Most Common Gaskets Failures and How Custom Gaskets Can Prevent Them

11 October 2022

Manufacturers use different components to ensure that their machines, tools, and others will work optimally. One component that they use is gaskets.

Gaskets are mechanical sealing components that can fill the space between mating surfaces. Once installed, they can prevent liquid and other media from leaking from or into the joined components. They can also protect the same components from damages that may be caused by compression during their operations.

While many gaskets today are made from durable and long-lasting materials, they could still obtain issues that lead to their failure.

Common Gasket Failures

As mentioned earlier, gaskets tend to provide proper sealing to the components that can be found inside machines, tools, and other similar things. They can, however, fail as time passes. Some common failures and problems with gaskets are as follows.

• Incompatible Material: Gaskets can be manufactured from different materials. These materials may be generally durable and long-lasting. However, they still have to be picked carefully as some of them may not be able to withstand certain elements like chemicals, high levels of pressure, and extreme temperatures.

• Erroneous Thickness: One misconception about gaskets is they can only work for a long time if they are thick. Thick gaskets are effective in sealing flange irregularities. But in terms of withstanding leakage, thin gaskets are believed to be more effective. Thin gaskets even have more blowout resistance than the thick ones.

• Inadequate Torque or Bolt Load: Another common gasket failure has to do with inadequate torque or bolt load. Torque tables ensure that manufacturers can know the proven torque values of gaskets out of different materials and flange types. Now, one factor that can affect torque values is lubrication. Without efficient lubrication, friction between the gasket and the surface can be extreme, which would lead to their failure. 

Faulty gaskets can then be triggered by the overheating of components. Loss of pressure and power can also make gaskets fail. Contamination can likewise affect the qualities of the gaskets, especially if they are vulnerable to oil and other similar elements.

Installing Custom Gaskets 

Opting for custom gaskets instead of the standard ones can help resolve and even prevent common gasket failures. Custom gaskets can have attributes that can work with one’s needs and applications. These attributes include material thickness, load retention, compressibility, and gasket design. As gasket manufacturers understand the requirements of a specific application, they can suggest materials and designs that may work well with their intended use. 

Different materials can be used in generating custom gaskets. These materials include neoprene, EPDM, and silicone. The gaskets can then be processed with various cutting machines that may work either automatically or manually. 

Of course, custom gaskets can only be achieved if one would work with a reliable gasket manufacturer and supplier. This specific manufacturer and supplier should have the experience and skills in creating gaskets. They must also have all the tools necessary in manufacturing them. If you need access to custom gaskets, you can contact us at Gasketech.

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