Consisting of various compressible elastomeric materials, these gaskets are rugged components capable of creating a tight seal between two mating surfaces in high-pressure or -temperature systems. They reliably prevent liquid or gas leaks, making them suitable for a diverse range of industries from automotive and aerospace to medical and food and beverage. Learn more about the various elastomeric gasket types available, as well as their primary benefits and applications.
Types of Elastomeric Gaskets
Elastomeric gaskets come in several types, allowing you to choose the one best suited to your application.
Cut Gaskets
Failed gaskets require quick replacements in process plants to prevent extensive interruptions and costly system downtime. A highly popular gasket type, cut gaskets are relatively simple to manufacture using high-speed, computer-controlled cutting tables or steel rule dies. This facilitates fast shipments and deliveries to get your equipment up and running again, maintaining optimal productivity.
Lathe Cut Gaskets
By using different production processes, lathe cut gaskets reduce material waste and so are more cost-efficient compared to die-cut varieties. Manufacturers wind the raw or uncured polymer material around a mandrel to create the gasket’s inner diameter (ID), continuing to wrap it to a thickness greater than the intended outside diameter (OD). Trapped air pockets within the wrapping are squeezed out and the wrapped material goes into an autoclave oven, which heats it at the appropriate temperature for that material to vulcanize. After cooling, manufacturers will mount the mandrel on a specialized lathe. This tool removes material from the surface of the workpiece to achieve the necessary OD, finally slicing it to the desired thickness for the final gasket.
Molded Gaskets
Another gasket type that generates minimal waste is the molded gasket, though this variety takes more time to produce than die-cut gaskets. Manufacturers make a mold based on the gasket’s desired dimensions and engineering drawings, accounting for the material’s shrinkage rate. After placing or injecting the uncured polymer into the mold cavity, the mold will maintain the necessary temperature for a set amount of time to ensure material vulcanization in the shape of the mold. Manufacturers then remove the component from the mold for cooling, following this process with flashing removal, as needed. This process enables companies to produce gaskets of tighter tolerances and higher durometers than cut or lathe cut types.
Elastomeric Gasket Benefits
Elastomeric gaskets deliver a variety of benefits, with some of their primary advantages including:
Creating superior seals. The inherent compressibility of elastomer materials allows elastomeric gaskets to create leak-free seals by conforming to surfaces — even irregular ones.
Affordability. Manufacturers can produce elastomeric gaskets at a relatively affordable price.
Material versatility. Given the wide array of elastomers available — from silicone and fluorosilicone to nitrile, EPDM, and Viton™ — you can select an elastomeric gasket with the material properties most applicable to your unique project.
Thermal resistance. Elastomers are suitable for use in a spectrum of extremely high and low temperatures, enabling them to withstand fluctuating thermal conditions effectively.
Chemical resistance. Depending on the elastomer, these gaskets can achieve chemical resistance to substances like solvents, fuels, and oils to withstand harsh conditions.
Vibration resistance. Elastomers are also capable of absorbing vibrations, allowing them to safeguard sensitive or delicate equipment.
Simplicity. Elastomeric gaskets facilitate both installation and replacement tasks by being easy to use.
Elastomeric Gasket Applications
Numerous industries depend on elastomeric gaskets for their sealing capabilities, resistance to chemicals and temperatures, and affordable cost. The following are some common application examples:
Aerospace. Elastomeric gaskets are suitable for sealing aerospace components like hatches, windows, and doors. They can also resist the pressures and temperatures within jet engines.
Appliances. Devices like ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines depend on elastomeric gaskets to create reliable seals and safeguard against leakage.
Automotive. Automotive systems like suspensions, transmissions, and vehicle engines all rely on elastomeric gaskets to seal components and prevent fluids like coolant or oil from leaking.
Construction. Elastomeric gaskets are ideal for construction applications, sealing panels, doors, and windows to prevent moisture, air, and even noise from infiltrating a building.
Electronics. These gaskets shield electronic equipment from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD), protecting anything from circuit boards to consumer smartphones and laptop computers.
