If you have ever disassembled a fridge, water pump, engine, or any other kind of machinery that transmits fluids or liquids, you will most likely have seen a gasket. Gaskets are essentially the same as a seal but the difference is that seals are used between two surfaces that move or rotate whereas gaskets are used between stationary surfaces.
While this is a very small component, a faulty gasket can be a major problem as they play an important role in the performance and operation of the machinery they are attached to.
What Are They Made Of
To take good care of the gasket you need to know what it is made of. To provide the kind of maintenance that the gasket needs you need to know how the material will behave in certain conditions. This way you can try and control the environment it is in or get a different gasket that will withstand those conditions more effectively. Generally, gaskets are made from rubber, silicone, metal, cork, or a composite material. All these materials have a certain temperature rating, they have a service life and they may or may not need maintenance to operate smoothly.
In some applications, the gasket is made from the same material that the machine it is operating in is made of. In other cases, it can be a completely different material. For instance, if you have a metal gasket in a machine, it will be prone to rust and it can also crack and chip if exposed to sudden changes in temperature. In this case, you will want to make sure the gasket is protected from water and moisture and that it is relatively insulated so as to keep temperatures constant.
Taking care of the gasket also depends on the application. Gaskets are used in machines that can be employed for a variety of tasks. Everything from energy production machinery, to agricultural equipment, to automobiles, use gaskets to connect different parts of the machine. For instance, you will find that gaskets are used in multiple areas of a car’s engine such as the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold.
These gaskets are usually made of silicone or rubber and they are designed to remain flexible so they can expand and contract with the temperature of the engine. According to Wc Munsch & Co, such gaskets have a defined service life. After a few years of use, they need to be replaced because even though they aren’t damaged the material of the gasket loses its elasticity which means they can no longer provide the tight seal that is needed. When the seal weakens the engine starts to drip oil, it starts to produce smoke, it becomes inefficient, and also loses power.
Similarly, gaskets are used commonly in water pumps of all kinds. For example, submersible water pumps have gaskets on the pump body as well as the motor body to prevent water from outside from entering the system and to stop water from leaking out of the pump. Good gaskets in water pumps help to maintain pressure and also protect the electrical components from water damage.
Submersible pumps spend their lives submerged in water so plastic gaskets are more efficient in this case. Plastic gaskets can last a very long time and, if the pump is used properly, they may never have to be replaced. However, since they are made of plastic and are more rigid, they are more prone to breaking and chipping. This is a common problem that occurs if the water pump is moved carelessly or experiences sudden shocks. This will cause water to enter the system and it could ruin the electrical coils in the motor body.
There are a few things you can do to ensure that your gasket lasts longer and provides good service during that time. However, these tips will vary depending on the machine in question. For instance, with gaskets in automobiles, you should make sure they aren’t exposed to any sharp objects and they are directly in contact with very hot surfaces.
This could rupture or melt the gasket from the outside and the problem could easily reach the inner part of the gasket. Even though car gaskets are made of rubber it is not very easy to repair them so the only option is to replace the gasket with a new one. In the case of manifold gaskets or even engine head gaskets, this can require quite a bit of time to do. Ideally, you should note down when you had the last gasket installed and get it changed periodically.
Another good strategy is to always replace gaskets whenever the machine is disassembled. Even if the gasket was fine prior to disassembly, get a new one when you put the machine back together. Since the gasket is exposed to so much pressure it can easily get deformed. As long as it is inside the machine the deformity doesn’t impact its performance since it has already molded to the shape of the flange or the body that it is connected to. Once it opens it can be impossible to put back together.
Similarly, if you are opening the gasket, make sure you properly clean the contact surfaces before installing a new gasket. Bits of the gasket can be stuck to the flange and when you install a new one the uneven surface will prevent it from getting a proper seal. Make sure the surface doesn’t have any remnants of the last gasket, oil, dirt, debris, or any other contaminant.
Installing gaskets is a bit tricky so if you are doing this yourself make sure you know how to properly do it or get a professional to help you out. Moreover, make sure you have the right sized gasket and one that is made from the right material before you install it. The wrong material could melt and ruin the machine, it could catch fire or could compress under pressure and cause the flanges to come together and get damaged. If possible, you should be checking the gasket periodically for signs of wear and tear, and if you see anything dangerous, replace the gasket right away.
Article written by Allen Brown.
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