Gaskets for Abrasive Media Applications


Choose gasket materials wisely for resistance to abrasion and wear

Gasket performance and wear can be greatly affected by abrasive forces exerted by the media being sealed. Gaskets for abrasive media applications are specifically engineered to resist the wear and tear resulting from abrasive media.

Abrasive media contain suspended substances, usually minerals or inorganic solids, which are harder than the material they rub against. The resulting abrasion will wear out and damage softer materials such as gaskets and packing. Many industrial fluids, such as slurries, are abrasive in nature. In addition, naturally occurring abrasives, such as sand, stones, calcium carbonate or ferric oxide, can also be found in waste water and fluids.

Abrasive media can shorten the service life of gaskets and compression packing (see our blog Compression Packing for Abrasive Applications). When dealing with abrasive media applications, it is important to choose gaskets fabricated from rubber compounds which have proven abrasion-resistance. The following compounds are excellent choices for producing gaskets for abrasive media applications:

SBR rubber, commonly known as “Red Rubber”, is a synthetic polymer which offers good abrasion resistance. SBR is a copolymer of styrene and butadiene and has properties similar to Natural Rubber. SBR is highly resilient and commonly used because it is cost-efficient and has the ability to deform to uneven flange edges. SBR (red rubber) exhibits excellent impact-strength, high tensile strength, abrasion resistance, heat resistance, and sustains flexibility at lower temperatures.

Hypalon® is one of the most durable elastomers. It demonstrates almost complete resistance to UV/ozone and will not degrade with long-term sunlight exposure. It has excellent resistance to abrasion, oil, most chemicals and acids, and it also possess good dielectric strength, and low moisture absorption. Hypalon® gaskets are often a preferred choice for industrial, automotive and petrochemical applications.

Glass filled PTFE sheet, such as Teadit style NA 1525, offers higher resistance to wear and abrasion than standard PTFE sheet.

Polyurethane is the toughest and most abrasion-resistant of all elastomeric materials. Polyurethane is a unique versatile material that provides the elasticity of rubber combined with the durability and strength of metal. Polyurethane consistently outperforms plastic, rubber and steel in its capacity to resist harsh environmental factors such as abrasion, heat, oil, acid, solvents and aggressive chemicals.

Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) can produce gaskets for abrasive media applications which will solve your abrasive media challenges. We can produce gaskets from wear-resistant materials which have been proven to withstand abrasive media applications. All gaskets are fabricated using the latest production techniques, including water jet cutting, flex/flash cutting, and die cutting.

To find out more about our abrasive-resistant gaskets, contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.