Gaskets
Gaskets fill the space between two or more mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the joined objects while under compression. Gaskets allow for the mating surfaces to be less than perfect. Gaskets come in all shapes and sizes, thicknesses, and with or without bolt holes.
Gaskets are most commonly die cut from a single sheet which can be made out of a variety of materials. Acceptable materials include rubber, plastic, cork, PTFE, and metal. A number of application details must be considered when choosing a material for your gaskets.
Spiral Wound
Spiral wound gaskets are made with an alternating combination of a pre-formed engineered metal strip and a more compressible filler material which creates an excellent seal when compressed. The engineered shape of the metal strip acts as a spring under load, resulting in a very resilient seal in variable conditions.
Plastics
Plastic gaskets are available in a wide variety of materials, thicknesses, hardness and colors. Adding a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) to one or both sides will assist in keeping the gasket in place.
Rubber
Rubber gaskets are made in a wide variety of materials, thicknesses, hardness and colors. Rubber gaskets may be held in place by adding a PSA to one or both sides of the gasket.
Die Cut
Die cutting is the process of creating a die to punch parts out of a specific material. Die cutting is a fast, clean method to manufacture gaskets.
Stamped
Stamped gaskets are typically stamped out of raw material shaped as a strip or tape. Stamping provides better tolerances than die cutting.
Water Jet
Water jet cutting is a very effective technique utilizing water and pressure to accurately cut a broad range of materials. Water jet cutting involves high pressure water being forced through a small nozzle which results in an extremely clean and precise cut. Water jet offers highly accurate cuts of complex and intricate parts resulting in an efficient use of materials and less compression distortion.
Having problems keeping your gasket in place during assembly? Ask Wyatt Seal about pressure-sensitive adhesives that can be applied to one or both sides of the gasket.