Food and beverage. Processing equipment in this industry utilizes elastomeric gaskets to avoid product contamination and support hygienic operations. They’ll hold up against regular cleaning or sanitization and adhere to applicable food safety standards.
Healthcare devices. Elastomeric gaskets’ ability to withstand repeated sterilization, as well as their biocompatibility properties, also makes them applicable in the medical sector. You’ll find these gaskets in diagnostic tools, syringes, pumps, and related medical devices.
Elastomeric Gasket Types From Master Packing and Rubber
Elastomeric gaskets are the ideal sealing solution for diverse industries and challenging conditions. At Master Packing and Rubber Company, we’ve delivered gasket and sealing solutions for our clients’ most demanding applications since 1982. We offer an extensive line of products to provide exceptional sealing capabilities and resistance properties based on your unique needs. Contact us to speak with a team member about your project and application requirements, or request a quote today.
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a type of PTFE that offers flexibility, permeability, chemical resistance, and linear strength. It has widespread applications, in everything from the medical, pharmaceutical, and dental industries to aerospace and telecommunications. While it shares some properties with conventional PTFE, its unique structure makes ePTFE a preferred material for various applications. In this blog, we will explore ePTFE, its primary properties, and the applications that depend on the material.
Flexibility
Common for tubing, cords, and sealing tapes, Flex-Tex — another name for ePTFE — offers greater flexibility compared to conventional PTFE. The synthetic fluoropolymer material has a soft, spongy feel reminiscent of a marshmallow. Its pliability is a product of its microporous structure, which consists of a high strength fibril matrix.
The ePTFE production process creates this heavily connected fibril matrix as manufacturers expand the material in controlled environments. Manufacturers can adjust the material’s flexibility to meet the needs of a specific client or application by varying the production process. Gaskets, seals, and related applications that benefit from increased flexibility utilize conformable ePTFE.
Permeability
ePTFE is also an excellent material for applications requiring high permeability. Its microporous nature makes it permeable to air, which PTFE is not, as well as other gases and water vapor. Despite this, ePTFE still maintains its resistance to particulates and liquids. Flex-Tex’s permeability makes it ideal for applications in the following:
Ventilation
Filtration
Making waterproof and breathable fabrics
Like with ePTFE’s flexibility, the production process allows manufacturers to create Flex-Tex with the desired permeability for a specific application.
Chemical Resistance and High Linear Strength
As a fully fluorinated polymer like standard PTFE, Flex-Tex provides excellent resistance to various chemicals. It’s also chemically inert and non-reactive when applications expose it to most other chemicals and solvents. The material can maintain its integrity in the presence of concentrated nitric or sulfuric acids, as well as other corrosive substances.
As a fully fluorinated polymer like standard PTFE, Flex-Tex provides excellent resistance to various chemicals. It’s also chemically inert and non-reactive when applications expose it to most other chemicals and solvents. The material can maintain its integrity in the presence of concentrated nitric or sulfuric acids, as well as other corrosive substances.
ePTFE Services From Master Packing and Rubber Company
Flex-Tex or ePTFE is expanded under controlled conditions to deliver unique material properties that conventional PTFE cannot. That said, it’s the requirements of your individual application that determine whether standard PTFE or ePTFE would be your best option. When selecting a material for your project, speak with an engineer or materials specialist first to help you determine the ideal choice.
At Master Packing and Rubber Company (MPRC), we’ve been delivering innovative, USA-made sealing solutions for clients since 1982. Among our product line of custom cut gaskets and seals, mechanical packing solutions, chemicals, and materials, we offer versatile, high-performance Flex-Tex expanded PTFE as a reliable joint sealant, ribbon, pipe tape, and valve stem packing option. With an adhesive backing, Flex-Tex can help you handle your maintenance and emergency needs in industrial equipment.
This FDA-compliant material of 100% pure PTFE is compatible with nearly any surface material, producing an exceptionally tight seal with simple application. As a form-in-place gasket, it’s rated for temperatures ranging between -350°F and 550°F as well as a pH of 0 to 14, and resists cold flow and creep. This long-lasting sealing solution also provides an unlimited shelf life, not experiencing deterioration over time.
