About EPDM Pipe Gaskets
EPDM pipe gaskets are a gasket made of EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber) material, used for sealing and connections in pipe systems. Commonly used in applications such as industrial piping, construction piping, and water supply systems. They are usually installed at pipe joints, flange connections or other connection points to ensure sealing performance and prevent leakage of liquid or gas.
Special Features
■ Chemical corrosion resistance: EPDM material has good corrosion resistance in many chemical substances. It can resist the erosion of various chemical media such as acids, alkalis, salts and some solvents, so it is widely used in pipeline systems that need to be in contact with different liquid media.
■ High temperature and low temperature resistance: EPDM gaskets are able to operate within a certain temperature range, typically withstanding high temperatures up to 150°C (302°F) and low temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F) . This makes it excellent in pipe applications that need to withstand high or low temperature environments.
■ Good weather resistance: EPDM material has excellent weather resistance and can resist the influence of natural environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, oxygen and humidity. This gives EPDM pipe gaskets long life and stable performance in applications outdoors or exposed to sunlight.
■Excellent sealing performance: EPDM pipe sealing gasket has good elasticity and compression deformation, and can provide reliable sealing effect. They fill gaps between pipe connections or joints and prevent the leakage of liquids or gases.
■ Safety and hygiene: EPDM materials comply with many industry standards and specifications, such as food grade certification, water treatment certification, etc. This makes EPDM pipe gaskets ideal for applications involving the food, drinking water and medical industries with high safety and hygiene requirements.
Sealing principle
The sealing principle of EPDM pipe sealing gasket involves the following aspects:
1. Compression deformation: EPDM pipe gasket has good elasticity and compression deformation. When a gasket is installed between pipe connections or joints, it compresses and deforms due to the applied pressure, filling the gap in the connection. The elastic restoring force generated by this compressive deformation will be exerted on the connecting part to form a seal.
2. Filling gaps: EPDM gaskets have certain plasticity and can fill irregular gaps and surface unevenness in the connecting parts. When the gasket is under pressure, it will adapt to the shape of the connected part and fill the gap to prevent media leakage.
3. Pressure and friction: When the pipe connection is tightened, the applied pressure will increase the sealing force between the gasket and the connecting part. EPDM material has certain friction characteristics, which can increase the sealing effect and prevent leakage.
4. Elastic recovery: EPDM material has good resilience, that is, when the applied pressure disappears, the gasket can quickly return to its original shape. This elastic restoring force ensures that the gasket can maintain good sealing performance even under changes in temperature and pressure in the piping system.
What is the Minimum/Maximum Thickness for Pipe Gaskets?
The thickness of a pipe gasket is governed by several requirements. The condition of the surface of the flange face has an important part to play. A thicker gasket may be required for a poor-quality surface, as it will flow into and take up the deformities on the face ensuring a good seal. With a clean and smooth flange face, a thinner gasket can be considered.
Pressure and media are other factors that can decide the thickness of the gasket required. Putting too thick a gasket into a flange joint will increase the surface area that the system pressure can work against. For this reason, as a general rule: the thinner the gasket the better.
Common thicknesses of gasket material for pipe flanges are 1.5mm and 3mm.
What Standards Cover Pipe Gaskets?
The most common standards are:
BS10:2009: British Standard specification for flanges and bolting for pipes, valves, and fittings.
DIN: Deutsches Institut für Normung (the German Institute for Standardisation).
ANSI: the American National Standards Institute.
ASA: the American Standards Association (now ANSI).
ASME: the American Society of Mechanical Engineers The ASME B16.47 Series A and B took over from MSS SP-44 (Series A) and API 605 (Series B).
ISO: International Organisation for Standardisation.
JIS: Japanese Industrial Standards.
Made to Measure Flange Gaskets
Some pipes or tanks are fabricated for particular purposes and as such do not conform to set standards and dimensions. For these situations, we manufacture bespoke pipe gaskets in either small batch quantities or as one-off specials.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you require a standard size or a special then please contact us with the dimensions and we will be able to tell you.
How to Specify a Pipe Gasket
If you know the standard size of gasket you require then we will simply need to know: the material required; the thickness required; whether you need full-faced or IBC gaskets and the quantity.
If the part is special, in addition to the above information we will also need to know: the outer diameter (O.D.), the inner diameter (I.D.), the pitch circle diameter (P.C.D.), and the number of holes.
We may also need to know: the operating conditions (chemical resistance required, operating temperature, operating pressure, and state of the flanges).
Flange Bolt Tightening Sequence
To obtain a leak-free flange connection a proper gasket installation is needed. The bolts must be given the correct bolt tension and the total bolt strength must be evenly divided over the whole flange face.
On the first pass lightly tighten the first bolt then the bolt directly across, or 180º from the first bolt. Move 90º round the pipe for the third bolt and then directly across for the fourth. Continue this sequence until all bolts are tightened.
More information can be found on our Gaskets product page.
The above information is for reference only. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
