23/05/2026
📘 Free study material – check comments.
8 Types of Gasket
Gaskets seal the gap between 2 fl**ges/surfaces to prevent leaks. Pick wrong material = leak, corrosion, blowout.
1. Non-Metallic / Soft Gaskets
- Material: Rubber, cork, fiber, PTFE, graphite sheet
- Temp/Pressure: Low to medium. Up to 150°C, 20 bar typical
- Use: Water, air, oil, low pressure steam. Pump casings, pipe fl**ges, valve bonnets
- Types:
- EPDM l: Water, glycol, brake fluid. -40 to 120°C
- NBR: Oil, fuel. -30 to 100°C
- PTFE/Teflon: Chemicals, food. -200 to 260°C. Non-stick
- CNAF: Compressed Non-Asbestos Fiber. Steam, oil. 400°C
- Pros: Cheap, conforms to rough fl**ges, no special finish needed
- Cons: Blowout risk, creep, limited temp/pressure
2. Spiral Wound Gaskets
- Material: V-shaped metal strip + filler wound in spiral. SS316 + graphite/PTFE filler
- Temp/Pressure: High. 500°C, 250 bar. ASME B16.20
- Use: Process piping, refinery, steam, hydrocarbons
- Parts: Inner ring, sealing element, outer guide ring
- Pros: Handles fl**ge movement, temp cycling, good recovery
- Cons: Needs smooth fl**ge, careful installation
3. Ring Type Joint RTJ Gaskets
- Material: Solid metal ring. Soft iron, SS316, Inconel
- Temp/Pressure: Very high. 1000°C, 700 bar+
- Use: Oil & gas, wellhead, high pressure steam
- Types: Oval, octagonal cross-section. Fits ASME B16.5 groove
- Pros: Metal-to-metal seal, no blowout
- Cons: Needs perfect groove, high bolt load, not reusable
4. Metal Jacketed Gaskets
Material: Soft filler like graphite/ceramic wrapped in thin metal jacket
- Temp/Pressure: Medium-high. 500°C, 100 bar
- Use: Heat exchangers, diesel exhaust, boilers
- Types: Single jacket, double jacket, corrugated
- Pros: Filler gives conformability, metal gives strength
- Cons: Jacket can work-harden and leak if reused
5. Kammprofile / Grooved Gaskets
- Material: Solid metal core with serrations + graphite/PTFE facing
- Temp/Pressure: High. 550°C, 250 bar
- Use: Heat exchangers, reactors, steam lines
- Pros: Low bolt load vs RTJ, excellent seal, handles cycling
- Cons: Facing damage = leak. Expensive
6. Corrugated Metal Gaskets
- Material: Corrugated SS/copper with soft facing or by itself
- Temp/Pressure: Medium. 400°C, 60 bar
- Use: Exhaust manifolds, valve bonnets, low bolt load fl**ges
- Pros: Compensates for fl**ge warpage, low stress seal
- Cons: Not for high pressure
7. O-Ring Gaskets
- Material: Rubber ring. NBR, Viton, EPDM, silicone
- Temp/Pressure: Low-medium. -50 to 200°C, 100 bar
- Use: Hydraulic fittings, pump seals, valve stems, face seal fl**ges
- Pros: Cheap, self-energizing, compact, reusable if not damaged
- Cons: Needs groove, extrusion risk at high pressure