What is a Gasket?
Gaskets are everywhere – in your home, your phone, your car. “Gasket” is a common term for a shaped piece or ring of rubber or other material sealing the junction between two surfaces. As you’re about to learn, there’s more to gaskets than preventing leaks, but don’t blow a gasket trying to figure out what they are and how they work – we’re about to cover it in the article below.
So, What’s a Gasket?
A gasket, also known as an o-ring or washer, is a deceptively complex device that seals the gap between two surfaces. They’re usually made of rubber and come in different shapes, diameters, and sizes depending on their intended purpose.
Gasket or Seal?
Since the word “seal” can be used as a noun and a verb, many people confuse gaskets with seals and use both interchangeably. While seals serve a similar purpose, there’s a major difference between the two. Gaskets and seals form barriers between two objects to keep them from leaking. However, seals protect at least two moving parts (whether only one of the parts moves or both) and are commonly composed of flat and round washers, like the kind found in faucets. Two static seals make up a gasket. These seals allow two static, non-moving parts to be locked together.
Properties of a Gasket
The ideal gasket will seal and protect against corrosion, abrasion, vibration, impact, and extreme temperatures.
The best material for a gasket will have good flexibility, low density, and high tensile strength. Many materials with these properties also possess a resistance to chemicals and durability.
That said, strength is the most important feature of any gasket. Your gaskets must have enough strength to withstand pressure without deforming under normal conditions so they can create a tight seal for as long as possible.
Where are Gaskets Used?
Gaskets make an appearance in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, hydraulics, pharmaceutical, fiber optics, military, and medical (all of which Apple Rubber is proud to serve). Basically, if it needs sealing and stays still, it’s probably using a gasket.
You can do a scavenger hunt around your home for gaskets and find them everywhere – in water faucets and around windows, in appliances like your refrigerator or AC unit, and in the engine of your car.
So, even though gaskets are often referred to by names like washers and o-rings, they all serve a vital purpose across many applications.