Most Common Gasket Materials and How to Choose the Best One for Your Application

The manufacturing industry utilises gaskets in most of its processes as they can help fill the space between two or more surfaces. This specific function allows them to resist chemicals, acids, gases, temperatures, pressures, and even electrical forces among components found in cars, boats, electrical equipment, pumps, and many more.

Although all gaskets are intended to work similarly, they must still boast some varying specifications to match the needs of a specific industry. These specifications mostly depend on the materials used for gaskets. Without matching the right gasket materials to the needs of an industry, they might end up damaging the components altogether. They might even cost more expenses in terms of their operations and maintenance.

Common Gasket Materials

There are tons of materials manufacturers can maximise for their gaskets. Some of these materials are the following.

• Natural Rubber: One of the most utilised gasket materials today is natural rubber. One great thing about natural rubber is it can work in almost all basic applications. It can resist water, which is an element often present in most industrial applications. Natural rubber can also work well with metal surfaces, making it useful for water pumps and pipes. Natural rubber gaskets, however, cannot be used with fuels, oils, or solvents.
• Silicone Rubber: Silicone rubber is a gasket material well-known for its weather resistance, electrical insulation, and flexibility. It is also a popular choice for applications that maximise extreme temperatures. Most pharmaceutical and food processing plants maximise gaskets made from silicone rubber.
• Neoprene Rubber: Neoprene rubber is a gasket material often utilised in marine and other outdoor processes as it can withstand moderate levels of ozone, sunlight, and other weather elements. Gaskets made from this material can also resist the effects of fats, greases, and oils and withstand a wide range of temperatures.
• Cork: Cork gaskets are often used in oil and fuel pumps since they can resist oil and solvent. They also have great compressibility and flexibility.

Selecting a Gasket Material

If you need gaskets for your applications, here are some things you need to consider when picking the right material for these sealing devices.

• Temperature: One of the things you need to consider when selecting a gasket material is temperature. The external and internal temperatures of your equipment, tools, or other things should be considered heavily so you can opt for a gasket material that can withstand them. Gaskets with the right material can provide good sealing properties and maximum allowable stress.
• Weather Elements: Weather elements like ultraviolet rays and ozone must also be checked when picking a gasket material. Gaskets exposed to these elements should be able to handle them without deteriorating. By choosing the wrong material, your gaskets will be at risk of cracking, drying, scaling, hardening, and flaking. Two materials that can withstand these elements are silicone and EPDM rubber.
• Pressure: Most sealing applications have to deal with the pressure exerted on their systems. Opting for the right gaskets can ensure that they will remain functional despite dealing with high levels of pressure for a long time.
• Media: Media, ultimately, should be considered when choosing a gasket material. Some of them, after all, may be more difficult to seal than others. Some may even cause damage to the gasket material. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the gasket materials can help you identify the right one for your application.

To know more about the different gaskets that we manufacture and supply, you can contact us at Gasketech.

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