What is Rubber Gasket?
A rubber gasket is a deformable mechanical seal used to fill the space between two or more mating surfaces. By compressing under pressure, it creates a robust, airtight, or fluid-tight barrier that prevents leaks, manages temperature differentials, and absorbs vibrations in machinery, piping, and automotive engines.
Common Rubber Materials & Uses
Different elastomers are suited to different operating environments:
- Silicone: Offers excellent flexibility and performs well in extreme high and low temperatures. Ideal for food processing, medical devices, and electronics.
- Neoprene (CR): Provides good resistance to oils, weather, and chemicals, commonly used in outdoor and HVAC applications.
- EPDM: Known for exceptional weather and ozone resistance, making it perfect for outdoor pipe flanges and automotive weather stripping.
- Nitrile (Buna-N): Features top-tier resistance to oil and petroleum-based fluids, heavily used in automotive and hydraulic systems.
- SBR (Red Rubber): A cost-efficient, resilient material commonly used for general water and low-pressure piping applications.
Common Causes of Failure
Temperature Overload: Exceeding the material’s limit can cause the rubber to harden, crack, or lose elasticity.
Uneven Bolt Tightening: Applying uneven pressure forces the gasket to compress irregularly, leading to localized leaks.
Chemical Degradation: Using a rubber type that reacts poorly with the fluid or gas it comes into contact with (e.g., using a material that dissolves in harsh solvents or fuels).
