Causes of damaged gaskets

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This post was last edited by Xin Ruifang Xiao on 2025-6-10 13:11. Click the blue words to follow us. In industrial and mechanical equipment, sealing gaskets are widely used in various liquid and gas sealing environments. Gaskets play a key role in preventing leaks, preventing media penetration and maintaining the normal operation of the system. This article will introduce the definition and function of gaskets, as well as common gaskets and applications. 01 Definition and function a.Definition: A gasket is a flexible, compressible annular element used to fill the gap between two joint parts to prevent leakage or penetration of media. b.Function: Create a sealed interface: The gasket fills the tiny gap in the joint to ensure that media cannot pass through. Withstand pressure and temperature: Sealing gaskets can withstand loads from pressure and temperature changes and maintain sealing performance. Alleviates vibration and shock: Sealing gaskets can reduce the impact of mechanical vibration and impact and improve the stability and reliability of the system. 02 Common sealing gaskets There are many types of sealing gaskets, and the specific selection depends on the requirements of the application, working conditions and media characteristics. The following are some common sealing gaskets and their application areas: Metal gasket: Usually made of metal materials, it is used for high-pressure and high-temperature sealing applications. It has high strength and pressure resistance and is often used in chemical, petroleum, energy and other industries. Graphite gasket: Graphite gaskets are made of graphite material and have excellent temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. It is suitable for sealing requirements of high temperature, high pressure and corrosive media, and is commonly used in petrochemical, electric power and other industries. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) gasket: PTFE gasket is a material with excellent corrosion resistance and low coefficient of friction. It has excellent high temperature resistance and can withstand extremely low and high temperature conditions. PTFE gaskets are commonly used in sealing applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, food and other fields. Cellulose paper gasket: Cellulose paper gaskets, such as paper gaskets, asbestos paper gaskets, etc., have good sealing performance and temperature resistance. They are suitable for sealing under general media and medium and low temperature conditions, and are often used in mechanical equipment, power equipment and other industries. Rubber gasket: Rubber gaskets are commonly used for sealing under general media and temperature conditions. They have good elasticity and sealing properties and are suitable for sealing pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment. Rubber gaskets are widely used in automation, chemical industry, food processing and other industries. The above are only some of the sealing gaskets and their application fields. The specific selection should be evaluated based on the actual situation, including factors such as working environment, medium characteristics, pressure requirements, temperature range, and budget. 03 Causes of gasket damage Mechanical stress a. Pressure changes and extrusion force: The sealing gasket may bear excessive force when subjected to pressure changes and extrusion force, resulting in deformation, damage or failure of the gasket. b. Friction and wear : When a sealing gasket comes into contact with adjacent components, surface wear may occur due to friction and shearing forces, and abrasive particles may enter the gasket surface, causing damage. c. Vibration and shock Vibration and shock of equipment will generate dynamic stress, causing additional load on the sealing gasket, leading to fatigue and breakage. Chemical corrosion a. Chemical properties and corrosiveness of the media: Some media are corrosive, such as acids, alkalis, salt solutions, etc., which may cause corrosion and damage to the sealing gasket material under long-term action. b. Material selection and corrosion resistance: Incorrect gasket material selection or unsuitable corrosion resistance may result in the gasket being unable to resist corrosion, resulting in breakage. Temperature changes a. Thermal expansion and contraction and thermal stress: The sealing gasket will undergo dimensional changes due to thermal expansion and contraction during temperature changes. If the gasket cannot adapt to these changes, it will cause damage. b. Thermal cycles and thermal fatigue: Frequent thermal cycles will cause thermal fatigue of the sealing gasket, leading to material performance degradation and damage. Improper installation and use a. Installation that is too tight or too loose: Incorrect installation pressure may cause damage or failure of the sealing gasket. b. Improper operation and maintenance: Improper operation and maintenance may cause unnecessary damage to the gasket, such as excessive torque, use of improper tools, etc. The above are some common reasons for broken gaskets. In practical applications, gasket damage is usually the result of a combination of factors. In order to reduce breakage, it is necessary to correctly select suitable gasket materials, carry out proper installation and maintenance, and carry out reasonable design and selection according to working conditions and environmental requirements.