If you’re in the market for gaskets, you may be surprised to find that there are a lot of different gaskets to choose from such as a head gasket, valve cover gasket, flange gasket, and many other types. Knowing what to consider before buying will help to ensure that you purchase the perfect gasket for your specific needs. Considering all these factors will also ensure that your gasket functions properly, avoiding premature failure.
Top Six Considerations When Buying A Gasket
HARSH CONDITIONS
The question of the lifespan of a gasket is not a straightforward one. Some gaskets will last 5 years and others will last 20 years. The more important thing to consider is what factors you can influence the lifespan. Choosing a gasket that is appropriate for the pressure, temperature, and application is essential as these influencing factors will either support the functionality of the gasket or lead to its early demise. Urethane is one of the strongest elastomers and can withstand plenty of abuse.
DIMENSIONS
When you are shopping for gaskets, you must consider the dimensions of the gasket you are replacing. You need to purchase a gasket that meets the right dimensions such as thickness, pipe size, outer diameter, inner diameter, and bolt hole diameter. Failure to utilize a gasket with the proper dimensions will often result in a shortened lifespan and may lead to catastrophic failure of the application.
PRESSURE
The amount of pressure placed on a gasket is important as it often dictates material choices. Knowing the downward pressure will help to determine the most suitable material time and how much a gasket will need to deform. Additionally, the pressure from inside and outside the equipment is important, as well.
TEMPERATURE
Temperature is always an important consideration as extreme temperatures and their fluctuations will impact the type of gasket and material chosen. Temperature causes stress through contraction and expansion of materials, so purchasing with temperature in mind is always important.
COMPATIBILITY
Compatibility is an important consideration but one that is often overlooked. Many materials simply are not compatible with one another, this is especially true in applications where the gasket will encounter gases or fluids. Choosing materials that will be as compatible as possible with all the materials will extend the life of the gasket.
APPLICATION
Temperature is always an important consideration as extreme temperatures and their fluctuations will impact the type of gasket and material chosen. Temperature causes stress through contraction and expansion of materials, so purchasing with temperature in mind is always important.
APG WANTS TO BE YOUR GASKET PROVIDER
Are you in the market for high-quality gaskets? APG has been providing fluid sealing products to our customers since 1943, offering a wide variety of materials suitable for all applications.Shop our gasket selection now! Not sure what material is best for your application? No problem! Give us a call at 1-800-888-5223 and one of our customer service experts will be happy to assist you!
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If I can, I use a mill file to clean and smooth out gasket surfaces. I then clean with brake cleaner and a rag.
Paper Gaskets I ether use a thin layer of Permatex Ultra Gray RTV, or Permatex #2 aircraft grade gasket maker.
Cork I use 3M 8001 weather strip adhesive AKA Gorilla Snot. USE IT VERY SPARINGLY. If you have to remove the gasket later, be prepaired to have to scrape and chisel the gasket off.
I've never put sealent on shims, they crush and make they're own seal.
Seal I just drive them home, they are oversized so when you drive them in, they seal against the bore.
Never have delt with a felt seal.
Exhaust, clean an smooth with the file and brake cleaner. If it's the fiber steel layered ones, I use no sealent, just clean and torque them, and a retorque after the first few heat cycles.
O rings I use the fluid they are going to be sealing to lubricate them.
I follow the directions on whatever sealer/gasket maker I use, they spend a lot more time and money figuring out how to make it work best than I can spend.
Just follow the torque recomendations, making sure to follow any patterns for torquing something down, if none is provided, try and pull the titem down evenly to prevent possibly stress cracking the part.
Later
Hank
"Tiger" 1974 International Cub
"Littl' Smokey" 104 Cub Cadet
"Red Light" 1952 Farmall Cub with 151 disc plow
"Lucky" 1970 International 140