Sealing Systems (Gaskets) Basic

Training
 Basic Function

• The function of gaskets is to form a tight and

effective seal between two stationary surfaces, and to
control possible leakage into the system.
 Gaskets
• pieces of resilient material that are used to prevent
leaks between stationary surfaces.
• used on pump housings, between pipe flanges, and in
many other places around the plant.
• when squeezed between two stationary surfaces, it is
compressed.
 Gasket Materials
Rubber
• an excellent gasket material for many applications
• highly compressible, so it can be used between
surfaces that are in relatively poor condition
• natural rubber gaskets are typically used to seal hot or
cold water, and sometimes low-pressure steam or gas
• synthetic rubber gaskets can generally withstand
higher temperatures, and some of them can be used to
seal against oil.
 Gasket Materials
Teflon and Other Plastics
• can often withstand temperatures as high as 500F (260
C) and they have excellent resistance to chemicals at low
to medium pressures
• will not swell, shrink, or deteriorate when they are used
with hydrocarbons or with alcohol.
 Gasket Materials
Asbestos
• more heat resistant than any other type of gasket
• can withstand temperatures as high as 750F (400C)
and they can be used in high-pressure water and
steam systems.
 Gasket Materials

Non- Asbestos
• contains high strength aramid fibers, synthetic fibers,
and/ or carbon fibers bonded with high grade nitrile
rubber (NBR) suitable for use in process and general
industries – blue, off-white / gray black, and black
• an alternative to compressed asbestos gaskets
 Gasket Materials
Graphite
• a homogenous pure graphite material and ideal for
dynamic sealing and flange rotation condition with
static sealing
• a graphite sheet laminated with stainless steel foil
reinforcement and has high chemical resistant and
thermally stable
 Types of Gaskets

Spiral Wound (Basic Type)

• made of thin metal hoops and non-metallic cushioning filler and
these are wound into a spiral shape by welding at the beginning and
end of the spiral windings.
• used for Male and Female (M & F) type, and Tongue and Groove
(T & G) type flanges, but not recommended for the raise faces of
ordinary piping flanges.
 Types of Gaskets

Spiral Wound (With Inner Ring Type)

• a metallic inner ring is added to the basic type gasket
• the inner ring functions as reinforcement that prevents
deformation of the gasket during tightening
• used for Male and Female (M & F) type flanges and valve bonnet
gaskets
 Types of Gaskets

Spiral Wound (With Outer Ring Type)

• a metallic outer ring is added to the basic type gasket
• the outer ring functions to center the gasket and also prevents
deformation of the gasket during tightening
• used for raised face (RF) type flanges
 Types of Gaskets

Spiral Wound (With Inner and Outer Ring Type)

• an inner ring is added to the outer ring type
• the inner ring protects spiral wound gaskets from buckling during
tightening
• recommended for high pressure and large diameter applications
 Types of Gaskets

Metal Gaskets
• suitable for high pressure and high temperature duties instead of
soft gaskets
• can be produced in any suitable materials such as soft iron,
stainless steel, brass, aluminum, titanium, special alloy, etc.
• can be plain metal, serrated metal, octagonal ring joint, and oval
ring joint gaskets and solid metal o-ring.
 Types of Gaskets

Metal Jacketed Gaskets

• wherein a highly heat resistant core is completely covered with a
thin metal jacket
• used for heat exchangers, pressure vessels, tanks, equipment,
valves, high temperature joint flanges, and so on
 Types of Gaskets

Cut Gaskets
• anti corrosion gaskets made from PTFE, Asbestos, Non-asbestos,
Graphite, and Rubber sheets by punching to the prescribed
dimensions and shapes
 Types of Gaskets

PTFE Enveloped Gaskets

• composed of cushion material such as compressed asbestos or
non-asbestos sheets covered with milled PTFE envelope.
 Metallic Gasket Selection
Criteria
Temperature
• the gross physical characteristics, creep relaxation and chemical
properties are highly temperature dependent

Pressure
• the magnitude of force require to prevent leakage is dependent
upon gasket, and that pressure acts to blow out the gasket across
the flange interface

Fluid Compatibility
• the gasket must be resistant to deterioration or corrosive attack
 Metallic Gasket Selection
Criteria
Flange Compatibility
• gasket must be chemically compatible; softer and deformable than
the mating surface

Joint Design
• the flange design must be rigid to prevent excessive binding and
prevent localized unloading of gasket

Surface Finish
• each gasket type works bet when flange contact faces have a
specific surface finish
• Tolerances varies from type of gasket used
 Metallic Gasket Selection
Criteria
Seating Stress
• the amount of force per unit of gasket area required to completely
flow the gasket varies with gasket type, material and flange surface

Flange Facings
• gasket selected must be compatible with flange facings in use