What Is a Silicone Gasket?
Silicone Gasket is a gasket made of silicone (thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer).
Gaskets are sealing materials that are installed between parts in non-movable sections of piping and fixtures to maintain airtightness, watertightness, oiltightness, and other sealing properties. There are two types of gaskets: sheet gaskets that are molded to fit the installation location, and liquid gaskets that are applied and solidified in liquid form to achieve airtightness and pressure resistance.
Depending on the material, heat resistance and chemical resistance vary. Silicone Gaskets are resistant to high temperatures and chemicals and are characterized by their durability. Although molded products are also available, the term “Silicone Gasket” is often used to refer to liquid gaskets.
Uses of Silicone Gaskets
Silicone Gaskets are widely used in industry because of their high durability, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. The following are examples of applications of Silicone Gasket:
- Packing material for automobile engine cylinder heads and valve covers
- Gasket material for aircraft engines, turbines, fuel pumps, valves, etc.
- Sealing material for industrial equipment where cleanliness is important, such as medical equipment and food processing equipment
- Sealing material in high-temperature, high-pressure environments in the manufacturing processes of electronic components and semiconductors
- Sealing materials for building materials, rainwater drainage facilities, piping, and chemical industry equipment that require weather and chemical resistance.
Silicone Gasket is widely used as a high-performance sealing material in these industrial fields, taking advantage of its characteristics. In addition, because of their excellent flexibility, they can be cut into various shapes and sizes.
In addition, they are available in a wide range of colors, and gaskets in a variety of colors have been developed to suit different applications.
Principle of Silicone Gaskets
Silicon is a compound made by combining reduced silicon dioxide with organic acids such as methyl alcohol, and is a very stable substance with both organic and inorganic properties. They are used in a variety of applications, from gaskets for faucets and rice cookers, where they may be taken into the body, to gaskets for engine oil channels, where heat resistance and oil resistance are required.
Molded gaskets are thick and may leak due to dents and deformation over time, but liquid gaskets have the advantage of being able to seal even complex shapes with comparative ease, and not leaving behind dents in the material. There are various types of silicone liquid gaskets, and it is necessary to select the type to be used according to the location where the gasket is to be used.
The sealing effect of Silicone Gasket is created by its flexibility and elasticity. By cutting it into various shapes and adhering it to the area to be sealed, it can seal gases, liquids, and other fluids without leaks.
The material silicone is a compound of reduced silicon dioxide bonded with an organic acid such as methyl alcohol. It has both organic and inorganic properties and is extremely stable. It is chemically stable, and is characterized by its resistance to oxidation and decomposition, as well as its low bioactivity.
Because of its low bioactivity, it is used in gaskets for applications where it may be taken into the body, such as faucets and rice cookers. Its high heat resistance also makes it useful as a gasket for engine oil flow paths, for example.
Molded gaskets are thick, and over the course of use, they become worn and deformed. Liquid gaskets have the advantage of being able to seal even complex shapes more easily than molded gaskets, and they do not warp. On the other hand, there are some drawbacks, such as the long curing time.
Types of Silicone Gasket
There are various types of Silicone Gasket. The following are examples of Silicone Gasket types:
1. Sheet Type
Silicone Gasket material is cut into sheets for use. The flexibility and elasticity of the rubber material allows it to be cut into various shapes.
However, accurate cutting is necessary because the sealing effect depends on the accuracy of the cut. Also, the sealing effect varies depending on the thickness and hardness, so the appropriate thickness and hardness must be selected according to the environment in which it will be used.
2. Metal Clad Type
This type of Silicone Gasket has metal clad to its surface. It combines the characteristics of both metal and Silicone Gasket, and provides high durability and high sealing performance.
3. Rigid Core Type
This type of Silicone Gasket has a rigid core (metal or resin core) sandwiched in the center of the gasket. This type of Silicone Gasket is stronger and more durable against compressive force.
4. Multi-Layer Type
This type of gasket consists of multiple layers of Silicone Gasket. It has excellent durability and sealing performance.
5. Liquid Type
This type is made of silicone rubber in liquid form. It is applied with a dedicated nozzle to provide a sealing effect as a gasket. It can be applied to a variety of shapes and has excellent sealing effect due to its adhesiveness.
However, treatment of the applied surface is necessary because it will not adhere unless the applied surface is flat. Also, the work is not finished immediately because it requires time to fully cure.