Industries that utilise a different set of equipment pieces and machines should thoroughly maximise their performance without compromising safety. And as a guide, authorities and manufacturers have come up with a wide variety of guidelines just to maintain safe operations of an industrial plant or worksite.

There are numerous things that can be done to easily improve the safety of the workplace. First, employees must be provided with sufficient training about all the things that they need to know and follow. Additionally, the same employees must use appropriate personal protective equipment whenever necessary. A site likewise must maintain and guard heavy machinery with all protective tools and products available. Lastly, a safe work environment must be created to avoid any accidents and mishaps.

All About Gasketed Joints

A gasketed joint is an assembly of components that are required to join two or more parts of an equipment or machine. This is basically done to prevent leakage and cause accidents along the way. What makes this assembly possible is brought by the presence of a gasket, which is a type of mechanical seal that can fill the gap between parts. Since the operation of most industrial equipment or machine typically creates a vibration or are frequently exposed to elements, the gaskets used must be capable of resisting all types of extraneous elements and preventing any forms of leakage.

A lot of industries utilise gaskets. Some of these industries include oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, electrical, food processing, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical. Aside from sealing parts, these industries maximise gaskets to effectively resist vibration, maintain hygiene, and reduce noise and sound.

Incorrect Gasketed Joints

The previous discussion about work safety is crucial to gasket application as gaskets can cause dangers and accidents when they are installed or used inappropriately. Gaskets are meant to prevent dangerous elements from entering equipment pieces or machines. So, once these mechanical seals fail, different elements can freely enter a machine and cause catastrophic accidents. Some machines may stop working entirely, while others might cause more harmful effects such as fire and explosion.

Incorrect gasketed joints may happen once gaskets are reused. You see, workers who do not follow the recommended practices for the use of gaskets may end up reusing the same gasket for a long time even though it is not truly practical. 

Reusing gaskets is not recommended since their materials cannot return to original shape once they are removed. Their removal from their previous installation will only lose their ability to seal the same assembly. Aside from their inability to revert to their original shape, gaskets cannot be used again as the heat from equipment pieces or machines can directly affect their form and properties. The elevated temperature of these parts will only lessen the yield point, cause permanent deformation, and reduce or eliminate the resilience of gaskets.

Reliable Gasket Distributor

But sometimes, workers just follow the advice from their gasket distributors, who might not even have the best knowledge about the products that they offer. In this case, obtaining a gasket from a knowledgeable distributor would be the best way to prevent plant accidents and injuries. If you want a reliable distributor for your gasket, feel free to contact us at Gasketech.

There are a wide variety of materials that can be used in manufacturing gaskets. Some of these materials include metal, rubber, silicone, fibreglass, polytetrafluoroethylene, and plastic polymer. But one material that stands out in terms of gasket production is cork.

Cork is an impermeable buoyant material that is often used for making wine bottle stoppers, floor and wall tiles, and many more. It usually comes from cork oak that is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. The popularity of this material, however, makes it possible for other countries to utilise its features and eventually use it for manufacturing high-quality gaskets.

Core Features of Cork Gaskets

The integration of cork material in making high-quality gaskets allows it to generate features that are unique and distinctive from other gasket materials. When combined with other rubber materials, cork gaskets can easily manifest great resistance to oil, solvent, and fuel. Cork gaskets can even withstand chemicals, fungus, acid, and extreme weather elements. The resistance of cork gaskets to these elements allows them to effectively seal surfaces and prevent them from obtaining damages.

Another great feature of cork gaskets is that they can easily absorb vibration and impact. Since industrial applications are normally exposed to intense vibrations and direct impact, the components used must also handle them without sustaining negative effects. With cork gaskets, industries can expect them to be stable amidst intense situations thanks to their accompanying air cushion properties.

Cork gaskets are also known for their lightness or buoyancy, compressibility, resiliency, frictional quality, low thermal conductivity, and overall sustainability.

Applications of Cork Gaskets

Given the wonderful features and characteristics of cork gaskets, many industries utilise them for their respective applications. Industries that manufacture electric motors maximise cork gaskets in controlling shock and vibration on motor mounts. Those that manufacture HVAC components, alternatively, use cork gaskets in absorbing vibration that is generated by ducts, furnaces, and compressors.

The power and utility industry has compressors, turbines, and engines that often generate immense levels of vibrations. Through cork gaskets, the vibration from these components can be controlled easily. The same industry also utilises cork gaskets in resisting fuel or oil that may leak during applications.

Other industries that maximise cork gaskets due to their ability to control vibration and shock are locomotive, energy, and material handling industries.

Obtain Cork Gaskets at Gasketech

Cork gaskets are easy to acquire and install. And with a reliable supplier, you can expect high-quality gaskets that can control vibration, resist shock, and prevent elements from damaging components. If you need access to fine cork gaskets and other types of gaskets, you can contact us at Gasketech. We are a manufacturer and supplier of gaskets and sealing washers, extrusions, and mouldings for all industries.We offer fast and superior service that is appreciated by different clients. We fully maximise economical yet technically advanced sealing materials for most applications, ensuring that you can obtain optimum performance, effective emission control, and many more advantages.

