Most Common Gasket Materials Used for Water Supply and Sewerage Systems

08 May 2018

A nation’s welfare relies on the strength of its infrastructure. Sure, the modern conveniences are important, but electrical currents aren’t vital, not in the same way as a clean water supply. Water supports life while waste disposal networks remove dirty sewage. Keep these infrastructural consequences firmly in mind now as we evaluate the common gasket materials employed in a typical fluid-based framework. Choose them wisely, and reap the rewards.

Drinking Water Seals 

What factors affect the quality of a region’s drinkable water? Well, there are probably contaminants suspended in the life-sustaining fluid. They’ve been leached from the soil or introduced by way of a secondary contaminant source. Chlorine is often added to regional water lines, as are other additives. A capable water supply gasket needs to withstand the pressure variances that alter as the water flows through kilometres of pipe. Furthermore, the selected gasket material has to retain its material characteristics, no matter how abrasive these added chemicals and suspended particulates become in any pipeline section. To deal with these line factors, potable water quality is protected by styrene butadiene (SBR) flange gaskets, by acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR) rubber and other chemically stable polymer solutions. Better yet, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber has made large inroads here, with its synthetic material backbone performing as a superior defence against chloramine penetration. Basically, EPDM water supply gaskets won’t fail when harsh chemical additives attack crucial infrastructural lines.

Toxic Sewerage Systems 

If this noxious discharge penetrates a substandard seal, it’ll impact the ecosystem. The soil above the leak then becomes a stinky swamp while the effluent load makes its way towards the local water table. A healthy mains water grid simply can’t afford that kind of damage. To make sure this threat never becomes a reality, we use the toughest, most chemically toughened sealing materials. EPDM is again the tried-and-trusted nominee here, for this synthetic rubber is extremely durable, even when the wastewater discharge is packed with nasty acids and reactive chemical compounds. Notably, however, EPDM gaskets are not suited for petrochemical applications. That one drawback isn’t likely to trouble a regular wastewater line, not unless some reckless individual decides to pour motor oil down into the drainage channels.

Styrene Butadiene and neoprene are the preferred polymer solutions when the gaskets are expected to handle average water supply issues and corresponding sewage loads. Still, should the soil conditions and wastewater problems call for something tougher, EPDM is the steadfast gasketing candidate, one that will withstand every water-bound contaminant and every wastewater toxin.

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