PTFE gasket material – an introduction to its types, properties and applications

 
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.