News & Tech Tips

Prevent Safety Hazards and Protect Your Plant With Expert Gasket & Seal

Greencrest Digital on October 30, 2024

When leaks occur in a chemical plant, it presents a very serious safety hazard for plant personnel, and also nearby residents if not taken care of thoroughly. If the hazardous substance drains or gets into the plant waste collection, it must be collected and treated, as no manufacturer wants to release any of the toxic chemicals into nearby streams or rivers. When a chemical manufacturer was having trouble with a leaking man-way gasket, they knew they needed to find a solution fast, so they reached out to the team at Expert Gasket & Seal.

After some initial research on the materials used for the man-way gasket, it was determined to be a bolting issue and not a material compatibility issue. The customer was using a grade 5 bolt on a flange where more bolt torque was needed, as well as a higher-grade bolt material.

Durlon gaskets

Solution

Expert Gasket & Seal switched to a grade 8 bolt, which combined with washers and a thread lubricant, were successfully able to get the proper bolt yield needed to achieve a strong seal. Expert Gasket & Seal leveraged its long relationship with Durlon, its gasket sheet material supplier which has a special bolting program to get the needed bolt torque. From there, the leaking issue was resolved very quickly.

Results

The upgraded bolt and increased bolt torque have prevented further leaks from the man-way gasket. The customer feels peace of mind knowing they found a solution that protects their employees, residents of the city and the environment.

Don’t let hazardous chemical leaks threaten safety at your facility — contact Expert Gasket & Seal and start protecting your plant today!

When Prototyping Gaskets and Rubber Parts, Precision is Key

Greencrest Digital on October 4, 2024

Gaskets and rubber seals are critical components of industrial manufacturing, as they are necessary for operating the machinery and production processes that maintain high throughput and minimize production downtime. Even the slightest deviation can lead to significant issues in performance and safety, which ultimately leads to higher costs at your facility. At Expert Gasket & Seal, our decades of experience combined with the quality materials we use and state-of-the-art technology, ensures that our prototyping has the highest level of precision. Learn more about why precision matters in prototyping and how we make it possible.

Proper Fit Means Proper Function

The primary role of gaskets is to form a seal that prevents leaks and maintains pressure between surfaces. Rubber seals are applied in pumps, valves and other components, and ensure stability under intense pressure by acting as vibration dampeners, insulators or protective coverings. Precision ensures that a prototype aligns perfectly with the intended application, reducing the need for costly reworks.

Improved Performance, Lower Costs

When gaskets and rubber seals are precisely designed to meet the needs of a particular system, they run more efficiently and require less maintenance. Additionally, when high-quality materials are used for prototyped parts, it allows them to more effectively withstand high temperatures, corrosive substances or the intense pressure that comes with specific environments.

The Expert Gasket & Seal Difference

Materials Used:

At Expert Gasket & Seal, we provide quality molded rubber parts from multiple compounds, including:

  • Silicone,
  • Viton®
  • EPDM
  • Nitrile
  • Neoprene

We also have FDA-compliant compounds available for food contact applications.

Advanced Technology:

We are proud to utilize optical scanning technology for our prototyped gaskets, seals and rubber parts. This technology is able to create highly accurate 3D representations of physical objects, then utilize lasers to create a detailed digital model of the object being scanned. Check out these great benefits:

  • Precision: Optical scanning technology offers unparalleled precision, capturing even the smallest details of gaskets and rubber parts.
  • Time Efficiency: Optical scanning eliminates manual measurements and tedious trial-and-error processes, reducing the time required to create an accurate replica.
  • Replicate Parts That Have No Tooling, Drawings, or Files: Optical scanning measures the size without needing CAD or other design files.
  • Cost Savings: Optical scanning saves money by minimizing errors and reducing the need for multiple iterations.

We are confident that our expertise, quality materials, technology and focus on precision can provide your company with gaskets and rubbers seals that will improve operations at your facility. Contact us today to learn more about our prototyping process!

