- Types of plumbing gaskets
- Rubber gaskets
- Silicone gaskets
- Paronite gaskets
- Fluoroplastic gaskets
- Fiber gaskets
- Manufacturer of plumbing gaskets kits
Plumbing gaskets and rings are used to seal the connections between the various elements of water supply system and sewage, including pipes, fittings, faucets, gates, valves and other components of plumbing equipment, which in one way or another need a reliable seal. Over time, gaskets age, wear out, thus the connections lose their tightness and begin to leak. That's why it's handy to always have a replacement gasket on hand. In order save time looking for the store at first, and then looking for the necessary gaskets in the store, we recommend to get one very useful thing, namely – a plumbing gaskets kit, which comes in handy in every house. And the more varieties there are in a kit, the better, because you never know what gasket you might need.
As an example, consider a MasterProf Universal Rings and Gaskets Kit, which is a convenient plastic box with a tightly closing lid, divided inside into cells, where a variety of the most common plumbing rings and gaskets are sorted and stacked. For your convenience, a table of sizes and types of rings and gaskets in each cell is printed on the inside of the lid.
MasterProf Universal Kit includes:
· EPDM O-rings;
· Union O-rings;
· Fluoroplastic gaskets;
· Rubber gaskets;
· Transparent gaskets;
· Paronite gaskets for gas;
· Rubber gaskets for plugs;
The listed gaskets are divided in the box according to their size and purpose; their quantity is enough to provide your house with all the necessary materials in case of plumbing repairs or a sudden small accident.
Types of plumbing gaskets
There are several types of plumbing gaskets, each designed for a particular type of connection – when choosing the right product, we recommend to consider the following:
- Type of connection;
- The size of the connection;
- The material of which the connection elements are made;
- The temperature conditions at which the connection will be operated (ambient temperature)
- Temperature of the fluid to flow through the piping (whether the temperature will change and with what frequency);
- The pressure in the system;
- What will be transported through the pipeline.
Based on these factors, a suitable gasket can be selected from a material that provides maximum reliability and tightness of the connection. So, you can find plumbing gaskets on sale made of the following materials:
- Plumbing rubber;
- Silicone (silicone gaskets);
- Paronite;
- Fluoroplast (teflon; PTFE);
- Fiber.
The correct choice of gasket depends on the following factors:
- Compatibility of gasket material with the contents of the pipeline;
- Suitable size and shape for the connection;
- Ability to retain its properties at a certain temperature and pressure in the system;
- Service life.
High-quality gaskets, applied in accordance with their intended use, must remain tight for an acceptable period of time and be able to withstand all the stresses acting on it.
Rubber gaskets
Rubber gaskets are the most common options for sealing various types of joints, because of their low cost and versatility
They are made of solid or semi-hard rubber and have the following characteristics:
- Service life of 1-2 years;
- Withstand a pressure of 10 bar;
- Used at temperatures not exceeding 100 °C.
The material has a high resistance to abrasion, does not conduct electricity, and also has a low cost. Among the disadvantages we should note a relatively short service life (on average up to 5–7 years depending on operating conditions). Therefore, it is advisable, during plumbing works, to replace the installed gaskets with new ones, even if they do not have significant external defects.
Silicone gaskets
Silicone gaskets are used in pipelines, the temperature of which does not allow the use of rubber analogues. In general, this type of product is similar in its parameters with the previous type of gaskets, but has some advantages:
- More flexible than other plumbing gaskets;
- Odorless (compared to their rubber analogues);
- Versatile use;
- Can withstand pressure up to 10 bar;
- Temperature range from -50 °C to +280 °C;
- Resistant to aggressive media;
- Service life is about 20 years.
Disadvantages of silicone plumbing gasket:
- High price (compared to rubber products);
- You should control the force of tightening the connection;
- A lot of fakes. If ignited, the silicone gasket does not combust.
