6 Things to Consider While Buying a Gasket

Nov 16, 2016 Gaskets

There are different types of gaskets used in a vehicle, varying from head gaskets that are installed between the engine block and the cylinder head, to engine gaskets that seal out harmful elements, thus keeping the engine safe and sealed up tightly.

The various gaskets that are around the engine look after air intake and exhaust manifolds, and protect the oil pan from leakage and more. Many gaskets let oil through to the block to lubricate it, however they have to maintain constant coolant flow to prevent the engine from overheating. Malfunction of any of the gaskets can be hazardous for your engine, and may be the most common type of damage that occurs to an engine. This post will explain some considerations that one needs to make when buying gaskets.

What Type of Gaskets are most Common?

Following are some of the most common types of gaskets:

High-Temperature Gaskets
Metal Gaskets
Rubber Gaskets
Soft-Cut Gaskets
Sponge Gaskets

What are the Key Considerations when Buying Gaskets?

Here are some of the most important considerations when buying gaskets:

Lifespan: A gasket that is to be used in a part, which is regularly serviced will be different from a part that remains sealed and fully operational for several years. Therefore, lifespan of a gasket is a very vital factor.
Dimensions: This consists of some basic elements, like the number and size of bolts (that require indents or holes) in the gasket and the dimensions of the gasket (such as thickness, pipe size, outer diameter, inner diameter, bolt hole diameter, etc.). Your engineering team can provide you all these, and the gasket manufacturer will ask for any other relevant dimensions required.
Pressure: The amount of pressure that acts on a gasket is very important to determine the material used. The downward pressure helps determine the type of material used, and how much the gasket needs to deform. Still, the amount of pressure from outside (or inside) the equipment/pipe is more important.
Temperature: Extremely high or low temperatures have a direct impact on the type and material of a gasket. Therefore, temperature fluctuations should also be determined. This will cause extra stresses through contraction and expansion of all materials.
Compatibility: This factor is often overlooked by many. Some materials are not compatible with each other and thus, it is recommended to avoid those combinations. In addition to this, where equipment is flushed, the gases or liquids that are used in this process should also be determined to avoid premature degradation of the gasket.
Applications: There are a number of applications of gaskets such as:
- Separating liquids (from water to oil and chemicals)
- Separating gases that are toxic, or require protection from external contamination
- Protecting sensitive equipment from leakage or electromagnetic frequency interference of same from equipment.

You should think whether the application specifically requires non-conductive materials to be used in the gasket.

If you take into account all the considerations explained above, it would help you in selecting a gasket that is reliable, durable, and would fulfill all your design requirements.