What is a Rubber Gasket?
When two or more parts are assembled together, it is often quite beneficial to fill any gaps that exist between components for the means of preventing leaking, damage, or other issues. With elastic components known as rubber gaskets, the areas between mating surfaces or joints can be filled with ease. Generally, these assemblies come in the form of piping, fittings, door edges, frames, and other joined surfaces that may present gaps. With the ability of gaskets to fill irregular surfaces and provide a seal, it can be highly beneficial to familiarize yourself with such components and their common types.
Due to their elasticity, rubber gasket components hold various advantages when compared to metallic and other non-metallic alternatives. Deformed between components, rubber gaskets establish tight seals. Their construction is also cheap and easy as raw rubber and additives are combined to create a desired profile. Similar to many other polymer types, rubber gaskets exhibit high formability, and they are often in their liquid form when dies and molds are filled. Once hardened or cured, the gasket is still easy to machine to reach very specific dimensions. As rubber materials require low heat and pressure for formation, the overall manufacturing process is much easier and cheaper when compared to metal.
As discussed before, rubber gaskets are excellent in terms of their sealing properties, featuring a unique microstructure that permits stretching and compression without damage. As such, they can deform to match the surface that they are compressed against, well surpassing metallic gaskets. While metallic gaskets can be deformed to a degree, the metal-to-metal sealing surface remains less efficient.
Another major benefit of rubber gaskets is the fact that there are different material types that may be chosen based on the application in question. While a raw elastomer material may be produced with ease, various additives can be added to adjust the end properties of the gasket itself. Depending on the application, one may take advantage of various types such as silicone gasket, neoprene gasket, EPDM gasket, and nitrile gasket components. The construction of gaskets may also affect their physical properties, and such components can be cut or shaped with ease to establish custom profiles.
With their many advantages, rubber gaskets find regular implementation within countless industries. Generally, they are most optimal in general purpose applications where pressure and temperatures are not extreme. Within chemical, water, and hydrocarbon applications, rubber gaskets excel the most. Depending on their placement, gaskets with varying chemical resistances may be used to ensure compatibility and long service lives.
Within the aerospace industry, as an example, rubber gaskets are implemented in areas such as fuel supply, propellant, hydraulic, and oxidizer systems. With their resilience and resistance to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stressors, rubber gaskets are capable of surviving the extreme environments present during standard flight operations. Additionally, the electrical conductivity and antistatic properties of such elastomeric components makes them beneficial for aircraft instruments and sensitive systems. Beyond aerospace applications, rubber gaskets also find use in marine, automotive, plumbing, and food & drug systems.
If you are interested in procuring diverse rubber gasket components for your various applications, the experts at Methodical Purchasing can help you secure all you need with competitive pricing and rapid lead-times. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we provide customers access to an unrivaled inventory containing over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items. As you explore our offerings, you may request quotes for your comparisons through the use of our RFQ service. With team members always readily available for customers, responses to quote requests will be given in just 15 minutes or less. Get in contact with one of our representatives today and see how we can serve as your strategic sourcing partner for all your operational needs.
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