Wound gaskets are one of the most common types of industrial parts and can be used for many different things. It is a mechanical seal that fills the space between two or more surfaces that fit together to stop leaks. There are many different kinds of gaskets on the market today. Out of these, spiral wound gaskets are thought to be good for a wide range of uses. They are thought to be the most reliable and to require less clamping force than other types of gaskets.
What are Spiral Gaskets Wound?
In each layer of these gaskets, there is a mix of filler and metallic material. The metal layer gives the structure support, and the filler material acts as a seal. The gasket is made of metal or stainless steel with a lot of carbon that is wound in a spiral outwards. Filler materials are wound in the same way but from the other side. A metal strip in the shape of a V is used to wind the spirals. The outer metal layer keeps the gasket in the middle and controls how much pressure is put on it. The inner filler layer makes the gasket more flexible and rigid in one direction.
How does a Spiral Wound Gasket work?
Flexitallic spiral wound gaskets are used in many fields, including pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, food processing, nuclear power plants, petrochemicals, and more. Here are a few important things you need to know about spiral wound gaskets –
- They seal even in commercial and industrial settings with very heavy use.
- Their shape makes them very good sealants. They stop water, gas, or air from going through.
- These gaskets make normal operations run better and keep people safe.
- They can be used with gases, acids, steam, alkaline, oil, liquids, and other organic solvents and media.
- The materials used to make these baskets are chosen based on how well they can bend and then spring back.
- They can be used with gases, acids, steam, alkaline, oil, liquids, and other organic mediums and solvents.
- Because of their unique qualities, they are perfect for high-pressure, high-temperature applications.
- They can also be used in chemical plants, storage facilities, cryogenic facilities, and other places where the temperature is low.
- These gaskets can be used to pressure vessels, seal flanges, boilers, heat vessels, tube covers, valves and compressors, handheld covers, and more.
- They do a good job of compensating for stress and sealing reliably and consistently, even when the pressure changes.
- Even if the surfaces are a little bent or corroded, these can still seal.
- They work best when the bolt loads change or are low.
- These gaskets can handle more pressure, last longer, and stretch back to their original shape.
- These are carefully made solutions that can stand up to any harmful or corrosive substance.
- Different styles and materials are used to make these gaskets so that they can be used in different commercial and industrial settings.
Materials of Spiral Winding
The sealing part of a spiral wound gasket is made by alternating layers of metal winding strips and a filler material that is woven together. In this type of semi-metallic gasket, the part that seals is the formed metal strip.
The most commonly used for winding are:
- Duplex
- Nickel
- Nickel alloys
In The Bottom Line
Most of the time, spiral wound gaskets are made of steel with graphite and asbestos in the middle. A spiral wound gasket can be used in a lot of different processes and industries. For every use, there is a spiral-wound gasket that will work. So, learn as much as you can about basic wound gaskets to find the right one for your commercial and industrial needs.