At MPRC, we strive to provide real solutions to diverse problems and environments. Contact us to find out if Flex-Tex is the ideal choice for your application, or request a quote today to get started.
What is an O-ring, and what purposes do various O-rings serve? While an O-ring’s basic function is relatively simple, there are several important considerations to make when choosing the right one for your application to ensure your O-ring can withstand high pressures, temperatures, and other operating conditions. Read on to learn more about O-rings, what various industries use them, and how to select the right O-ring for your needs.
What Are O-Rings?
O-rings, also known as rubber rings or toric joints, are ring-shaped seals possessing a circular cross-section to resemble their namesake letter O. They’re primarily made of a rubber elastomeric material and provide an affordable and reliable means of sealing hydraulic, pneumatic, and related machinery components. It should also be understood that in addition to elastomeric materials such as the standards as Nitrile, Neoprene, EPDM, Silicone, and others, that O-rings are also made from metals, thermoplastics, fluoroelastomers (FKMs) like Viton™, all application-specific materials for optimal performance. Popular for their easy manufacturability and fit, they secure to mating surfaces and prevent pressurized liquids or gases from escaping hoses, piping, and other such system passageways.
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What Are O-Rings Used For?
O-rings have applications across diverse industries to fulfill varied sealing needs.
Transportation
O-rings are essential to the transportation sector, supporting modes of transport ranging from cars and trucks to railroads, marine boats, and aircraft. The best elastomer for a given transportation application depends on its intended exposure to vibration, temperature extremes, chemicals, and harsh environmental conditions. These O-rings will also have to comply with emission and biofuel regulations, which is why manufacturers continue to innovate to create custom O-rings that meet Tier 1 and OEM standards.
Oil, Gas, & Industrial
Oil and gas refineries use countless valves, fittings, pumps, storage tanks, and other components that require durable seals. O-rings for industrial use must stand up to high pressures and temperatures, as well as corrosive chemicals. Such applications benefit from O-rings composed of peroxide and triazine-cured perfluoroelastomers and other such specialized compounds.
Electronics
O-ring uses in the electronics industry include protecting sensitive electronic components from contaminants like dust. To fulfill this sector’s need for particulate-free O-rings for applications like semiconductor processing, manufacturers can produce them in clean environments from an array of material options.
Healthcare
The medical sector depends on O-rings for connectors, filtration systems, pumps, and syringes. To ensure product safety for patients and healthcare workers, manufacturers of O-rings for medical equipment must construct them from specialized, medical-grade materials and in sterile clean room conditions.
Food & Beverage
Equipment for food and beverage processing and dispensing, as well as water filtration applications, all require effective, FDA-compliant sealing solutions. Specialized O-rings constructed in accordance with food safety and sanitation standards are available to meet NSF-61 and 3A sanitary requirements.
Considerations for Choosing an O-Ring
While there are numerous types of O-rings available, the right option is the one that precisely matches the intended application. When comparing different O-ring materials, you can make the proper selection by evaluating multiple factors.
Material
Choosing the right material is critical to ensuring an O-ring can handle your application’s:
Pressure limits
Ambient and operating temperatures
Exposure to chemicals, acids and bases, and other sources of corrosion
Likelihood of experiencing vibration
Industry standards (e.g., sanitation, food safety, etc.)
Pressure Rating
O-rings provide leak protection within pressurized systems, and each comes with its own pressure rating. It’s important to have a thorough understanding of the maximum pressure utilized in your system and select an O-ring with a PSI rating that exceeds that maximum by a safe margin.
Sizing
In designing for O-ring use, whether standard AS 568A sizes will be used or a custom size, it is critical that not only compatibility to the media being sealed is considered along with temperature and pressure, but also stretch and squeeze of the O-ring for the application, whether it is to be used as a static seal or to be used as a dynamic seal, in which case friction must also be considered.
