Heat-Resistant Gaskets: What They Are and How They Work

Many manufacturers utilize heat-resistant gaskets to meet the specific requirements of applications requiring protection from extreme temperatures. There are many benefits to using high heat-resistant gaskets, which are available in a broad range of materials to adhere to industry standards and regulations.

Since 1933, Fournier Rubber & Supply Company has offered top-quality high-temperature gaskets, helping customers identify applications that demand this type of specialized product.

What Are Heat-Resistant Gaskets?

A heat-resistant gasket can withstand extreme operating temperatures, ranging between 350ºF (177ºC) and 2300ºF (1260ºC). The high-temperature material used to construct these gaskets delivers seals with superior reliability, far outreaching the capabilities of materials used to manufacture traditional gaskets.

Seals and gaskets constructed using high-temperature materials can perform well in applications that involve variable heat sources, such as:

• Flame
• Exhaust
• Combustible fluids
• Elevated temperatures

When using standard silicone rubber for manufacturing high-temperature sealing gaskets, the durable material can easily handle temperatures as high as 475ºF (246ºC). Special-grade silicone rubber is mandatory for all applications requiring higher temperature, fire, or thermal resistance.

Benefits of Heat-Resistant Gaskets

Using industrial high-temperature gasket material offers a wide range of benefits, such as:

Longevity

Over time, a high-temperature gasket proves to be a valuable investment. The material used to manufacture heat-resistant gaskets can withstand intense thermal conditions and, depending on the operating environment, can last much longer than traditional gaskets.

Durability

Using heat-resistant gaskets on components that come in contact with high temperatures can provide durability to the overall project. Available in a broad range of materials, high heat-resistant gas gaskets can be manufactured using PTFE (Teflon), graphite, natural rubber, and more. Each material offers distinct advantages for temperatures and specific working conditions.

High Performance

If a gasket cannot withstand the extreme heat of an application, the entire operation could fail. Gaskets keep two components separate from one another, and if that function fails, it could prove harmful to the manufacturing process. A domino effect can begin when containment is breached, weighing down production.

Using a heat-resistant gasket that can withstand high temperatures will enable performance at optimal capacity, keeping operations running efficiently.

More Versatility

Heat-resistant gaskets provide several options for use in a wide variety of applications, depending on their characteristics and temperature-resistant properties. Whether a project has limited exposure to a lot of heat or encounters extreme temperatures continuously, a heat-resistant gasket can prove beneficial in both cases.

Resistance to Degradation

The most common cause of containment failure is the degradation of gasket material and adhesives that cannot tolerate extreme heat exposure. Selecting a high-temperature gasket sealant with the required heat resistance properties prevents the product from degrading too rapidly.

Heat-Resistant Gasket Materials

Fournier Rubber & Supply Company offers premium sponge and solid rubber materials suitable for high-heat applications. In regards to elastomeric properties, the following materials are among the best high-temperature performers, with each providing a specific operating range that includes:

• Silicone: 400ºF (204ºC) to 500ºF (260ºC)
• Fluorosilicone: 400ºF (204ºC) to 500ºF (260ºC)
• Fluorocarbon (Viton^™): 400ºF (204ºC) to 500ºF (260ºC)
• EPDM: >400ºF (204ºC)
• Viton^™ Sponge: -40ºF to +450ºF (232ºC)
• Silicone Sponge: -100ºF (-73ºC) to +500ºF (260ºC)
• Conductive Silicone: -100ºF (-73ºC) to +500ºF (260ºC)
• Silicone Coated Fiberglass: 500ºF (260ºC)

Viton^® Sponge

This material plays an essential role where fluoroelastomers are required, providing a practical low hardness limit of 55 durometers. The material fills a void where softer material is needed but still demands resistance to heat and other fluids

Silicone Sponge

A silicone sponge protects or seals various outdoor lighting, electronic, or communication enclosures while offering improved sealing and durability. The material has a higher tear and tensile strength than lower-grade sponge materials, with a UL-94VO rating. Silicone sponge protects against fire, wind-driven rain, and small dust particles.

Viton^® Rubber

The high-performance rubber material is an ideal solution for containing fluids that traditionally lead to the rapid degradation of regular elastomers.

What Are Some Common Applications of Heat-Resistant Gaskets?

Sealing against exhaust and steam emissions and other high-temperature media requires a rigid, durable material that can withstand thermal degradation over fluctuating operating conditions. Non-asbestos fiber and mica gaskets prove beneficial, especially where oxygen exists and standard materials, such as graphite, would fail. Examples of these applications include the following:

• Exhausts
• Chimneys
• Steam boiler processes
• Refineries
• Fire protection
• Power generation
• Chemical processing
• Hydrocarbon processing

High-temperature gasket seals can efficiently withstand the demands of thermal applications. The rubber compound can handle applications that involve combustible materials or flames and solids, gasses, or liquids at extreme temperatures. The material used to manufacture high-temperature gaskets provides reliable sealing beyond the scope of standard gasket material performance.

Common applications requiring heat-resistant gaskets include the manufacture and processing of hot oils, saturated steam, engine operation, waste gas, and more. These applications demand high-temperature gaskets that can withstand intense temperatures and heat that often exceeds 500ºF (260ºC).

Contact Fournier Rubber & Supply Company for Top-Quality, Heat-Resistant Gaskets

Fournier Rubber & Supply Company offers a wide variety of top-quality, heat-resistant gaskets suitable for use in a broad range of industries and applications. We construct our products of the highest-grade material in the industry and can meet the demands of most applications.

Request a quote and our experienced team will help select a high heat-resistant gas gasket product to meet the specific requirements of your next project.