GYLON EPIX™ is a family of gaskets that effectively seals a broader range of applications and is more forgiving during the installation process.  It allows the end user to save valuable turn-around time, reduce re-work, and lower costs, helping them to finish ahead of schedule and under budget.

GYLON EPIX™ features a hexagonal surface profile that provides the torque retention and blowout resistance of a thin gasket and the conformability of a thicker gasket.  GYLON EPIX™ Style 3504 EPX is a high performance, aluminosilicate microsphere filled PTFE sheet material designed for use in moderate concentrations of acids, and caustics, as well as hydrocarbons, refrigerants, and more.

INDUSTRY

Chemical

CUSTOMER

Phosphate Processor

GYLON EPIX™ is a family of gaskets that effectively seals a broader range of applications and is more forgiving during the installation process.  It allows the end user to save valuable turn-around time, reduce re-work, and lower costs, helping them to finish ahead of schedule and under budget.

GYLON EPIX™

When sealing raised or flat face flanges, there are two choices of gasket shape: ring-type or full-face.  Each has its own advantages, so you should know which will best suit your application before ordering and installing. First, let's discuss the types of flanges in which gaskets are installed.

Flange Faces

Different types of flange faces are used as the contact surface to seat the sealing gasket materials.  ASME B16.5 and B16.47 define various types of flange facings, including the raised face, the large male and female facings which have identical dimensions to provide a relatively large contact area.

Raised Face (RF) Flanges

The Raised Face flange is the most common type used in process plant applications, and is easily to identify. It is referred to as a raised face because the gasket surfaces are raised above the bolting circle face. This face type allows the use of a wide combination of gasket designs, including flat ring sheet types and metallic composites such as spiral wound and double jacketed types.

The purpose of a RF flange is to concentrate more pressure on a smaller gasket area and thereby increase the pressure containment capability of the joint. Diameter and height are in ASME B16.5 defined, by pressure class and diameter. Pressure rating of the flange determines the height of the raised face.

Over time, and for any number of reasons, flanges are prone to surface deviations.  Damaged areas will tend to create a leak path that the gasket must try to seal.

Flange damage most commonly occurs when removing previously used gasket material from the sealing surface - tools such as chisels, or screw drivers, should be avoided. A brass wire brush is suggested.

The video below proves how well GORE® Gasket Tape Series 500 works on flanges with surface deviations versus a standard filled PTFE gasket.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwuxtiFbxH0[/embed]

There are a plethora of choices when it comes to gasketing material.  But if you are in the food processing, it is crucial that every item that makes contact with the gasket is left unaffected.  And although silicone is inherently non-toxic, only a specially formulated food grade silicone is fit for use with consumables.

Silicone is an ideal elastomer to use if you require FDA-approved rubber.  Since there is an emphasis on rubbers being suitable for repeated use in the food processing industry, silicone is ideal being that the material is not susceptible to harmful microbial agents or other contaminants.  Food grade gaskets and seals should be able to function for long periods of time without falling prey to harmful contamination, or degradation.

A spool of GORE® Gasket Tape Series 500 provides an immediate, cost-effective solution to sealing challenges that demand reliable performance and extended durability. This advanced product, with its industry-leading creep resistance, is designed to maximize the operational reliability of large steel-flanged applications, especially those with thermal cycling.

It eliminates the lag time, costs and complexities associated with engineering, specifying, procuring, shipping, storing and installing traditional one-piece prefabricated gaskets.  It also delivers exceptionally reliable sealing performance, while making multiple gasketing installations faster, more cost-effective and simpler.

Gallagher Fluid Seals is proud to present its latest video, on the subject of environmentally designed static seal gaskets.

In the clip below, Brian Gallagher, our key accounts manager, discusses the value of using these gaskets and explains how Gallagher

Personal safety is important in every industry, but when sensitive, hazardous or unstable chemicals are involved, the need to protect employees from exposure becomes paramount. The Garlock® family of companies creates sealing solutions that resist the extreme temperatures and corrosive materials of chemical processing environments to deliver unparalleled safety, performance and reliability.

Garlock sealing solutions excel in a variety of chemical processing applications — including pumps, valves, reactors, flange joints, heat exchangers and more — through their tireless dedication to understanding their customers’ specific needs and designing highly engineered products that exceed their expectations.

Never content to rest on past achievements, Garlock’s scientists and engineers are constantly developing new and innovative sealing technologies that change the way the chemical processing industry meets its sealing requirements. By combining advanced technology products with exceptional service and environmental stewardship, Garlock delivers sealing solutions that improve personal safety and plant productivity, reduce costs and comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.