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.

Sealing two mating surfaces is typically done by gaskets. These mechanical seals can easily prevent any type of leak from going in and out of the joined objects while under varying levels of compression. One of the objects that can be joined by gaskets is flanges.

Two gaskets that boast great features for sealing materials like flanges are ring-type and full-face gaskets. Each of these gaskets has its own set of features and advantages that can make one of them recommended for certain applications.

Ring-Type Gaskets

Ring-type gaskets do not have any bolt holes, making them suitable for raised face flanges. Raised face flanges are the most common type of flanges that are maximised in process plants. The gasket surfaces of these flanges are raised above the bolting circle face, allowing them to use a wide variety of gasket types and designs. This type of flange can effectively divert more pressure on a smaller gasket area. As the pressure increases in the given area, the pressure containment capability of the joint then increases.

The installation of the ring-type gaskets is simple. They are typically installed inside of the flange bolts and around the pipe bore. These gaskets can be effectively assembled right on top of the flange without taking the joint apart. The dimensions needed when purchasing ring-type gaskets are the inside diameter that matches the pipe bore, the outside diameter that complements the flange face’s outside diameter, and the thickness of the whole gasket.

One great thing about ring-type gaskets is that they require less material for them to be fabricated. Additionally, they require less cutting. 

Full-Face Gaskets

Most applications that utilise flat face flanges are related to the mating flange that is made from a casting. The positioning of the gasket surface and the bolting circle face of this flange type allows full-face gaskets to fully cover the entire face of the flange, which then eliminates the need for the flanges to be bolted to a raised face flange. The use of full-face gaskets for flat face flanges allows them to be sealed tightly.

Covering the entire face of the flange means that the full-face gaskets will certainly possess the flange’s outer diameter measurement. All necessary holes that will secure the bolts can also be found on this type of gasket, ensuring that the gasket positioning will be much easier. The number of the bolt holes, the bolt circle diameter, thickness, pressure tolerance, and the inside and outside diameters are often requested when requesting for full-face gaskets.

Full-face gaskets can be installed easily due to the presence of bolt holes. The joint, however, should be disassembled first before installing the gaskets. The interior and exterior diameters of the gaskets, as well as the spacing between bolt holes and the flange, must be correct to maximise these gaskets. If you want to know more about these types of gaskets, feel free to contact us at Gasketech. We manufacture and supply gaskets, washers, extrusions, and mouldings for all types of industries.

Gaskets play an important role in machines and other types of assemblies. They help seal the space between two or mating surfaces, preventing any instance of leakage from or into the closed gap. Without these gaskets, it would be difficult for the industries to perform critical activities continuously and safely.

While almost all assemblies are installed with pre-specified gaskets, the need to change them can be inevitable in the long run. Pre-specified gaskets may seem to still work but considering alternative gaskets could be much more recommended to the changing needs of a facility or processing plant. These gaskets may not also longer work or are failing with your current assembly or application. The need to save resources may have also come into play, opting for the industry to go for more sustainable gaskets.

So, if you intend to upgrade or change your pre-specified gaskets due to some of the previously mentioned reasons, then here are some important things that you need to consider and think about.

Gasket Specifications

Before purchasing your new set of alternative gaskets, it is much recommended for you to determine the specifications of your existing pre-specified gaskets. These specifications can help you look for an alternative set of gaskets that are close to your actual needs, despite some minor but crucial changes to some of their elements. Knowing the specifications of your pre-specified gaskets also helps you compare gasket specifications from different manufacturers and pick out the ones that can fit your needs. One best way to cross-reference gaskets is through their line callout numbers.

Installation Parameters

Another thing that you must consider before upgrading or changing your pre-specified gaskets is your installation parameters. There might be times where the capabilities of your pre-specified gaskets have been restricted by the flange stress design. The different manufacturing procedures of the materials used in an assembly may likewise contribute to the limiting capabilities of the pre-specified gaskets. These installation factors and parameters may have contributed to the restrictions of the gaskets to perform their tasks. Given this fact, additional training may be required to guarantee the safe installation of new gaskets.

Application Changes

Knowing all application changes that have occurred within the system must also be considered in changing your pre-specified gaskets. There might be some new equipment that has been installed on the main processing line. Some insulating jackets may have also cooled or increased the temperature of the system. With these elements, your system pressure or temperature may change. And if these minor changes are not reported on the master process flow chart, most people will most likely overlook them. When installing alternative gaskets, these application changes must be considered to avoid problems.

Upgrade Assessment

One activity that must be done before upgrading your gaskets is to assess system elements that may change when doing the upgrade. You must know if upgrading your gaskets can truly improve the service life of your system and equipment. You must also determine the changes that these gaskets may bring to your system temperature or pressure. Changes in the process fluid or to the operating conditions must also be assessed when changing your gaskets. Narrowing down your material options, as well as reviewing the published data of your gaskets, must be done once all these elements are assessed fully. Considering these things when upgrading or changing your pre-specified gaskets can help you choose the right alternative gasket for your system. These things can also help you improve the overall functionality of your assembly as well as save significant resources.

