Gasket is a material sheet inserted to seal the interfacing area of two or more joints in a mechanical system with the objective of preventing leakage to and from the joints under compressive circumstances. This is realistically possible due to the material used in making these gaskets so that the irregular surfaces of the mechanical joint are smoothened or filled with it when fitted properly. Gasket types vary with usage requirements. PTFE gasket material is advantageous in withstanding extreme chemical environments, like oxidizing effect. (PTFE stands for Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene)
Other than being resistant to
majority of chemicals, PFTE gasket
material is also considered to be a food grade material. Thus it
also advised for usage in the medical, food and beverages production units.
PTFE
gasket material is classified into three
types:
1. Virgin PTFE
2. Filled PTFE
3. Expanded PTFE
Virgin PTFE gasket is fitted
where it is less prone to extreme adverse circumstances. Price economy makes it
very popular for general usage. Filled PTFE gasket, in fact, is a modified form
of Virgin PTFE gasket. A material with suitable properties, to enhance the
sealing capacity of the gasket, is filled into the Virgin PTFE gasket
material to form the filled gasket. This enhances the compressibility
and strength along with its resistance to severe chemical environments.
Expanded PTFE is another
modification of the virgin gasket wherein the material is manufacture to
enhance stress resistance. It also has the property of uniform contraction and
expansion when encountered with adverse circumstances. This is also ideally
suited for chemical resistance.
Industrial use is the sole
largest area for usage of gaskets. The most diligent gasket for such
applicability is the expanded PTFE gasket type. These gaskets can withstand
temperature range from -450 degree Fahrenheit to 600 degree Fahrenheit. It is
also resistant to chemicals in the entire pH range. This provides error free
sealing performance for steel piping and equipment, FRP piping in chemical
process, large equipment flanges, etc.
PTFE gasket material is small but mandatory integral part of the industrial
fitting which ensures that production is not unduly hampered from machinery
breakdown caused by leakage. This in turn makes it important from the business
perspective. Adequate thought process is worth its time before one incorporates
a suitable gasket in the machinery, fitting or pipeline. A slight negligence of
ignoring this aspect could have an adverse impact to the entire production time
and financials.
