Understanding Spiral Wound Gaskets

By Author: Stevan Gerrand
Total Articles: 53
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Spiral wound gaskets are quite a bit different than other types of gaskets. While many gaskets are made of just one material, spiral wound gaskets are made up of a mix of filler material and metallic material. In most cases, the metal used in spiral wound gaskets is stainless steel or some other kind of carbon rich metal. It typically winds outward in a circular shape, although it is possible to find spiral wound gaskets that are in other shapes.
Usually the filler material, which is usually some kind of flexible graphite, winds around in the same shape as the metal, although it starts on the opposite side. This creates a very strong gasket that is made of alternating layers of metal and filler material. The filler is what actually works as the sealer in this type of gasket, while the metal creates a skeleton for the gasket to be held up by. Spiral wound gaskets can be used in many different type of applications, especially if lower clamping forces than what a solid gasket can handle are needed.
When choosing spiral wound gaskets, it is important that you think about the maximum temperatures that you will have ...
... to deal with. Different filler materials are made to handle different temperatures. Here are the maximum temperatures of some of the most popular types of filler material:

Mica – 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Flexible graphite – 842 degrees Fahrenheit
PTFE – 500 degrees Fahrenheit

Many spiral wound gaskets are used for flanges or joint seals. Since there are so many different kinds of filler material available in these types of gaskets, it is important to consider the precise job you need the gasket for. Not every gasket will work properly for every application.
It is essential that you have someone who understands all of the properties of each kind of gasket and the materials it is made from. You may even discover that one kind is actually better for what you need than another kind. The only way to find exactly what you need is to ask someone who has experience working with these products each and every day. You definitely don’t want to risk injury by purchasing a gasket that isn’t appropriate for precisely what you need it to do. Remember this when you planning to use it.

Since 1983, Blaylock Gasket and Packing has manufactured and distributed a broad range of high temperature gaskets, silicone gasket, epdm gaskets, foam gaskets in the southwest United States.