Durometer Hardness
O-rings must also be the right hardness for their intended application so as not to experience deformation. Manufacturers can verify an elastomer material’s hardness using a Shore durometer. Typical O-rings usually have durometer ratings that normally fall between 40 and 90, meaning that their material is on the softer or harder side, respectively.
O-Ring Solutions From MPRC
Choosing the right seal for your application depends entirely on the use conditions involved. At Master Packing and Rubber Company (MPRC), we specialize in rubber elastomer and related seal technologies to withstand varied environmental exposures and operating conditions. Our cut gaskets and seals support peak performance in your systems, designed for optimal leak protection. O-rings from MPRC are available in a range of material and design options so that we can provide the product versatility that clients in diverse industries require to find ideal sealing solutions. While we produce a variety of customer specific designs, we also provide standard AS 568A sizes and stock in several elastomeric materials.
Exhaust systems are exposed to extreme levels of heat, which means their gaskets must have the properties to withstand this and other harsh conditions. Learn about the characteristics to look for in exhaust gasket materials so that you can select the right types of gaskets for your exhaust system.
Ideal Characteristics of Exhaust Gasket Materials
The following are some of the specific characteristics to look for in exhaust gasket material types.
Heat-Tolerant Filler Material
The facing/filler material of the exhaust gasket must be able to handle exposure to high temperatures without any compromise in its structural integrity. Otherwise, the seal can experience premature wear and failure.
Metal Reinforcement
Gaskets with metal reinforcements will benefit from increased durability, strength, and holding power throughout their service life.
Low Creep Relaxation
Graphite filler materials give the gasket low creep relaxation. Low creep relaxation means that the gasket material won’t experience much loss in thickness over time or under exposure to extreme heat. As a result, the gasket will maintain reliable flange loading that keeps the seal intact.
Abrasion Resistance
If your exhaust system contains joints with high thermal motion—including joints made of two or more dissimilar metals with varying contraction and expansion rates under heat—you may benefit from a clad-style exhaust gasket material to resist abrasion.
Exhaust Gasket Material Types
Based on the characteristics required of your gasket material, you may select one of the following gasket material types:
Composite graphite — Some gaskets may use composite graphite for its superior performance and lighter weight. Many of our composite graphite exhaust gaskets have a Kammprofile design, especially for use in the marine and rail sectors.
Multi-layer steel — These gasket materials comprise multiple sheets of either carbon or spring steel with the sealing material between them. Our rail and marine multi-layer exhaust gaskets are double-jacketed.
Multi-layer steel with MOS coating — This multi-layer steel material has a dry film lubricant coating made of molybdenum disulfide (MOS) to help reduce wear.
Ceramic coating — A gasket with a ceramic coating will withstand road grime, water stains, and other types of substances.
Sandwich type — These gaskets include two thin layers of aluminum, copper, steel, or another type of metal with a center layer of graphite.
Exhaust Gasket Material Applications
Our exhaust flange gasket materials are compatible with a wide range of exhaust systems from major manufacturers:
Cummins: QSK60, IX, ISB, K38, ISX12, and QSB3.3 engines
Detroit Diesel: S60 and DD15 engines
Mack: E7 engines
MTU: Series 4000, Series 396, and Series 2000 engines
Navistar: DT466 engines
Volvo: D12 engines
EMD: 567, 645, and 710 engines
Wabtec: GE 7FDL engines
Find the Best Exhaust Gasket Materials at MPRC
It’s important to find the right exhaust gasket material for your application based on the types of conditions your exhaust system experiences. At Master Packing and Rubber Company, we provide our customers with innovatively designed and manufactured gasket exhaust materials that meet the requirements of various engines.
Gaskets fill the gap between the surfaces of two parts, joining them and creating an effective seal that prevents leakage. Manufacturers have multiple methods for producing various types of high-quality gaskets, depending upon the material selection, available equipment, and application requirements. Two common options are cut gaskets, which manufacturers cut from sheets of raw material, and molded gaskets, which are the product of one of several molding processes. Learn more about the unique advantages and proper applications of each type to help you choose the right option to fulfill your gasket needs.
