Industrial gaskets are fundamental components that aid in minimizing vibration, preventing leaks, and improving the mounting process by sealing joints. As a result, they are extensively used in various applications, including mining, refining, oil and gas, water treatment, electrical, and petrochemical sectors.

For over 100 years, Mercer Gasket & Shim has been custom manufacturing and distributing industrial sealing solutions, such as gaskets, shims, and molded rubber products. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, ensuring only premium products and services that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.

Types of Industrial Gaskets

Industrial gaskets are typically categorized by their function and material. Three of the most prevalent applications for various industrial gaskets are anti-vibration, sealing, and mounting.

Anti-Vibration Gaskets

Anti-vibration gaskets are utilized for any machines that generate vibration and frequency. They significantly reduce the amount of wasted energy by effectively reducing motion and noise. Moreover, they reduce the amount of any motion-induced damage.

Sealing Gaskets

Sealing gaskets are the most utilized type due to their capability to prevent leaks in industrial operations. They are frequently manufactured from rubber as it has an exceptional capacity to repel water and other contaminants.

Mounting Gaskets

Mounting gaskets constructed from the appropriate elastomer protect equipment displays from dust, impacts, and sometimes even liquids. In addition, they guarantee the integrity of their protection ratings despite the constant evolution of digital display technology.

Industrial gaskets are also categorized based on the materials used. Here are the most commonly used types:

Non-Metallic Gaskets

Non-metallic gaskets — also referred to as soft gaskets — are made from materials such as fiber, rubber, graphite, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). They are ideal for low-pressure flat-faced industrial applications due to their temperature tolerance, chemical resistance, flexibility, and strength.

Rubber Gaskets

Rubber gaskets are utilized in a range of industrial applications. They help prevent pressure loss and leakages in countless process equipment and operational systems. Moreover, as they are not universal, the rubber substance and gasket style may vary considerably based on the application.

At Mercer Gasket & Shim, we offer the following rubber/PVC material for gasket applications:

  • Butyl
  • Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)
  • Natural rubber (pure gum)
  • Neoprene
  • Nitrile
  • Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
  • Silicone
  • Vinyl
  • Viton®

Carbon and Graphite Gaskets

Carbon and graphite gaskets are one of the most reliable types as they are often resistant to corrosion, pressure, and temperature. They are also composed of durable low-friction material that forms an efficient seal that decreases energy losses and heat buildup.

At Mercer Gasket & Shim, we provide carbon and graphite gaskets resistant to most acids, alkalis, salt solutions, organic compounds, and high-temperature heat transfer fluids. We also offer the following high-grade carbon and graphite fiber materials:

  • Pure flexible graphite
  • Pure flexible graphite — metal inserted
  • Carbon or graphite/nitrile
  • Carbon or graphite/SBR

Ceramic Fiber Gaskets

Ceramic fiber gaskets are frequently used as insulating materials for delicate equipment and apparatus and for containing fuel, gas, and microscopic particles. They are commonly applied in the oil and gas industries and other high-temperature industrial applications.

Mercer Gasket & Shim designs and manufactures ceramic fiber gaskets in a variety of shapes, such as rope, flat, and Tadpole, for temperatures as high as 2300 °F. In addition, we utilize materials that are soft, lightweight, durable, and provide outstanding thermal properties.

PTFE and PTFE-based Gaskets

PTFE gaskets are resistant to chemicals, solvents, and acids, except alkali metals and fluorine gas. On the other hand, PTFE-based gasket materials can withstand significantly more harsh chemical conditions (such as strongly oxidizing environments) than typical non-asbestos gaskets.

PTFE is commonly utilized as a gasket material and is also classified as a food-grade substance due to its resistance to most industrial chemicals. This makes it appropriate for use in both the medical and food industries. Here are the three basic PTFE gasket material types:

  • Virgin PTFE: This is the least costly and is utilized for general applications.
  • Filled PTFE: This consists of a virgin PTFE base to which a material is added during production to enhance its sealing properties.
  • Expanded PTFE: This is a virgin PTFE to which stress resistance is added through molecular rearrangement during manufacturing.

At Mercer Gasket & Shim, we have Garlock, Thermoseal, and Gore-Tex brands of PTFE-based gaskets in stock. They are offered in thicknesses ranging from 1/32 in to 1/4 in.