 

How Custom Gaskets and Custom Molded Rubber Parts are Critical for Manufacturers and Industrial Companies

Greencrest Digital on June 2, 2024

Manufacturers and Industrial companies alike frequently rely on proprietary machines to achieve their business goals. These machines are often custom designed to meet a specific need or function that only these companies can provide. As with all machinery, the machines also rely on gaskets and specific molded rubber parts to ensure their smooth functionality, and due to their unique construction, will require custom designed gaskets and molded rubber parts that can’t be bought as standard pieces. Here are some reasons why custom gaskets and custom molded rubber parts are critical for manufacturers and industrial companies.

Unique Manufacturing and Industrial needs

As mentioned above, many of the machines and systems used in manufacturing and industrial production require very specific and custom design gaskets and molded rubber parts to meet a specific need. These gaskets serve a specific purpose, and a single failure could result in loss of product and their financial bottom line. Custom gaskets and molded rubber parts allow proprietary machines to run as efficiently as possible due to their unique engineering.

Reduction in Downtime and Maintenance

Utilizing custom gaskets and molded rubber parts for manufacturing and industrial machinery can reduce overall downtime and maintenance. When these parts are specifically designed to meet the needs of the system, they will run more efficiently and require less overall maintenance than if they used gaskets that were less than ideal for the system. These gaskets and molded rubber parts are often precisely engineered to provide the most efficient function from the system they’re used in.

Regulatory Compliance

Some industries, like those that must meet FDA regulations, require custom gaskets and molded rubber parts made from specific approved materials. These materials may not always be available from standard gasket producers, so a custom solution can be provided. These types of gaskets help manufacturers and industrial producers meet the required material regulations and keep the systems running smoothly.

In short, custom gaskets and molded rubber parts are critical for manufacturers and industrial companies to ensure their systems continue to function efficiently, reduce overall downtime and maintenance, meet the unique manufacturing and industrial machinery needs, as well as keep within regulatory compliance. Expert Gasket and Seal can help you with your custom gaskets and molded rubber parts in all of the areas mentioned above.

To learn more about our custom gasket and molded rubber parts solutions, contact Expert Gasket & Seal today at (800) 956-8766

Production Delays Are a Thing of the Past with Expert Gasket & Seal Solution

Greencrest Digital on May 6, 2024

Downtime and production delays are not only stressful, but can cost manufacturing facilities thousands of dollars if not handled properly. When a chemical additives producer was experiencing constant production delays due to pump and seal failure, they reached out to Expert Gasket & Seal for solutions.

Upon investigating the issue, it became clear that many of the issues the customer was facing at their facility were compounded by the fact that they had multiple pumps and mixers hooked up to a single recirculating gear pump for their barrier fluid protection. One specific pump was a constant source of failure. Additionally, the “press” pump was seeing higher pressure than the balance of the group, due to back pressure buildup from a filter press getting clogged and overcoming the seal/stuffing box pressure.

recirculating gear pump

Solution

After Expert Gasket & Seal consulted with an engineering partner, it was determined that the facility needed a double seal with its own ASME stamped seal pot/barrier tank. The pressure on this seal pot would need to be set higher for this single barrier system than what the filter press would create with its back pressure. The tank pressure was set at roughly 65 PSI, which the 595 double pumper cartridge seal can handle easily. The 595 double pumper cartridge seal with the barrier tank is independent of the pump and the pressure associated with the process.

Results

Isolating the 595 double pumper cartridge seal from the others on a “community loop” setup will greatly extend the life of this pump and seal process. By setting this one pump and seal up to its own pressured barrier tank, it can run longer and for extended periods without downtime. This solution should double or even triple the life of the seal and eliminate downtime on a very valuable piece of production equipment for this facility.

Struggling with production delays and downtime at your facility, but can’t seem to get to the root of the problem? Then contact Expert Gasket & Seal for solutions that save time, money and reduce stress!