Cut Gaskets Explained
From a sheet of material, CNC machinery cuts large volumes of components at high speeds, producing identical gaskets. They sit between two surfaces and create a tight seal through compressive force, filling any space caused by unevenness, gaps, or imperfections on those surfaces to make up for any design flaws. With common mechanical and plumbing applications, they’re useful for:
Automobiles
Bearings
Controls
Plumbing systems
Pumps
Valves
Advantages of Using Cut Gaskets
Some of the key advantages of CNC-cut gaskets include:
Production speed. As you won’t need to first create a custom die to generate your gaskets with die-less gasket cutting, you can achieve quality gaskets in a matter of minutes or hours rather than the process taking days or even weeks.
Cost-effectiveness. CNC-cut gaskets don’t require expensive tooling or molds, just development costs for the computer-aided design (CAD) file to guide the cutting process. This process makes cut gaskets more affordable to produce than using alternate techniques.
Shape customization capabilities. When you need gaskets in specific sizes or unique profiles, CNC-cut gaskets offer versatility in their customization options.
Resistance abilities. Equipment systems commonly utilize hot fluids, meaning gaskets must withstand high temperatures and pressures. Cut gaskets come in an array of materials, allowing you to choose one with the right pressure and heat resistance for a long-lasting seal.
Molded Gaskets Explained
Molded gaskets offer more complex and versatile designs. First, manufacturers build a precision mold with a cavity in the shape of the desired gasket. Then they fill the cavity with a plastic, rubber, or other uncured elastomer substrate where, through heat and pressure, the material sets and cures, retaining the mold’s shape. Three common techniques for producing molded gaskets are:
Injection molding. The fastest of the molding processes, injection molding produces highly consistent gaskets that minimize or eliminate the need for secondary finishing or trim work due to their optimal surface finish without flashing.
Compression molding. Manufacturers turn to compression molding to generate large-sized molded gaskets. It’s a cost-effective method with low mold and per-part costs, and it produces little unreusable waste.
Transfer molding. This process is relatively fast and, compared to compression molding, transfer molding offers enhanced uniformity in gaskets. It’s well-suited to manufacturing molded rubber-to-metal components.
Advantages of Using Molded Gaskets
While there are tooling costs that accompany the molding process, molded gaskets offer a range of benefits, including:
Enhanced design options. Using custom molds, you can generate three-dimensional gaskets, integrate additional parts into your mold’s design, create parts with varying cross-sections, incorporate engraving, and more.
Dimensional accuracy. Molded gaskets offer tighter tolerances than cut gaskets, particularly where thickness is concerned. They create a secure bond between surfaces while enabling joint flexibility.
Improved leakage protection. Molded gaskets don’t have splices, creating fewer opportunities for leakage.
Minimal waste. Molding generates little material waste, which equates to the added benefit of per-part cost reductions.
Gaskets We Offer
At MPRC, we offer a wide range of gaskets and manufacturing options to suit your needs, including:
Molded gaskets. Through injection, compression, or transfer molding, molded gaskets form through heat and pressure, offering design freedom, high performance, and close tolerances.
Lathe-cut gaskets. A CNC lathe turns a tube of material on a mandrel against a tool to cut material away and achieve completed, structurally stable gaskets in the desired shape.
Extruded gaskets. Elastomeric polymers like uncured rubber are forced through an extrusion die before being cut into the appropriate dimensions, taking the shape — be it simple or complex — of the die.
Spliced gaskets. These gaskets start as extruded of material cut into specific lengths, after which the ends bond together through heat and/or adhesives for strong joints.
Metal gaskets. Formed or cut from large sheets of metal or alloys, these highly durable gaskets create a tight seal with good pressure and chemical resistance capabilities.
Die-cut gaskets. Using a premade die and any of several die-cutting processes, you can cut gaskets with tight tolerances out of a sheet of material.
Find the Gaskets You Need With MPRC
Master Packing and Rubber Company (MPRC) is a leading provider of seals, gaskets, and mechanical packing materials, with USA-made products for clients across the globe. Contact us today to learn more about what type of gasket is the right fit for your next project or to start your order.