Silicone gasket applications:
- Hot water supply is the best application of silicone gasket;
- Cold water supply;
- Heating;
- Food industry (food silicone);
- Medicine (medical silicone).
Silicone products, including gaskets, have a high elasticity, neutral odor, bio inert composition, and an increased service life. They are very popular and versatile for both industrial and domestic applications, but differ from the rubber one in higher price.
Some manufacturers prey on customers by passing off transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products as silicone gaskets. Although PVC gaskets in general are quite good (they can even successfully replace the rubber gaskets) and even have a similar appearance to the silicone gaskets, they differ significantly in their properties, including the conditions of use.
Making sure that the you have really purchased a silicone gasket is easy enough, you should simply use a lighter. If you bring the silicone gasket to the fire, nothing happens, but the PVC product instantly ignites and turns black.
Paronite gaskets
Paronite serves to seal plumbing flange joints. It has higher technical characteristics than other materials. Always pay attention to the type of product when selecting a paronite gasket. The type of gasket will determine the area of application.
Types of paronite gaskets:
- General purpose;
- Acid-resistant;
- Oil-resistant;
- Reinforced;
- Unreinforced;
- Asbestos;
- Asbestos-free.
The advantages of paronite gaskets:
- Resistant to pressure:
- Reinforced paronite – 64 bar (for higher technical characteristics, paronite is reinforced with a metal net)
- Unreinforced paronite – 40 bar. - Temperature range: -60°C to +450°C.
- It does not corrode at contact with metals and alloys.
- Resistant to aggressive media.
- Irrespective of operating conditions, the properties of paronite gaskets do not change.
- It is difficult to damage such gasket when tightening because of its rigidity.
- Service life of paronite gaskets in domestic conditions is at least 5 years.
Disadvantages of paronite gaskets:
- There is one relative disadvantage. The maximum thickness of a paronite gasket is 6 mm.
Application of paronite gaskets:
- Hot water supply.
- Cold water supply.
- It is the best gasket for gas supply systems.
- Heating systems.
- Food industry.
- Automotive industry.
The technological process of production of paronite consists of layer-by-layer rolling under pressure of a mixture of filler(s) and rubber solution in its solvent, followed by vulcanization under pressure. The composition of the outer and inner layers of paronite is different for better adaptability of its gasket surface to the irregularities of the contacting parts of the sealed joint.
Paronite belongs to asbestos products and is manufactured by thermoforming plants. In the manufacture of paronite both natural and synthetic rubbers are used in an amount of 10-18%, which is a binder polymer substance. The properties of paronite also depend on the length (quality) of asbestos fibers added in an amount of 40-80%. Asbestos can be replaced by polyaramide (Kevlar) fibers.
Depending on paronite grade, the following substances may be used as fillers:
Kaolin (5-10 %) – helps to increase strength and oil resistance of paronite;
Alumina – helps to increase thermal and acid resistance, durability, resistance to aggressive media;
Barite (10-40 %) – helps to increase resistance of paronite to acids and alkalis;
Iron black carbon (5-10%) – helps to increase thermal resistance and resistance to some media of paronite and facilitates rolling during production;
Burned magnesia – helps to increase thermal resistance of paronite;
Graphite (5-10%) – helps to reduce sticking of paronite to the parts being joined;
Carbon black (1-10%) – basically plays the role of colorant for paronite;
Rubber solvents (petrol, ethyl acetate) – used during production;
Sulfur (up to 10%) – used during production for paronite vulcanization, bis-furylidenehexamethylenediamine is used instead of sulfur if paronite is used as part of fluorocarbon rubber;
Vulcanization gas boosters – such as Tiuram, Captax, Altax, Santokur, Diphenylguanidine;
activators of vulcanization gas boosters – zinc oxide;
Fungicides – give tropical resistance to paronite.
Fluoroplastic gaskets
Fluoroplastic (Teflon, PTFE) gaskets are particularly resistant to corrosive environments. Quite a soft material, but with a very high density. When tightening a threaded connection, the PTFE gasket cannot be squeezed out, unlike a rubber or silicone gasket.