How to Avoid Purchasing Low Quality Gaskets

Greencrest Digital on February 4, 2024

Gaskets are critically important to the operation of complex machinery and manufacturing processes. A single gasket failure may require hours of downtime, causing production bottlenecks and potential damage to expensive machinery. Even if total failure does not occur, rapid deterioration will cause headaches for maintenance managers who will need to schedule replacement ahead of schedule. So how do you avoid purchasing low-quality gaskets?

Signs of Low-Quality Gaskets

  • Poor Material Quality: Precise materials are needed for specific temperatures, pressurizations, and chemical exposure. Not having your gasket materials align to these requirements is problematic. Additionally, where these materials are sourced from can be extremely important from a quality perspective. Not every country in the world has the rigorous quality control standards that the United States has, which is why Expert Gasket & Seal sources the broad majority of our sheet material from domestic suppliers.
  • Poor Fitting & Sealing: If gasket shapes are inconsistent, leaky, or simply do not fit the measurements, this is an obvious sign of poor quality standards in the production of the gaskets.

How to Avoid Purchasing Poor Quality Gaskets

  • Get Advice from Experts on Material Needs: The most capable suppliers should be able to provide expertise and guidance on the material needs for your gaskets and seals. They should be able to listen to your needs, and provide direct advice on the best options based on their experience. Hint: We at Expert Gasket & Seal are experts and helping clients find the best products for their needs.
  • Find a Supplier That Follows Quality Standards: Your supplier should be using reputable name brands for the products they are selling you, and should be able to identify where they are sourcing their materials from for custom-designed products. They should have quality standards in place along with relevant certifications.
  • Choose a Supplier with a Good Reputation: A high quality supplier should not be seeing extensive client turnover. Find suppliers with a track record of success and consider asking others in your industry who they have enjoyed working with. A supplier that has been around for a long time is more likely to be a good partner than an unknown supplier with no reputation to go by.

Clearly, we are speaking about some of our own values here in this blog post. But building great relationships by making sure our clients get the quality and service they deserve is what has enabled us to serve a wide range of clients for nearly two decades. If you’re experiencing frustration with quality issues in the gaskets you have been purchasing, get in touch with us today and we can help!

To learn more about our gasket and seal solutions, contact Expert Gasket & Seal today at (800) 956-8766.

Spliced / Vulcanized O-ring Benefits and Usage

Greencrest Digital on September 18, 2023

Spliced / vulcanized joint O-rings are often used in static seal applications, most commonly as face seals.  Spliced / vulcanized O-rings are fabricated from extruded rubber cord and are available in several popular compounds such as Nitrile, EPDM, Viton©, and Silicone. To create a spliced and vulcanized o-rings, a strong joint is made using a liquid form of uncured compound to adhere the two ends under heat and pressure in a mold.  An example of a typical face seal that may use this type of o-ring is a tank lid where an O-ring groove is either in the lid or the mating tank surface.

Spliced / vulcanized O-rings don’t require large minimum orders or tooling for common cross-sections.   We can provide nearly any diameter from standard inch and metric cross-sections in the previously noted compounds.

Custom sizes, a variety of compounds, and low cost make a spliced / vulcanized O-rings a great solution for a number of different static seal applications.

Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal for assistance with your application details and let us provide a proper sealing solution.

Choosing Microcellular Polyurethane foams for gaskets

Greencrest Digital on September 18, 2023

Microcellular Polyurethane foam is an excellent gasket material for low squeeze applications where conformability is necessary.  A typical application is a rectangular electrical enclosure that may have only four mounting points in its corners.  Microcellular Polyurethanes such as Poron® will conform to an electrical box’s uneven sheet metal or plastic surfaces with the typical low squeeze applied by the box’s fasteners.  Microcellular Polyurethanes’ extremely low compression set and quick return to its original thickness is also a perfect choice for applications such as door seals with variable gasket loading.

