Gaskets are employed in every boiler, steam, and hot water system. They’re utilized to prevent leaks in exhaust ducting and wherever pipes are connected, as well as around access and inspection handholes and manholes.

The spire and graphite fillers are used in the construction of boiler handholes, tube caps, and manhole gasket covers, which are suitable for corrosive, high pressure, or high-temperature applications.

Shapes of Gasket

Gaskets are mainly designed to seal the handhole and manhole components of a boiler. Elliptical gaskets are oval in shape and feature a continuous curvature. Obround gaskets have radius ends and parallel straight sides.

Gaskets for boilers are available in a variety of materials. EPDM is the most common rubber gasket, and it can tolerate hot water and steam temperatures up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. EPDM gaskets come in a variety of sizes, die-cut and molded.

Advantages of Gasket

• Chemical resistance is outstanding
• Surface design that puts safety first
• Specific operating conditions are linked to a high level of safety.
• Compression loads that are proportional to the assembly’s safe stress levels
• Resistant to fluctuating and intense loads
• Uninterrupted long-term lifespan
• The maintenance time is reduced by half
• a low cost combined with the consistently high-performance standard

Now, you are familiar with the advantages and types of gaskets. The next steps are how its life can be increased. Here are some suggestions for extending the life of your gasket.

Tips For Longer Life of Gasket

In many installations, handhole and manhole gaskets, as well as pipe flange seals, must last at least 12 months. Their lifespan, however, is determined by the quality and frequency of use. Read the following points to gain a better understanding: –

1. Don’t expect any rubbery substance to suffice. Purchase high-quality boiler seals from a trusted source. (EPDM are the best because they can withstand steam.)
2. Thoroughly clean the areas that will be sealed. Only the metal surfaces should be in contact with the new seal, not scale, rust, or old seal fragments.
3. On the seal or flanges, do not use any adhesives, sealants, or anti-seize chemicals. When the joint is tightened, this can reduce friction and allow the seal to move.
4. The seal should be centered in the flange. Clamping loads are spread equally across the surface as a result of this. Failure to do so results in areas of high and low load, reducing gasket life and allowing leaks to form.
5. Reduce the amount of seal surface area that is exposed to the atmosphere. Hot air causes the seal material to oxidize, shortening its life. Add barriers to guard against hot air, if necessary.
6. Don’t tighten the joint too much. This speeds up the process of the material forming a compression set, resulting in premature failure.
7. Gaskets should never be reused.

It’s well worth the money to invest in high-quality boiler gaskets, but be cautious when installing them. If the job is done correctly, the seals will last at least a year.

Keep in mind- When a boiler gasket fails, the results are usually disastrous.