What is a tanged gasket?
Tanged gaskets are metal (typically carbon steel or stainless steel) punctured through a perforating process and combined with facing materials (commonly fibers, graphites, and other high-temperature materials). They are usually 3 layers, and the “fingers” or “tangs” in the punctured metal are attached to the facing through a combining process creating a mechanical bond. Oftentimes, no adhesive is required.
Applications for Tang gaskets
Gaskets with tanged inserts are typically found in high-temperature and high-pressure seal points. The tanged insert provides radial strength which helps to prevent blowouts. These gaskets are often used in exhaust, head gaskets, intake manifolds, turbochargers, EGRs, catalytic converters, etc. Generally, the mechanically bonded materials are perfectly suited for exhaust environments and remove the concern that an adhesively bonded product might delaminate in the same heat.
What is the Value to a Tanged Core?
Mechanical bonds for tanged core gaskets
With tanged core, there is a mechanical bond holding the material together, so as not to depend on a chemical bond that may degrade with heat exposure. Exhaust gasket composition benefits greatly from this mechanical bond to ensure the material retains its integrity both at and beyond the intended operating conditions.
Handling strength of tanged gaskets
The tang core provides strength for handling, often bonding high-temp materials that would be weak if unsupported, creating a robust material with the metal reinforcement. Handling in installation is a huge benefit.
Tang gasket radial strength
The other strength issue is radial strength. This provides blowout resistance. The tang core provides a physical barrier and containment mechanism to hold the facing in place over the life of the joint.
As compared to a glued laminate, the facing cannot extrude away from the core.
Tang gasket durability
In addition to handling strength in assembly, the tang core also provides durability in the application. It serves to contain the seal’s facing in place to resist expansion and contraction due to thermal growth of the flanges.
Flange loading
Tanged core helps to provide load retention (torque retention of the fasteners). It does this by offering the metal structure providing “pushback” against the flange. The tangs create a “load stop” and structure, shouldering the load and preventing the facing from crushing under high load spots.
As you can see, it is hard to go wrong with a tanged core gasket material. Combined with the appropriate facings, this is a core that can meet the requirements of high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
This article was gleaned from MTI gasket's articles on tanged gaskets.
Looking for tang core gaskets? Reach out to us via gfssales@gallagherseals.com and our sales team can assist you with a quote.