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Quick Answer: An industrial gasket is a shaped sealing element placed between two flange faces or mating surfaces to prevent fluid or gas leakage under operating pressure, temperature, and media conditions. The right gasket depends on flange type, pressure class, operating temperature, chemical exposure, and required compliance standards. For custom or standard industrial gaskets, CORASEALS supplies cut gaskets, flange gaskets, spiral wound gaskets, RTJ gaskets, kammprofile gaskets, graphite gaskets, PTFE gaskets, non-asbestos gaskets, sanitary gaskets, and heat exchanger gaskets in multiple materials.
This guide covers industrial gasket types, material selection logic, dimension measurement, common failure causes, and the exact information you should provide when requesting a gasket quote.
An industrial gasket fills the unavoidable gap between two flange faces or machine surfaces. The gasket must deform enough to seal surface irregularities but remain stable under bolt load, internal pressure, temperature swings, and chemical attack. Gaskets are not O-rings. O-rings typically sit in a machined groove and rely on controlled squeeze. Gaskets usually sit between flat raised faces, tongue-and-groove faces, RTJ grooves, or heat exchanger channels and rely on compressive load from bolts or clamps.
Typical gasket functions include preventing product loss, keeping air or moisture out, maintaining pressure in piping and vessels, isolating vibration, and protecting flange surfaces from corrosion. A gasket failure in a steam line, chemical flange, or heat exchanger can shut down a whole process unit. For this reason, gasket selection must start with the flange standard, pressure class, temperature range, medium, and bolt load available.
CORASEALS supplies common industrial gasket profiles used across refineries, chemical plants, power stations, water treatment, food processing, pharmaceutical lines, and general industrial piping. The main profiles include sheet cut gaskets, spiral wound gaskets, kammprofile gaskets, ring type joint gaskets, PTFE envelope gaskets, and sanitary gaskets.
The profile must match the flange type and sealing stress available. A rubber sheet gasket cannot replace a spiral wound gasket in a high temperature steam flange. A spiral wound gasket is also not interchangeable with an RTJ gasket because the flange groove geometry is completely different.
Material selection is the most common source of gasket failure and the most common inquiry CORASEALS receives. The first step is to confirm the chemical medium, operating temperature, and pressure class. Then confirm flange material, bolt load, and any industry or food grade requirements.
Common industrial gasket materials and their typical selection logic:
The table below provides general material comparison for industrial gaskets. Values are typical reference ranges. Final selection must always be confirmed against the actual chemical concentration, flange class, and operating conditions.
| Material | Temperature Range | Main Media Suitability | Common Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | -30 °C to 100 °C typical | Oils, fuels, water, hydraulic fluids | Not for strong oxidizers or high ozone |
| EPDM | -40 °C to 130 °C typical | Hot water, steam, weather, ozone | Not for mineral oils or hydrocarbon solvents |
| FKM | -20 °C to 200 °C typical | Oils, fuels, acids, chemicals | Not for hot water or high pressure steam above limits |
| Silicone | -50 °C to 200 °C typical | Dry heat, food contact, outdoor weather | Poor resistance to many oils and concentrated acids |
| PTFE | -50 °C to 260 °C typical | Acids, solvents, high purity chemicals | Cold flow under high load, stiff |
| Graphite | -200 °C to 450 °C typical | Steam, thermal oil, high temperature flanges | Galvanic corrosion risk with some stainless steel flanges |
| Non-asbestos fiber | Up to 200 °C depending on binder | Water, oil, mild chemicals, general purpose flanges | Binder system defines chemical and temperature limit |
Material data must be checked against the actual service medium and temperature. A gasket material may work with a chemical at room temperature but fail at 80 °C or 120 °C. For example, EPDM works well with hot water but deteriorates quickly in mineral oil. FKM handles many chemicals but is not the automatic best choice for steam. Silicone offers good temperature flexibility but tears easily under high bolt load or high mechanical stress.
Gasket dimensions can be expressed in inside diameter, outside diameter, and thickness. Some flanges are specified by nominal pipe size and pressure class instead of exact ID and OD. Heat exchanger gaskets use plate model and manufacturer drawing references. Sanitary gaskets use clamp size and standard such as DIN 32676, ISO 2852, or SMS. If the gasket is cut from sheet, the drawing should show ID, OD, bolt circle, bolt hole diameter, number of bolt holes, and thickness.
For a complete gasket inquiry, send the following information:
When only a flange size is given, CORASEALS can usually cross check the gasket ID and OD against common flange standards. But the safer method is to provide exact measured dimensions or a sample photo and drawing. This avoids errors caused by reg
