If you want fast or hard to find gaskets and gasket materials we can help!
Flexible Graphite is the most versatile of sealing products. We offer sheet gasket materials and gaskets made from graphite. The brands we offer include; Grafoil, FMI, Durlon, Thermoseal, Generic unbranded. Which Graphite is right for your application? We can help.
Expanded PTFE also called EPTFE is a soft and conformable material that is clean, has a 0 - 14 ph range making it ideal for a wide range of food and chemical applications. The temperature range is capable for cryogenic to +500 F applications.
We offer Durlon, FMI-Spa, Thermoseal, Garlock, Frenzlit, Grafoil and other brands
Viton Gaskets are perfect for a wide range of chemical and high temp rubber services.
Gaskets are commonly produced by cutting from sheet gasket materials, such as gasket paper (beater addition), Non-asbestos, Rubber, EPDM, Nitrile, Buna, Neoprene, Flexible Graphite, Grafoil, Aflas, Kalrez, Viton, Silicone, Metal, Mica, Felt or a plastic polymer such as PTFE, Peek, Urethane, or Ethylene Propylene (EP). In the past, the gasket material selected for specific applications may contain have contained asbestos.
Today's sealing products manufacturer's include: FMI, Garlock, Thermoseal (Klinger), Teadit, and Durlon. In the United States they longer produce or offer any asbestos containing products. Gasket materials containing asbestos have been claimed to have caused Asbestosis. Of course it would take the grinding of gasket material to release the fibers and then the breathing in of those fibers....possible but in the real world this would be rare. Wetting or oiling a gasket before grinding for removal greatly reduces any risk (not grinding is even better). Asbestos gasket material is still used in most of the rest of the world and is a very effective low cost material.
It is usually desirable that the gasket be made from a material that is compressible such that it tightly fills the space it is designed for, including any slight irregularities. The most common misconception when selecting a gasket materials thickness is to choose a gasket material that is too thick. The thicker the material the more likely the material being contained can weep through the pores of the gasket material itself. This is a greater issue with some materials than others. A rule of thumb is to have the material thick enough to compensate for any surface face irregularities and to permit some compression. The required compression for your gasket material will depend on many factors including:
All must be considered when determining torque. Torque data must be determined using all of the above and should be provided by an engineer. In most cases unless your gasket is a standard ANSI or API flange using Ring or Full Face gaskets torque data will be difficult to come by (due to staffing and the fear of law suits). In most cases the old tighten it tight enough to stop any leaks but not too tight as to completely crush the gasket is generally accepted.
Over compression removes the ability to recover. This is also true of expanded PTFE, once over compressed it will have no recovery and therefore will not longer adapt to maintain a seal. The common strategy of "The more compressive load exerted on the gasket, the longer it will last" is generally true of elastomeric materials since elastomers (rubbers) are not compressible but deflect compression. Many materials such as non-asbestos compressed gasket materials and beater addition (ie; Armstrong) materials contain elastomers in the mix of material they are produced from, making them difficult to over compress.
One of the more desirable properties of an effective gasket material in industrial applications is the ability to withstand high compressive loads. Most industrial gasket applications involve bolts exerting compression well into the 14 MPa (2000 psi) range or higher. This is why Non-asbestos gasket materials are so widely used in industrial gasket material applications.
We have prepared this gasket material catalog as a guide to selecting the right material for the job.
American Seal & Packing can assist you in determining which gasket material will last longer in your application.
American Seal & Packing offers a wide range of gasket materials.
Aflas sheet gasket material for chemical and steam applications that Viton or FKM just can't handle.
The gaskets which are using Armstrong materials are referred to as Armstrong gaskets.
Cork blended with rubber is one of the most commonly used gasket materials. Cork seals with minimal bolt load.
EPDM is a black plate finish sheet with superior resistance to weathering, ozone and UV exposure.
EPTFE (Expanded PTFE) is a Universal sheet EPTFE gasket material for most services. Seals rough and irregular surfaces.
Mica gasket material is exceptional in it resistance to high heat. Good for temperatures to 1800 F.
Our Recent Gaskets Materials News and Press Release here
Neoprene gasket material comes in four primary forms; closed cell (wet suit material), open cell, diaphragm, and homogeneous.
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Nitrile Gaskets ? These type of gaskets are made using nitrile corks which are cheap and have great oil resistance capabilities.
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PTFE Sheet Gasket Material comes in several forms. The first thing that must be determined is what type of PTFE gasket material your looking for.
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Rubber gaskets and gasket materials come in many rubber compounds with various properties. We can help you navigate the right compound for your applications.
American Seal and Packing has been assiting industry with gaskets and gasket materials for over 30 years. Read our testimonials.