Metallic Gaskets

Metallic gaskets are composed of one metal or a combination of metallic components. They are used for higher-quality surface sealing and are suitable for medium and high-pressure applications.

Mercer Gasket & Shim has been a leading manufacturer of custom metal and metal-jacketed gaskets for almost eight decades. We utilize high-quality metals — from aluminum and copper to Inconel and titanium — in varying thicknesses, with unlimited pressure capacities and excellent chemical resistance.

Here are the various solid gasket materials available:

  • 350 (Flat Solid): This is cut from sheet metal and is available in any size or shape.
  • 360 (Profile and Serrated): This gives a good seal with lower seating strains due to its surface grooves.
  • 315 (Corrugated): This is composed of thin metals and offers a seal at minimal seating tension.

Semi-Metallic Gaskets

Semi-metallic gaskets are composed of both metallic and non-metallic materials. They are built for the broadest range of temperature and pressure working conditions and are typically used in industries ranging from aerospace to refineries and chemical processing plants.

Jacketed Gaskets

Jacketed gaskets combine a metal jacket’s high-temperature resistance and the soft filler’s superior sealing performance. As filler materials, Mercer Gasket & Shim utilizes non-asbestos, flexible graphite, ceramic, PTFE, and corrugated metal for excellent compressibility and robustness. We also offer them in the following styles:

  • 300: Single jacket
  • 301: Single jacket with overlap
  • 305: Double jacket
  • 306: Double jacket with double shell
  • 330: Double gasket corrugated
  • 340 and 345: French-style jackets
  • 347: French-style jacket, two and three-piece construction

Spiral Wound Gaskets

Spiral wound gaskets are created by coiling alternate strips of metal and filler material. They are suited for applications requiring a gasket with the maximum level of elasticity and recovery. They also aid in maintaining seals in conditions of varying pressure and temperature. Moreover, they consist of a steel centering (outer), a spiral wound sealing strip (filler), and a unique steel inner ring.

Check out our spiral wound gaskets’ standard sizing charts to determine which size best suits an application!

Kammprofile Gaskets

Kammprofile (or camprofile) gaskets consist of a serrated metal core coated with a soft filler glued to each face. They are suitable for use with ordinary pipes and heat exchangers. At Mercer Gasket & Shim, we offer these gaskets in various materials, shapes, and styles, and they can be tailored to fit specific requirements.

Our sealing components consist of graphite and PTFE. On the other hand, the metals available are as follows:

  • 304
  • 304L
  • 316
  • Aluminum
  • Nickel 200
  • Monel 400
  • Titanium
  • Copper
  • And many more!

Common Industrial Gasket Applications

Mercer Gasket & Shim has over 100 years of experience handling complex requests for custom gasket solutions. Consequently, we have provided industrial gaskets for the following sectors and applications:

  • Refining
  • Power generation
  • Piping systems
  • Machinery
  • Chemical and petrochemical processing
  • Water and wastewater management
  • Oil and gas

Custom Industrial Gasket Capabilities From Mercer Gasket & Shim

Our skilled team of engineers at Mercer Gasket & Shim aids customers all across the entire gasket production process. This consists of material selection and reversed engineering design. Additionally, we offer computer-aided design (CAD) cutting and product and manufacturing information services to provide the most efficient technique possible.

Gasket Cutting

We provide the following gasket-cutting methods to cater to a wide range of customers’ specifications:

  • CNC waterjet cutting
  • Die cutting
  • CNC laser cutting
  • Knife cutting

Extruded and Molded Gaskets

Our highly qualified team of engineers will work with our customers’ existing designs or collaborate to build a gasket or seal that meets their specific requirements. Then, we will create extruded or molded gaskets with the tightest tolerances. We also use FDA-approved elastomers to produce gaskets of the highest quality.

Contact Us for Premium Industrial Gasket Solutions

At Mercer Gasket & Shim, our staff has the knowledge to promptly and accurately finish any custom gasket order. In addition, we are equipped with cutting-edge equipment to precisely manufacture gaskets from various materials. We are also committed to providing the highest quality gaskets to our customers by adhering to applicable industry standards and specifications.

Contact us to learn more about our custom gasket capabilities, or request a quote to start your next project with us!