MPRC recently had the privilege of being featured in Energy Business Review Magazine regarding our products, services, and fluid sealing innovation in the Bio-Fuel Industry.
Here’s a great article highlighting the reasons to work with a manufacturer who is ISO Certified. Master Packing & Rubber Company (MPRC) is not only ISO-9001 Certified, but AAR M-1003 Certified as well. What does this mean for you, the customer? Assurance. You can rest assured that as a gasket manufacturer, MPRC will work to continuously improve upon our processes, attacking any problems that may arise to ensure they do not happen again. Ultimately, the goal is to make our organization better, more accountable, and provide the best possible service to our customers.
Master Packing & Rubber Company (MPRC) takes great pride in “thinking outside the box” to do whatever it takes to assist our customers, and we never shy away from challenging or problem applications that many suppliers turn down.
One example of a solution we provided our customer is a fully-molded “Ladder gasket,” which goes inside a large rotating drum. The previous OEM version was not only failing after limited use, but the lead time to acquire a new seal was excessive. This made the overall replacement cost and down-time while waiting for new parts a losing effort.
MPRC was able to fully-mold this gasket in house thanks to our customer sending us the actual drum that the gasket fits in to ensure a precision fit, resulting in proper sealing. In addition, MPRC determined the best material needed for the application based on temperature, pressure, rotation, and media the material seals against. The result: an improved seal that exceeds OEM standards, improves service life, and provides a cost savings to the customer with drastically improved lead times.
The MPRC “Ladder Gasket” is just one example of the many custom molded seals that MPRC offers our customers. Contact us at 800-397-3429 to see how we can assist you with your application!
A look back at the 2022 Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) in Minneapolis, MN
MPRC recently attended the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) in Minneapolis, MN. As a leader in innovative seal technology, the goal of exhibiting at this year’s show was for MPRC to continue to increase awareness of our current presence in the Industrial and Ethanol Industry, and showcase how we serve both the producers and equipment manufacturers of these industries.
This was the first time that MPRC exhibited at this particular event, and we are thrilled with the response and turnout we had at our booth. We take great pride in working with the individuals in this unique, hard-working industry, and are proud to assist them and help keep them running.
FUN FACTS: There are nearly 200 Ethanol Plants (195 to be exact at this time) across the United States. MPRC proudly serves well over half of the Top 10 largest Ethanol facilities with Industrial and fluid sealing components.
P.S.: To show his loyalty and appreciation for this Industry, Dave brought home a Trackmobile to drive back and forth to work! (We’re kidding of course, but it’s a fun picture! :)
Not only is Pat a valuable asset to us here at MPRC in his role as VP of Technical Service and Sales at MPRC, but he can hold the beat down and lay down some serious notes on the skins too. Pat’s been a drummer for years, and best describes himself as “A musician that’s dedicated all percussive efforts to guiding many secondary instrumentalists like guitar and bass players to sound better. Maybe a singer or two — although I have great respect for piano players, they are at the top of the heap of secondary instrumentalists. Needless to say, drums rule!”
Pat started his diesel engine career in the 1970s working within the rail and marine industry. Much of his mechanical knowledge has been gained through hands-on experiences that have enabled him to understand the mechanical complexities that port engineers and chief mechanical officers face on a daily basis.
Through the years, Pat has done an incredible job assisting customers in acquiring parts best suited for their applications. MPRC can assure you that if you’ve called us for assistance in obtaining a correct part number or need reassurance that what you are purchasing is the correct part for the engine application, Pat has most certainly had something to do with providing that service.
Pat is an absolute joy to work with, and we joke internally that he’s our “resident mechanic.” And although the truth is he wasn’t one “officially,” you’d never know otherwise. Pat set himself apart from the pack by paying close attention to the real field and service mechanics that he assisted in engine rebuilding and problem-solving. This close attention to detail has translated beautifully into a very technical sales role that is tremendously valuable to the team at MPRC and how we serve our customers as fluid sealing specialists.
