GASKET FABRICATORS TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
The Technical Handbook available from the Gasket Fabricators Association, describes gaskets, processes and gasketing materials. Its objective is to acquaint the users of gasketing products with industry standards for production methods, procedures and dimensional tolerances and is a useful guide for gasket designers and gasket purchasers.

Included in the publication scope are descriptions of measurement methods, part identification systems, material thickness, tolerances, and dimensional characteristics. A section is dedicated to quality assurance and statistical process control. Also described are processing equipment and materials.

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GASKET ENHANCEMENTS
A gasket is a material or combination of materials clamped between two separate members of a mechanical joint. Its function is to effect a seal between the members (flanges) and maintain the seal for a prolonged period. The gasket must be capable of sealing the mating surfaces, impervious and resistant to the medium being sealed and able to withstand the application temperature and pressure.
Most non-metallic gaskets consist of a fibrous base held together or strengthened with an elastomeric binder. The combination of the binders and base chosen depends on the compatibility with components and the conditions of the sealing environment as well as the load bearing characteristics required for the application.

Important properties for effective sealing performance, in a gasket material, include:

Chemical compatibility
Heat resistance
Compressibility
Recovery
Creep relaxation
Erosion resistance
Compressive strength
Tensile strength
Shear strength
Dimensional stability

Given today’s stringent environmental standards, user customer warranty requirements and consumer expectations, the traditional stand alone fiber or non-fiber materials such as PTFE, Flexible Graphite, and Plastic sealing technologies, may not effectively meet these requirements.

We have developed a listing of value added enhancements (not all-inclusive) that when combined with the correct base, can offer significant sealing improvements.

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TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Each issue of the GFA’s newsletter, The Gasket Fabricator, includes technical articles. Click here to download articles that appeared in recent issues.
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