News & Tech Tips

Is CAD Needed to Prototype Custom Gaskets, Seals and Other Parts?

Greencrest Digital on December 27, 2021

Traditional manual gasket production requires creating templates or steel dies, doubling the time to manufacture the gasket. When gasket designs are computerized and run through CAD software, small alterations to gasket designs take much less time and do not require dies or re-tooling, making them ideal for prototyping and perfecting your design before mass production. For prototyping purposes, having CAD designs ready to go for the parts you need is ideal. But what if you don’t have a CAD file or drawing to start with?

Maybe you have a product sample and need to prototype two-dimensional gasket from the sample, or maybe you created a gasket manually, without a CAD file, that you need to duplicate. Expert Gasket has a solution that is both fast and accurate at replicating products without design files.

Gasket Prototyping Without CAD Files Via Optical Scanning

Along with our Flashcut technology, we utilize a high-tech optical scanner that allows us to make a 3D scan of the product or component sample and build a computerized model (CAD file) from the physical sample.

This scanner enables you to capture your object’s shape and geometrics quickly and accurately through millions of XYZ data points and provides thorough measurement data of the entire surface of your object, creating a complete digital representation of your part and verifying that the part matches your CAD model.

Once your CAD model is complete, your prototype can be created with our die-less Flashcut system. This entire process allows for fast, accurate results while shortening your time to market and reducing labor and material costs.

Rapid Gasket Scanning and Prototyping for Any Application

Expert Gasket & Seal provides cost-effective, rapid prototyping for most flat gasket non-metallic applications. Our Flashcut machinery’s computer-controlled, high-speed knife cutting system produces precise, close tolerance parts on soft materials. This allows us to design and quickly prototype custom gaskets made from rubber, cork, PTFE, compressed non-asbestos and many other materials.

This cutting-edge technology fabricates accurate gaskets and other products from your CAD file or from your original .pdf drawing, and it is die-less, so there is no need to tool new dies for each new design – plus, it’s simple to reconfigure new settings, so you get a finished product faster.

To learn more about Prototyping, with or without a CAD file, contact Expert Gasket & Seal today at (330) 468-0066!

What Are Mechanical Seals?

Greencrest Digital on November 5, 2021

Mechanical seals are seals are typically used on rotating equipment such as pumps, compressors, and mixers. They keep potentially hazardous gas and fluids that are being processed from contaminating the environment. Keeping these materials away from plant personal and vulnerable equipment. devices that form a barrier around moving parts to prevent contamination from the outside, and to keep components within the device from leaking.

Common Types of Mechanical Seals

Cartridge Seals

Single Cartridge Seals are seals that are factory assembled so they avoid any field installation issues. They are preassembled components composed of a gland, sleeve, faces, and springs. All the components are factory pressure tested and have pre-set spring tension. These are basically bolt on seal.utilize two flat surfaces that slide against each other and are held together by a spring. They are pre-constructed and ready to use, which minimizes installation and maintenance.

Double Cartridge Seals are seals similar to single cartridge seals, but use two separate seals positioned next to each other to reduce or eliminate any leakage of fluid from the interior of the device chamber. Double cartridge seals are also ready-made to be used with minimal installation and maintenance effort. These seals maintain the lowest leak rates possible for fugitive emissions, environmental contamination and safety to plant personal.

Component Seals

Single Spring mechanical Seals utilize two separate components that are field assembled. The spring & face rotate together and run against a stationary seat to seal off process fluids. The single spring provides the load or pressure that holds these faces together.

Multiple Spring Mechanical Seals are built in the same way that single spring seals are built with the exception that they utilize multiple springs to ensure uniform distribution of force to keep the seal shut. This helps to reduce leaks and wear and tear on the seal.
Non-Metallic Cartridge Seals are similar to single cartridge seals with the exception that they do not use metallic components. These are often used when the fluids being sealed off would cause corrosion or damage to the mechanical seal.

Related Seals

Bearing Isolator Seals are seals designed specifically to prevent external contaminants from damaging bearings, and to keep bearing lubrication from leaking out of the bearing.

