealing for them must also vary. Electronic devices must also operate under different conditions, which means the gaskets must be customised to effectively avert elements from entering and leaking. Fortunately, rubber gaskets can be made from different rubber types like neoprene and Viton and cutting methods. By identifying the elements that may be present on an electronic assembly, the manufacturer of the gasket can easily pick and choose the correct rubber material and process it with an appropriate cutting method. Electronic assemblies must have rubber gaskets that can protect them from damaging elements and help them prevent any instances of leaking. If you want to know more about rubber gaskets, feel free to call us at Gasketech.