Silicone Rubber Gaskets are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and have many different applications. These gaskets are widely used in all types of industry and these can include, the engineering industry, the aircraft industry, the building industry and the catering industry, to name just a few. They are very commonly employed between two or more surfaces, where leaks of fluid or air need to be contained. The surfaces are brought together and the silicone rubber gasket is compressed which produces an excellent seal. In the case of silicone O rings where some motion may be required, lubrication is very often achieved by the fluid being sealed.
Because of the properties of the silicone these gaskets can take on many forms such as;
Mitre cut letter box shape
Horse shoe shape
O ring shape
Silicone has very versatile properties due to its ability to resist extreme temperatures, and moisture repelling qualities.
It is commonly used in adhesives, sealants, medical applications, cookware, insulation and lubricants. Silicones are polymers which are made from chemical elements and include oxygen, hydrogen and silicon.Silicone has several useful properties and some of these can include;
Low toxicity
Thermal Stability
Water Repelling
Good resistance to sunlight and oxygen etc.
Non-stick
Good electrical insulation
Silicone gaskets are mechanical seals used to prevent leakage between two surfaces. Gaskets usually require some form of compression, and therefore some degree of yield or some form of de-formation is required by the gasket. Silicone rubber gaskets are ideal for such applications. An O-ring for example is an extremely versatile type of silicone gasket, and is commonly employed in all types of pipe-work and plumbing applications, and will even allow a small amount of motion between the two surfaces whilst efficiently sealing them.
Different types of silicone gaskets can include;
Silicone gaskets
Solid silicone gaskets ( commonly used on metal closures)
Sponge silicone gaskets
Silicone foam gaskets (closely related to sponge gaskets)
Injection moulded silicone gaskets
Foam gaskets of the opened cell type can be used for dust seals or shock and vibration gaskets. Closed cell is mainly used for environmental seals.
Silicone Rubber Gaskets
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ezuser_ 6920- 2010/11/27 00:46:42 am
Good article and well explained. I see Good resistance to sunlight and oxygen as one of most important property.