Magpie Sealing Technology Insights
Flanges and Gaskets – Forms of Sealing Gaskets (Part 11): Flat Metal Gaskets & Serrated Metal Gaskets
In the field of industrial sealing, metal gaskets are widely used as essential components in critical equipment due to their excellent mechanical properties and reliable sealing performance. Today, we continue our exploration of common types of metal gaskets, focusing on two key forms: flat metal gaskets and serrated metal gaskets.
Flat metal gaskets are the most basic form of metal gaskets, typically machined from a single piece of metal. They feature a simple structure and are easy to manufacture, making them suitable for a wide range of operating conditions.
Common types include:
Aluminum flat gaskets – Known for good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, ideal for low-temperature, low-pressure applications.
Copper gaskets – Praised for excellent ductility and sealing performance.
Stainless steel gaskets – Offer outstanding strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for harsher environments.
These gaskets are widely applied in sealing parts of pressure vessels, towers, tanks, valve covers, and more, ensuring safe and stable equipment operation.
Serrated metal gaskets are more specialized sealing components. Unlike metal jacketed or combination gaskets, these have no soft covering layer and rely entirely on the properties of the metal itself to achieve sealing.
Their surfaces are machined with precise concentric serrated grooves, which generate multiple sealing lines under compression. This groove design significantly enhances sealing performance.
However, due to the absence of a flexible sealing layer, these gaskets offer relatively lower overall sealing capability and can damage flange sealing surfaces under high pressure.
When selecting metal gaskets, several key factors should be considered:
Operating temperature and pressure range
Properties of the medium being sealed
Flange material and surface finish
Correct gasket selection ensures reliable sealing performance and extends the service life of both the gasket and the flange. In addition, proper installation and maintenance are crucial to the long-term reliability of the sealing system.
At Magpie Sealing, we specialize in solving low-emission sealing challenges. If you have questions or need guidance in sealing technologies, feel free to follow us, leave a comment, or get in touch. Thank you for reading! In our next installment, we'll continue exploring different types of sealing gaskets. See you next time!