Spiral wound gaskets are one of the most important components in various industries due to their multifaceted sealing characteristics. If you’ve been meaning to explore more about the construction and benefits of spiral wound gaskets, then this article will provide you with more information about its uses and advantages.
What is a spiral wound gasket?
A spiral wound gasket is a metallic gasket commonly used in industrial pipings consisting of an outer ring, inner ring, and sealing element. It is used for leak prevention, sealing, padding, and protection against environmental elements. With proper installation, a spiral wound gasket can resist high temperatures and pressures.
What are its components?
Metallic strips. The spiral wound gasket has these metallic streets that are made up of different materials like stainless steel, Inconel, or graphite. Depending on what it will be used for, choosing the right material is important, as it also needs to be compatible with the right properties of the gasket.
Filler. Based on the name itself, this material is sandwiched between the metallic strips and the centering ring to provide more resilience. This material is usually made up of asbestos-free materials, graphite, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Centering ring. To keep the gasket intact and aligned, the centering ring is used so there won’t be any movements during installation or operation.
Advantages of using a spiral wound gasket.
Spiral wound gaskets are popularly used in the oil and gas industry to seal pipelines, valves, and even flanges. It’s also widely used to seal chemical reactors and heat exchangers in the chemical industry. Here are the factors why this component is used in the respective industries.
Flexibility. To withstand distortion and misalignment, a gasket needs to be flexible, which is why this spiral wound is a popular choice in both the oil and chemical industries.
Resiliency. Surface imperfections can cause misalignment, which is why the resilience of a spiral wound gasket is commendable because it can withstand such conditions.
Durability. Given how there are a lot of industries situated in harsh conditions and extreme weather, the spiral wound gasket’s metallic strips and fillers add to its durability.
Versatility. Another popular reason why the spiral wound gasket is popular is because it can be used in a variety of applications, from corrosive and extreme environments to high-pressure ones. This component is ideal for either static or dynamic sealing uses.
Customizability. Apart from being versatile, it’s also valued for being highly customizable and can fit any needs and preferences.
What are the uses of spiral wound gaskets?
As mentioned earlier, spiral wound gaskets are used in various industries and are prevalent in the following:
- Oil and gas.
- Petrochemical
- Chemical processing.
- General manufacturing.
Because of their many useful characteristic features, spiral wound gaskets are crucial components of various industries. Made up of metallic rings, fillers, and centering rings, these important parts help add flexibility, resiliency, and versatility to its uses. The spiral wound gasket’s customization makes it a suitable choice of component for a diverse range of applications in different industries.