Microcellular Polyurethanes should be considered for any dust, moisture, or environmental seal that has challenging conditions such as low and variable loading and requires a positive seal over the life of the product.

Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal to discuss your application and find the best sealing solution using Microcellular Polyurethane gasket materials.

Gasket and Rubber Part Replication Using Optical Scanning Technology

Greencrest Digital on September 6, 2023

In the world of industrial manufacturing, precision and efficiency are paramount. This is especially true for gaskets and seals, which are critical for operating the machinery and production processes that maintain high throughput and minimize production downtime. Traditionally, replicating gaskets and rubber parts could be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. However, with the advent of optical scanning technology, the game has changed.

At Expert Gasket & Seal, we are proud to utilize optical scanning technology. Find out why we love this technology so much below.

The Power of Optical Scanning Technology:

Optical scanning technology, also known as 3D scanning, has gained significant traction in recent years due to its ability to capture highly accurate 3D representations of physical objects. This technology utilizes lasers to create a detailed digital model of the object being scanned.

Benefits of Optical Scanning for Gasket Replication:

  • Precision: Optical scanning technology offers incredible precision. It captures even the tiniest details of gaskets and rubber parts, ensuring that the replicated parts are an exact match.
  • Time Efficiency: Traditional methods of gasket replication often involve manual measurements and tedious trial-and-error processes. Optical scanning drastically reduces the time required to create an accurate replica.
  • Replicate Parts That Have No Tooling, Drawings, or Files: Manufacturers no longer need to fret about replacing gaskets and parts that are missing CAD or other design files. Optical scanning measures the size without needing computer files, making the entire process easier.
  • Cost Savings: By minimizing errors and reducing the need for multiple iterations, optical scanning can lead to significant cost savings in the replication process.

How the Optical Scanning Process Works to Produce Replica Gaskets and Rubber Parts

Scan: First, we take the gasket or rubber part that needs to be replicated and scan it. The original part is placed in the scanning area. The optical scanner emits lasers, creating a detailed 3D model of the object’s surface.

Prototyping: The digital model is saved as a CAD file, which can then be used by our prototyping machinery such as our flashcut system to create a prototype part.

Replication: Once the prototype is evaluated, larger production runs can begin, which allows for mass replication of critical components.

Choose a Gasket Supplier that Uses the Latest Technology

Optical scanning technology has ushered in a new era of precision and efficiency in the replication of gaskets and rubber parts. At Expert Gasket & Seal, we embrace these advancements to provide our customers with the highest-quality gasket solutions.

If you’re looking to replicate gaskets or rubber parts with unbeatable accuracy and speed, consider the power of optical scanning technology. Contact us today to learn more about how we can meet your gasket replication needs and take your industrial processes to the next level.

Replacement Gaskets Used for Boiler Systems

Greencrest Digital on June 15, 2023

Boilers play a crucial role in many industries, providing the necessary heat and steam for various processes. Within these high-pressure boiler systems, gaskets are vital components that ensure proper sealing and prevent leaks

The Role of Gaskets in Boiler Systems

It goes without saying that the seals that prevent the immense pressure and heat in a boiler system from escaping are outright critical not only to the function of the system, but to everyone’s safety as well.

Gaskets in boiler systems serve a critical function by creating a secure seal between different components, such as boiler sections, flanges, and manhole covers. The primary role of these gaskets is to prevent the leakage of steam, gases, or fluids, which could compromise the efficiency and safety of the system. By providing a reliable seal, gaskets help maintain the desired pressure, temperature, and flow within the boiler system, ensuring optimal performance. In a boiler system, gaskets need to be designed to withstand the extreme conditions and stresses they are constantly exposed to without corroding or leaking. As a result, it’s critical to have high quality gaskets that use the appropriate materials.