Gaskets are fabricated to effectively join objects together as well as close space or gap between them. They likewise do not allow destructive or deteriorating elements to penetrate the mating surfaces so that machine or equipment parts will not get damaged or destroyed.

A lot of industries maximise the mentioned functionalities of gaskets, particularly on their machine or equipment. These industries include chemical processing, power generation, mining, aerospace, oil, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and many more.

Importance of Weather Resistant Gaskets

The effectiveness of the gaskets used in the mentioned industries will still depend on the condition of their applications and surroundings. Tools, machines, and equipment that are exposed to varying weather elements and outdoor temperatures must be equipped with weather resistant gaskets.

The gaskets required for most outdoor applications must be able to resist extreme temperatures that may be present on the surroundings due to sunlight exposure or cold weather. Other weather elements such as wind, atmospheric pressure, and humidity must also be prevented effectively by gaskets so that all machines or equipment will not get damaged amidst being exposed to these elements.

Best Weather Resistant Gasket Materials

Given the importance of weather resistant gaskets, here are some of the best materials that you must find for your gaskets.

Fluoroelastomer, which is also known as Viton®, is a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber that can effectively withstand the damaging effects of extreme temperatures, surroundings elements, and chemicals. Even after a long time of use, gaskets that are made from this material can effectively work with temperatures that range from -10° C to 260° C. Additionally, they can also work in applications that are exposed to fuels, mineral oil or acids, and synthetic hydraulic fluids. Harmful effects of the sun, oxygen, ozone, fungus, and mould can be effectively deflected by fluoroelastomer gaskets.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that is best known for its flexibility and resistance to chemical products, heat, and electricity. This specific material is also non-stick, which makes it great for fabricating gaskets. Gaskets made from this material can easily withstand temperatures between -200° C to 260° C, which is great for industrial processing and even commercial use. Moisture, which is one of the primary elements that initiate corrosion, cannot likewise damage and penetrate the surface of PTFE gaskets and their joined objects.

Graphite is a form of carbon that is truly strong and inert. It can also easily resist extreme temperature and pressure, making this material suitable in making gaskets. The resistance of graphite gaskets against extreme temperatures allows them to be used in applications that are exposed to weather elements. Moreover, the formation of carbon atoms on these gaskets allows them to close the gaps between the products, preventing damaging elements from penetrating key machine components. Other benefits of graphite gaskets include exceptional mechanical strength and low creep under temperature or pressure.

Getting your gaskets out of these materials can help you maintain the operations of your machine or equipment amidst different weather elements. As long as the gaskets can withstand the effects of varying temperatures and pressures, you can easily expect your activities to be done optimally without the need to maintain and repair them all the time.

Just like any other type of fasteners or sealing solutions, gaskets can become unusable after reaching their maximum lifespan. One reason behind this phenomenon is due to the material used. Gaskets can be made from ethylene propylene, butyl, nitrile, natural rubber, silicone, and many more. Some of these materials only last for around 3 to 5 years. Others, alternatively, can last up to 20 years.

The service life of gaskets tends to decrease more as they get exposed to various damaging elements. Moreover, improper storage of gaskets can also contribute to the lowered lifespan of gaskets. 

Whatever type of material that is used for your gaskets, it is still important for them to be stored and used appropriately so they can reach or even go beyond their maximum service life. Here are some ways that can help you maximise their service life.

Control Light Exposure

There are gasket materials that can endure the effects of light exposure. Other gaskets, on the other hand, can wear and get damaged very quickly once they are directly exposed to strong sunlight or artificial light. And so, for safety purposes, you may want to store and use gaskets in applications that do not receive powerful light exposure. One material that must not be exposed under light is rubber.

Prevent Oxygen Exposure

Aside from light exposure, the service life of various gaskets is also affected by the oxygen that surrounds them. Rubber gaskets can disintegrate and deteriorate swiftly whenever they are exposed to oxygen and ozone, which are both enhanced as they interact with nearby electric motors, high-voltage electrical equipment, and mercury vapour lamps. A storage location that prevents rubber gaskets from being exposed to excessive oxygen and ozone levels is hugely suitable.

Maintain Relative Humidity

Wrong storage of gasket materials can also lead to their deterioration. Storage locations that are excessively moist or dry can dry out some gaskets, which subsequently make them brittle and fragile once they are used. For proper storage, the relative humidity levels must fall below 75% so that your gaskets can reach their maximum lifespan.

Regulate Temperature

Temperature can also affect the overall quality and service life of gaskets. The overall physical properties of some gasket materials tend to change whenever they are stored in extremely high or low temperatures. Storage locations that have high temperatures can damage some gaskets, while other types of gaskets become unusable whenever they are stored in freezing temperatures. Keeping the storage temperatures around 25°C is optimal for the preservation of gasket life.

Avoid Storage Mistakes

The way gaskets are stored can also affect the service life of gaskets. Stacking gaskets on top of each other can compress or elongate their materials. The same effect may happen if heavy things or equipment are placed on top of them. For proper storage, your gaskets must be separated based on their size, type, material, and grade. Their storage units must also be suitable for the gasket materials to make sure that they do not deteriorate. Following these things can help your gasket obtain much longer life. To know more about preserving gasket life, just give us a call at Gasketech.