Various industries have been utilising gaskets since they can effectively prevent leakage between two or more surfaces. These sealing mechanisms can fit between two objects, all while handling varying levels of compression. Some pieces of equipment that utilise gaskets include boilers, fuel tanks, and pipes.

Given their importance in preventing leakage and handling compression, gaskets must be manufactured and created with huge consideration over some important elements. After all, most industries would just want to keep their pieces of equipment operate smoothly and prevent unnecessary downtimes.

High-quality gaskets often have qualities and properties that make them truly valuable. Some of the primary qualities of a high-quality gasket are as follows.

Exceptionally Robust

A gasket is said to be high-quality if it is strong and robust. Gaskets are often tested to see if they are capable of withstanding elements upon their installation. If they passed the tests, then they are often sent and put onto the market for sale. High-quality gaskets that are strong and robust are expected to last for a very long time, yielding a good return on investment.

Flexible and Versatile

High-quality gaskets are known to not only resist elements, but they are also known to keep the surfaces intact and hold them together. Most high-quality gaskets are designed to hold objects in place without breaking, preventing elements from infiltrating and entering the objects’ surfaces and interiors.

Superb Waterproofing

Another quality of high-quality gaskets is being waterproof. Gaskets cannot perform their sealing functions if their materials will not be able to resist the effects of water or any other liquid. Those that corrode easily will not only make them wasteful, but they can ultimately damage the objects that they are intended to seal. High-quality gaskets, alternatively, will not get damaged despite being exposed to liquid.

Ease of Installation

High-quality gaskets are made to not only resist elements, but they are also made to provide convenience to users. These gaskets are designed to be installed easily. They can likewise be removed without causing issues to the objects they have sealed on. The convenience of their installation and removal can help industries save a huge amount of time and resources.

Excellent Overall Value

Gaskets that are strong, versatile, and waterproof can easily help industries carry out their operations without worrying about their pieces of equipment and fixtures. High-quality gaskets may cost higher than regular gaskets, but they can assure long service life as well as a great return on investment. Their cost-effectiveness can help business owners save money from unnecessary gasket purchases and repairs.

Gaskets that have these specific qualities and features are guaranteed to boost the performance of industries that would utilise them. High-quality gaskets can also provide convenience and savings.

If you want to acquire high-quality gaskets for your application, then just contact us at Gasketech. We are an established manufacturer and supplier of gaskets, sealing washers, extrusions, and mouldings that are fitted for all types of industries.

Gaskets are mechanical seals that can fill the space and any irregularities between two or more surfaces. They likewise help in preventing leakage from or into the objects while they are being subjected to different levels of compression.

While they are intended to fill spaces and prevent leaks, gaskets must be installed and applied correctly for them to perform their mentioned purposes. Without proper installation and application, gaskets are expected to suddenly fail and affect the overall condition of the objects or systems that utilise them. Damages and injuries might even happen due to improper installation and application of gaskets. 

If you want to achieve a leak-free gasket installation and application, then here are some helpful tips that you can consider and apply.

Utilise Appropriate Material

Before the installation of gaskets, you must know first the compatible gasket material for your application. Some gasket materials may not easily conform to flange surfaces. Others might not even flow effectively into joint imperfections once they are compressed. For leak-free gasket installation, you must ensure that the material can fit with flange surfaces. It must also contain low required-seating stress for proper application. It must likewise be durable enough to resist changes in temperature and pressure.

Regulate Clamping Forces

One element that must be regulated in terms of gasket applications is the clamping force. If the clamping forces are not distributed properly, your gasket might leak and cause unwanted issues to the objects. Alternatively, clamping forces that are well-distributed can effectively promote less leakage among various gasket materials. And speaking of gasket materials, the gasket that you will be using must have low material factors so that the clamping force can be reduced in holding the seal.

Cut Flaws and Scratches

Radial flaws and scratches in gaskets, which can be found in the flange near the outer edge, must be removed and eliminated to avoid leak problems. Whenever the pressure is high, the outer portion of the gasket must be the only one that is clamped thoroughly. However, if you cannot cut and eliminate flaws and scratches, then you may want to fill them with a gasket material that has a high compression ratio.

Maintain Clean Flanges

Flanges are integral to the installation and application of gaskets. And for the gaskets to be effective, your flanges must be free from any dirt caused by daily use. The dirt on these flanges may be comprised of leachable solids and oxides that can promote the development of leak paths. Aside from being clean, the flanges must be stiff enough so that the gaskets will most likely not unload. 

Tighten the Bolts Correctly

The bolts used for the gasket application must be tightened uniformly so that the gasket can effectively do its functions without expecting any leaks or problems. They must likewise be tightened in one-third increments to ensure proper bolting patterns are followed. If you want to know more about proper gasket installation, feel free to give us a call at Gasketech.