In pressure vessels, process equipment, power machinery, and connecting pipelines, gaskets serve as critical sealing components that prevent the leakage of liquids and gases. As industrial facilities scale up and operating conditions move toward higher temperatures, pressures, and speeds, the risk of leakage increases significantly.
Leakage incidents can cause not only production downtime and economic losses but also fires, explosions, or environmental pollution, leading to severe safety hazards. Therefore, selecting the right gasket is essential to ensure both operational safety and system reliability.
A gasket is a material or composite clamped between two connecting parts—typically flanges—to maintain a tight seal throughout its service life. Its primary functions are to:
A complete gasket sealing system consists of flanges, gaskets, and fasteners (such as bolts and nuts). Consequently, flange sealing performance must be evaluated as a system, not just by the gasket itself.
Selecting an appropriate gasket is a complex engineering task that requires balancing multiple parameters. The following factors should be comprehensively considered to achieve optimal sealing performance.
Temperature is one of the most critical selection parameters. Gasket materials have varying maximum operating temperatures, and the chosen material must provide a sufficient service life at the expected extremes.
Beyond short-term limits, engineers must also consider continuous operating temperatures. If the system temperature approaches a material’s maximum continuous limit, it’s advisable to choose a higher-grade gasket.
The gasket must resist chemical attack from the sealed medium. Consider the fluid’s oxidizing, corrosive, and permeating properties.
The gasket must withstand the system’s maximum pressure, including test pressures (typically 1.25–1.5× working pressure). For non-metallic materials, pressure capability is also related to temperature; the PxT (pressure × temperature) limit should not be exceeded when determining suitability.
Flange type, material, surface finish, and bolt specifications all influence gasket choice:
For non-metallic flanges, select gaskets that require lower pre-tightening force to avoid flange deformation or crushing.
Thinner gaskets generally perform better where surface conditions allow. Benefits include:
Offers excellent high-temperature resistance, chemical stability, and impermeability. Ideal for harsh conditions involving high temperature and pressure, with minimal stress relaxation.
Provides superior chemical corrosion resistance and sealing performance for most industrial chemicals. Best suited for medium and low-temperature applications due to its limited heat resistance.
A cost-effective non-metallic option with good elasticity and compressibility, ideal for low-pressure, low-temperature, and weakly corrosive environments.
An environmentally friendly replacement for asbestos gaskets. Delivers strong chemical resistance and impermeability, making it suitable for diverse industrial media while eliminating health risks.
Constructed from alternating metal strips and non-metallic fillers, these gaskets combine elasticity with robust sealing performance. Available in multiple types (inner ring, outer ring, or both), they adapt well to flange irregularities and are widely used across industries.
Combines metal strength with non-metallic sealing capability, offering exceptional resistance to high temperature, pressure, and corrosion. Common types include corrugated, oval, and octagonal gaskets—ideal for demanding operating environments.
To ensure correct gasket selection, follow these systematic steps:
Gaskets are fundamental to safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible industrial operation. Proper selection and installation are critical not only for maintaining process continuity but also for protecting personnel, equipment, and the environment.
By carefully evaluating temperature, medium, pressure, flange characteristics, and material properties, and by applying correct installation methods, engineers can ensure long-lasting, leak-free performance of gasketed joints—supporting the overall reliability and sustainability of industrial systems.It's important to know about Google SEO to help your website rank higher in search results.