A metal gasket may be the right answer, the best answer. Have an application that needs a gasket that handles extremely high-pressure and/or higher temperatures? A metal gasket is ideal for medium- and high-pressure applications and is designed to resist extreme temperatures, extreme pressures, and chemical exposure. Metal gaskets are frequently used in oil and gas industrial systems and secured with high-tension bolting. Common applications span heat exchangers, compressors, condensers, pumps, and valves.
How Metal Gaskets Work
As you know, a gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the space between two or more mating surfaces. Metal gaskets typically have metal wound outwards in a circular spiral (other shapes are available) with the filler material wound in the same manner but starting from the opposing side. This results in alternating layers of filler and metal. Because of this and the materials, metal gaskets typically don’t need sealant, although sometimes it is used (with mixed results and if used, keep it to a thin layer).
We get asked if metal gaskets can be reused. You can if there isn’t any apparent damage. That said, walk cautiously. Once a gasket has taken a set, it will not have the same properties as initially provided. And with the types of applications, it’s probably not worth the risk.
Metal Gaskets from DRC
DRC manufactures a complete line of metallic gaskets including solid metal, ring joint, jacketed, spiral wound, and corrugated gaskets. We work with a wide range of alloys and deliver gaskets that can handle even the most chemically aggressive applications and harsh environments.
Materials we offer include carbon steel, cast iron, brass, and bronze, and we use WardJet 5-Axis Waterjet cutting. With recent advances in control and motion technology, 5-Axis CNC waterjet cutting (abrasive and pure water) has become a reality. Where the normal axis on a water jet are named X (back/forth), Y (left/right) and Z (up/down), a 5-Axis system will add an additional A-axis (angle from perpendicular) and C-axis (rotation around the Z-axis).
Learn more about our Waterjet cutting capabilities.