How Are Mechanical Seals Used?

Mechanical seals are typically used on pumps of all different varieties. Pumps typically need to seal off fluid contained within the pump while also allowing motion to be transferred away from the sealed chamber. This usually involves a rotating shaft. The problem is that this opens up potential for fluid to leak where the shaft connects from the exterior of the pump to the interior chamber. Mechanical seals help to prevent these leaks and seal the fluid inside the chamber without hindering the moving components’ motion.

Mechanical seals are used across an enormous range of industries and applications. Any industry that involves moving fluids will likely use pumps that require mechanical seals, and many other industries also regularly use mechanical seals.

Industries that use mechanical seals would include:

  • The Oil Industry
  • Chemical Industry
  • Food and Beverage Processing
  • Utilities and Wastewater Processing
  • And many more

To learn more about our mechanical seal offerings, contact Expert Gasket today at (330) 468-0066!

How to Choose Rubber Gasket Thickness

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

When choosing the gasket thickness for compressed materials,  remember that thinner is better.  Most compressed sheet gasketing sealing values are based on 1/16” thickness.  Thicker materials require a greater compressive force to seal and have lower pressure ratings. The use of 1/16” thick gaskets will provide better sealing with lower bolt loading than 1/8” thick gaskets.  Thinner is better! 

Do you know your Viton®?

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Many rubber materials claim to be Viton®, but are generic fluoroelastomers, or blends of other compounds with some Viton®. Blends generally have lower fluorine content and will not withstand exposure to many fluids and elevated temperatures the same way as genuine Viton®. All of the Viton® gaskets and sheet goods we provide are 100% Chemours Viton®. Count on Expert Gasket & Seal to provide the proper grade of genuine Viton® for your severe sealing application.

Durlon 9000 vs Virgin Teflon®?

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Durlon 9000 will seal better than Virgin Teflon® (PTFE) in typical flange gasket service.  This is due to its construction, combining inorganic fillers with pure PTFE resins.  The result is a PTFE material that does not cold flow, yet retains the inert properties of Virgin PTFE.

Durlon 9000 is also easier to fabricate than Virgin PTFE, can be factory welded into large single piece gaskets, and is excellent for chemical, FDA, and pharmaceutical environments.

Please ask us about improving your Virgin PTFE application using Durlon 9000.

Spiral Wound Gaskets Color Codes

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Spiral wound metallic gaskets used on standard ANSI pipe flanges are color coded on the OD edge to identify their winding & filler materials.  The most common is a yellow painted edge with a pink stripe.  This signifies a 304 stainless steel winding and Mica-Graphite filler.

Another common winding is 316 stainless steel with a flexible graphite filler.  Its color code is a green painted edge with a gray stripe.  There are many others spiral wound gasket color codes.   Please contact us for a color code chart that identifies the various combinations.

Rubber Hardness for Rubber Gaskets, Seals & O-Rings

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Rubber hardness is expressed on the Shore A scale, and is measured with a durometer. The number may be specified as “60 Shore A”, or commonly as “60 durometer”. The number, itself, signifies the relative hardness within the A scale. Typically, the hardness of calendered rubber sheet ranges from 40A (soft) to 90A (very hard) in 10 point increments. Hardnesses below 40A are also available, though these sheets might be molded rather than calendered.

The most common rubber gasket hardness for Neoprene, Nitrile, and EPDM compounds fabricated from sheet is 60A, though softer and harder grades are also available. Red SBR (red rubber) is generally 75-80A, and Viton is typically 75A. Molded rubber products are available in hardnesses from 20A to 90A. O-ring hardness is usually 70A and, as with all rubber products, options are available.

All hardnesses have a tolerance of +/- 5 points. This means a 70A rubber can measure 65A, and a 60A rubber can also measure 65A; both would be acceptable. Because of the tolerance, it might be advisable to consider at least 20 point changes when testing the effect of particular hardnesses.

Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal with questions regarding rubber hardness for your rubber gasket, rubber seals, or rubber o-ring applications.

FDA Rubber Gaskets

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

FDA rubber gaskets are fabricated from rubber sheet that is made from FDA approved ingredients in compliance with Title 21CFR177.2600.  The gaskets, and the sheet from which they are made are not FDA approved – it is the ingredients used to produce the sheet that meet the requirements of Title CFR177.2600.  This regulation for rubber materials includes many compounds, such as Nitrile, Neoprene, Viton, Silicone, and others.  FDA gaskets are required in applications where the gasket comes in contact with food products.

Expert Gasket & Seal stocks FDA Nitrile & FDA Silicone in several thicknesses and can provide FDA rubber gaskets from other compounds as well.  Expert Gasket & Seal also provides non-rubber FDA gaskets from Teflon® and PTFE based materials such as Durlon 9000 & Durlon 9600.  Please contact us for assistance with your FDA application.

Boiler Handhole & Manhole gaskets

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Handhole and Manhole gaskets for boilers are typically found in two shapes. Elliptical gaskets are an oval shape with a continuous curve and no straight sides. Obround gaskets have radius ends with parallel straight sides. Boiler gaskets are available in a number of materials. The most common rubber gasket is EPDM, suitable for hot water and steam up to 380º F. Expert Gasket & Seal provides EPDM Handhole and Manhole gaskets die-cut and molded in a variety of sizes.

Boiler Handhole and Manhole gaskets are also available in wire-inserted and plain woven fiberglass coated with a white SBR rubber for service up to 500º F. Also available are Spiral wound metallic gaskets that are used for higher temperature and pressure applications. These are provided in a wide range of metal and filler combinations; the most common are 304 stainless with a mica-graphite filler and 316 stainless with a Grafoil® filler.

Handhole and Manhole gaskets are specified by their inside length x width x flange width x thickness. Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal for assistance in choosing the correct Handhole and Manhole gasket for your boiler application.

Basic Rubber Compounds for Gaskets

Greencrest Digital on October 21, 2021

Expert Gasket & Seal provides rubber gaskets for many types of service and applications. Here is a brief explanation of the most common rubber materials for gaskets and their intended usage.

Synthetic rubber is available in a variety of compounds for many different types of service. The most common of these are Neoprene®, Nitrile (Buna-N), EPDM, SBR (Styrene-Butadiene), Viton® (FKM), and Silicone.

Neoprene® (Chloroprene) is the most widely known synthetic rubber. Most chloroprene rubber compounds can be used in temperatures from -20°F to + 225°F, and in applications such as water, refrigerants, some mineral oils, and ammonia.

Nitrile (Buna-N, NBR, Acrylonitrile-butadiene) is designed for service in petroleum based fluids generally to 212°F. It is the material of choice for most mineral oils, some fuels, and petroleum based oils & grease. Nitrile is not compatible with glycol based brake fluid, phosphate-ester fluids, and high aromatic content fuels.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene) is generally good within a temperature range of -50°F to +300°F and is the preferred compound for hot water, steam, glycol based brake fluids, alcohols, ketones, and phosphate-ester hydraulic fluids. EPDM is not compatible with petroleum based fluids.

SBR (Styrene-Butadiene) is the oldest synthetic rubber and was designed to replace natural rubber. It has a temperature range of -40°F to +180°F and is most commonly used in water applications. The most well known form of SBR used in gaskets is known as “Red Rubber”, named for it’s reddish-brown color.

Viton® (FKM, Flurocarbon) has excellent resistance to a wide variety of chemicals within a temperature range of -20°F to +400°F. Viton® is compatible with some acids, aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene) and methanol based fuels. Viton® also works well in high vacuum applications.

Silicone Rubber has excellent low and high temperature resistance (-75°F to +450°F) and is particularly ozone and weather resistant.

There are other compounds, besides these, available for gasket usage. Please contact Expert Gasket & Seal before choosing a rubber gasket. We will make sure you have the best, and most cost-effective compound for your rubber gasket application.