Types of gaskets used in boiler systems

Various types of gaskets are used in boiler systems, each designed to withstand the specific conditions and requirements of the system. Here are some commonly used gasket types for boiler systems:

  • EPDM and SBR coated Fiberglass MH and HH gaskets: These gaskets utilize SBR or EPDM material alongside Fiberglass to provide durability that can also maintain an excellent seal with strong resistance to corrosion.
  • Spiral Wound metallic gaskets: Flexible metal gaskets, also known as spiral wound gaskets are made by winding metal and filler materials together. They provide an effective seal against high temperatures and pressure fluctuations, making them suitable for boiler systems operating under demanding conditions.
  • Non-asbestos fiber gaskets: Asbestos-free gaskets are a safer alternative to traditional asbestos-based gaskets. These gaskets are made from synthetic fibers and elastomers, offering excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, and compression. They are commonly used in boiler systems that require a non-toxic sealing solution.

Expert Gasket: Your reliable source for replacement gaskets

It’s essential to rely on a trusted supplier like Expert Gasket & Seal when replacing boiler gaskets. We provide high-quality replacement gaskets tailored to specific boiler system requirements, which we draw on our extensive knowledge and experience in gasket manufacturing to deliver quickly and effectively. Expert Gasket & Seal offers a wide range of options to meet the many different needs of manufacturers, including custom-fabricated and designed gaskets of all batch sizes. 

To learn more about gasket solutions, contact Expert Gasket & Seal today at (800) 956-8766

Five Gasket Materials That Will Seal the Deal

Greencrest Digital on February 3, 2023

There are a variety of materials that can be used to make gaskets. When preventing leaks is the objective, it’s very important for these materials to be reliable and long-lasting. But before determining the right material for your project, you must first consider how your gasket will be used. Here are some things to think about before deciding what material to use:

  • What application will the gasket be used in?
  • What temperature range will the gasket be used in?
  • Are there any potential chemicals that may come in contact with the gasket?
  • What type of system pressure will the gasket need to endure?

Once you have determined the use for your gasket, the next step is figuring out the type of material that will best serve this purpose.

There are many types of materials we use at Expert Gasket & Seal to make gaskets. Here are a few popular materials to consider for your next project.

Rubber Gasket Materials

  • Silicone rubber is a versatile material that is effective in high and low-temperature environments. A silicone rubber gasket will prevent oxygen from penetrating as well as resist a lot of potential problems, like ozone, UV rays and inclement weather.
  • Viton rubber has an exceptionally broad range of chemical resistance making Viton a perfect option for most applications involving oils, fuels, acids, this material boast excellent resistance to oxidation, ozone, and UV exposure.
  • Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber is used in hot water and steam conditions. EPDM rubber is also used with glycol-based brake fluids and is known for great resistance to ozone, aging and a range of weather conditions.

For compressed gasket materials, here are a couple of frequently used materials in this gasket category.

Durlon Gaskets

  • Durlon® 8500 is a green colored NBR binder/Aramid-Inorganic fiber compressed sheet. This would be a great choice for steam, natural gas and a number of petroleum-based fluids. It will perform in temperatures as low as -100 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The continuous max temperature is 548 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Durlon® 8400 is a gold colored NBR binder/Phenolic fiber sheet. This type of material is a popular choice when a wide pH range is needed. It’s an excellent choice in chemical, pulp and paper and other industrial applications. This material will perform in temperatures as low as -100 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 800 degrees Fahrenheit. The continuous max temperature is 554 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Durlon 9000 is extensively used in chemical, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and the railroad tanker industry.

There are many considerations to make when determining which material to use to make a gasket. Once you settle on the type of material you need, Expert Gasket & Seal’s sealing professionals will provide you with the precise gasket you need from our state-of-the-art facility using a traditional die-cutting process or a computer-controlled, die-less, Flashcut process.

To learn more about gasket materials, contact Expert Gasket & Seal today at (330) 468-0066.