Advantages of fluoroplastic gaskets:
- Temperature range -250 °C – +250 °C.
- Pressure up to 160 bar.
- Service life of more than 10 years.
- Resistant to corrosive media.
- Is not subject to aging and corrosion.
- High wear resistance.
Disadvantages of fluoroplastic gasket
- A relative disadvantage is its high price.
Application of fluoroplastic gasket
- Absolutely harmless and can be used in food and medical industry.
- Best option for heating systems.
- Hot water supply.
- Cold water supply.
- For gas supply systems.
Fluoroplastic (Teflon, PTFE) gaskets are particularly resistant to corrosive environments. Quite a soft material, but with a very high density. When tightening a threaded connection, the PTFE gasket cannot be squeezed out, unlike a rubber or silicone gasket.
Made of fluoroplastic plumbing gaskets act as the least common type of joint sealing, which is due to their high cost, but they are one of the most reliable and durable.
Teflon gaskets are used in industrial facilities with high thermal and chemical loads, and Teflon does not stick, does not age and, if necessary, can be easily removed. Among the other positive qualities of the material we should note its absolute harmlessness to health and good dielectric properties, and among the negative – high cost and low compressive strength. In addition to domestic plumbing applications (sealing taps and pipe connections), fluoroplastic gaskets perform well in radiators, towel racks, gas lines and various kinds of compressors.
Fiber gaskets
Fiber is a compressed paper mass, used as an insulating material impregnated with a special composition. Fiber gaskets swell on contact with liquid, which has a positive effect on the sealing of the thread connection. Fiber differs in the scope of application depending on the brand of material.
In everyday life technical fiber (FT) is used, when in contact with oxygen, oxygen-resistant gasket fiber (ORP) is used, for contact with aggressive media castor-glycerine fiber (GCF) is used.
Advantages of fiber gaskets
- The maximum pressure up to 40 bar.
- The pressure in heating systems up to 10 bar.
- Temperature range from -40 ° C to +120 °C.
- Resistant to aggressive media.
Disadvantages of fiber gaskets
- The gasket is nonreusable.
Application of fiber gaskets
- For oxygen pipelines.
- For gas pipelines.
- Well tolerates contact with gasoline, kerosene, machine oil.
- Hot water supply.
- Cold water supply.
- For heating systems.
The product is designed for connections such as cap nuts, union nuts, fittings, plugs and so on. Among the disadvantages are that these are nonreusable gaskets (i.e. after unscrewing the connection sealed with a fiber gasket, the old gasket must be replaced by a new one), as well as the use of these gaskets is possible only for fixed connections.
Manufacturer of plumbing gaskets kits
MasterProf has been a manufacturer of various kits of plumbing gaskets for more than ten years. The company's product range includes both small mono-sets – kits that feature several gaskets of the same size, and repair kits, which can be grouped by what can be repaired with the gaskets in a given set. For example:
- gasket kits for faucet repair;
- gasket kits for trap repair;
- gasket kits for faucet stem repair;
- gasket kits for fittings repair;
Also in the range of non-specialized sets of gaskets, with which you can and fix the faucet and fix the shower hose leak. They include
- Rubber gaskets;
- Gaskets for herringbone mixer tap;
- Gaskets for the aerator with internal and external thread;
- Rings for switching of domestic and imported mixers and spouts;
- Rubber rings for faucet stems;
- Shells for faucet stems;
- Tablets for domestic and imported faucet stems;
- Rubber bushings (steps) for domestic and imported faucet-boxes;
- Plastic locking half-rings for domestic and import spouts.
In our catalog you can buy plumbing gaskets that are suitable for a variety of tasks. Our team of experts is always happy to provide professional advice and guidance on choosing the right plumbing gaskets, as well as to advise our customers if they have any doubts or questions. We deliver goods throughout Russia and offer a variety of payment options.
