Gaskets are mechanical seals that can fill the spaces between two or more surfaces and prevent them from any leakage incidents. These functionalities of the gaskets alone make them beneficial for a lot of commercial and industrial applications.
A lot of equipment and components that utilise gaskets are made from metals. However, several applications maximise non-metallic materials and devices. Gaskets intended for non-metallic applications must be able to resist pressure and prevent chemicals, fuels, and other substances from leaking in or flowing out. They must also resist corrosion, chemicals, and other elements that might damage them throughout their operations.
Fortunately, there are a lot of material options that can be used as gaskets for non-metallic applications. Most of these materials can effectively withstand the elements that have been previously mentioned.
Fibre
Fibre gaskets are mainly composed of natural cellulose that is infused with different types of materials such as rubber, insulating fibre, synthetic fibre, and vulcanised fibre. Fibre gaskets are suitable for non-metallic applications that have low to medium temperatures and pressures.
Ethylene Propylene
One type of synthetic elastomer is known as ethylene propylene. This type of gaskets is recommended for applications revolving corrosive and hydraulic fluids. They can likewise work under severe weather conditions. This type of gaskets, however, is not suitable for applications that involve oils and fuels.
Mica
Mica gaskets are comprised of phlogopite mica paper that is waterproofed with a silicone binder. This type of gaskets is recognised for its good temperature resistance, making it suitable for high-temperature applications. Mica gaskets can be utilised in gas turbines and heat exchangers.
Nitrile
Another material that is part of the elastomer family is nitrile. Nitrile gaskets boast excellent resistance to petroleum products, hydrocarbons, and solvents. They can also effectively withstand tear and abrasion. Nitrile gaskets can be maximised by aerospace, military & defence, and petrochemical industries.
Neoprene
Neoprene gaskets are made from synthetic rubber that can be effective in applications involving water, oil, and other solvents. This type of gaskets is believed to be durable, flexible, resilient, and resistant to compression. They can likewise withstand combustion and extreme weather conditions.
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that can effectively resist chemicals and extreme temperatures. This type of gaskets is typically used in food processing, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and electrical applications.
Polyurethane
The material polyurethane is a type of polymer that can give superior load-bearing properties, wear resistance, and rebound capabilities. Gaskets out of this material can easily resist the damaging effects of oxygen, ozone, and grease, which makes them suitable for machine mounts and electrical equipment.
Silicone
Gaskets that are made from silicone are common today since they can effectively work under high temperatures. They likewise do not react with sunlight and ozone, making them great for outdoor use. Silicone gaskets are typically utilised in food processing and medical applications.
All these mentioned gaskets are great for non-metallic applications. For more information about non-metallic gaskets, just give us a call at Gasketech.
Gaskets are mechanical seals that can fill the space between two or more mating surfaces. These hardware devices are typically installed between two objects so that they can prevent any leakage from or into the objects while they are under compression. They can also effectively cover irregularities and increase the sealing ability of the materials.
Different industries utilise the benefits and capabilities of various types of gaskets. One industry that maximises these hardware devices is the petrochemical or oil and gas industry. This industry typically uses equipment and devices that process oil, gas, water, and many other elements. Any erroneous leaks by these elements can easily affect the operations of the industry. And so, it would only be necessary for the said industry to maximise gaskets for safer and more secure overall operations.
To help you out, here are some of the most common types of gaskets for oil and gas applications.
Non-Asbestos Gaskets
Non-asbestos gaskets are typically made from organic fibres, aramid fibres, nitrile rubber (NBR), and mineral fibres. They are created with full-face flanges that boast elastomeric properties. Most of these gaskets have high chemical resistance, great compressibility, and a reasonable amount of recovery property if they are not overstressed. These gaskets are typically applied in low-pressure and low-temperature applications, but they can also be used on applications that require chemical resistance.
Envelope Gaskets
Another type of gaskets that are being maximised for oil and gas applications is envelope gaskets. These gaskets can possess either double jacketed gaskets or an envelope of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with an inlay. These gaskets are primarily used as a flange gasket for applications that require high-chemical and high-pressure resistance. They do not, however, have a reasonable amount of compression or recovery. They do not also hold up to radial shear during high-temperature fluctuations.
Ring Type Joint Gaskets
Ring type joint gaskets, alternatively, are machined precisely so that they can be applicable for high-pressure and high-temperature applications. They are normally made from soft stainless steel gasket materials. However, they should be replaced every use due to deformation in their flanges. These gaskets usually come in oval or octagonal shapes, which can be useful for API 6A applications. Some other types of ring joint gaskets must be created in strict accordance with API 17D and ASME B16.20.
Flat Metal Gaskets
Flat metal gaskets are typically made from a stainless steel core and do not have any filler material. Some other flat metal gaskets can likewise be fabricated from aluminium, copper, pure iron, titanium, and others. They can come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. These gaskets are used in applications that have low criticality, low compressibility, and low recovery. They are not, however, recommended for applications that have both high temperature and pressure.
Spiral Wound Gaskets
Spiral wound gaskets with an inner ring are great for all pressure ratings of pipe flanges. These gaskets are also recommended for heat exchangers due to their sealing ability tolerances, making them great for other high-pressure and high-temperature applications. They also have more compressibility and recovery. The inner ring of these gaskets is usually made from stainless steel, while the outer ring is made from carbon steel.
If you want to know more gaskets for oil and gas applications, feel free to contact us at Gasketech. We manufacture and supply gaskets, washers, extrusions, and mouldings for all types of industries.