Looking to stock up on gaskets? It’s a smart idea to buy replacement gaskets before your current ones need replacing, so that you can minimise equipment downtime and keep up a productive workplace.

But if you’re not properly storing your gaskets, this could lead to a shorter shelf life, costing you more money in the long run.

Steamline Engineering, Australia’s top gasket retailer, is here to explain gasket shelf life and the best practices for gasket storage.

Gasket life: knowing the factors at play

Gasket shelf life is influenced by several factors. These include the material they’re made from, the environmental conditions they’re subject to and how they’re stored:

• Materials
  Different materials have different shelf lives and are impacted by storage and time in different ways. While a metallic gasket may last a long time in storage, rubber gaskets are more susceptible to aging and environmental factors. Always check with the manufacturer or retailer on the recommended shelf life of a gasket – Steamline is more than happy to answer your questions. Understanding the specific properties of the gasket material is key for determining its shelf life.
• Environment
  Temperature, humidity, light exposure – these are the environmental conditions we should consider when assessing gasket shelf life. High temperatures, for example, can lead to quicker deterioration of rubber gaskets. Humidity and sunlight exposure can also lead to material degradation. It’s recommended to store gaskets in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
• Storage
  Ensuring your gaskets are stored safely and properly is another factor in their shelf life. For example, stacking gaskets on top of each other, or underneath heavy objects could cause them to warp and bend before you’ve even used them, so it’s best to keep an ordered system when it comes to gasket storage.

How to store your gaskets properly

Want to extend the shelf life of your gaskets? Follow these tips:

• Proper packaging
  The original packaging of a gasket is designed to keep it dust-free, moisture-free and protected from other environmental factors. Always keep shelved gaskets in their original packaging.
• Store them flat
  Like we said, hanging and stacking gaskets can cause them to warp, so store them flat in drawers.
• Environmental controls
  Keep your gasket storage area cool and dry, and preferably with windows covered up.
  

Store your gaskets properly and enjoy a longer lasting, more reliable gasket. Steamline Engineering is Australia’s #1 supplier of high quality gaskets. We choose top manufacturers like Carrera and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.

Gaskets not doing their job properly? Ask them this: “are you thick?!”

They won’t respond, because they’re gaskets. But if the answer is a ‘no’, then this could be your problem.

Unlike our staff members, we often want our gaskets to be sufficiently thick. Gasket thickness can have a huge impact on performance and in this post, we outline why.

Steamline Engineering explains gasket thickness and why we’re your #1 choice for better quality gaskets in Australia.

Gasket thickness for certain applications

Thicker gaskets are typically used on equipment with large diameter flanges (of over 1.5 metres). They’re also preferred in low-pressure applications, equipment with minimal bolting, and where there is little to no high internal pressure. This is because thick gaskets can fill irregularities better than thin gaskets in these applications, and they can be compressed a larger amount without the additional bolting capacity.

In these applications, thin gaskets can’t provide the tight seal necessary, due to the lack of compression and uneven flanges, creating an increased risk of leaks.

Thick gaskets for filling irregularities

Thicker gaskets also create a more effective seal for damaged or warped flanges, and are better at filling flange irregularities due to their ability to compress more. This extra compression gives thicker gaskets a better ability to fill deep scratches and low spots on flange surfaces.

So if your equipment has limited bolting capacity, limited compression, and thin or warped flanges, you’re much better off investing in a thick gasket for that extra compression and deeper fill ability.

Be careful of creep relaxation

With a thicker gasket, you may experience higher creep relaxation. Creep relaxation is when a gasket compresses over time, increasing the gap between the two mating surfaces and increasing risks of leaks. This requires the bolts to be torqued down further, maintaining an appropriate compressive load. Make sure you’re doing routine checks on equipment with thicker gaskets, ensuring the bolts are sufficiently torqued.

Steamline Engineering: your home of gasket thickness

Whether you need a razor-thin gasket or a thick gasket, Steamline Engineering has got you covered. We specialise in gaskets of all thickness, ensuring your equipment is running optimally and is leak-free. We’re Australia’s first choice team for gaskets, and here’s why:

• Suppling exclusively high-quality gasket manufacturers like Carrera and Firefly
• Nation-wide shipping available
• Fast, efficient service
• Range of other products such as tapes, valve seals and packing materials
• Excellent customer service with friendly, dedicated staff

Steamline Engineering can help you when you need a thicker gasket. We have a range of gaskets in all shapes and sizes, made from a range of materials like metal, PTFE, graphite, rubber and more. No matter your application, we’ll have the right gasket for you. Browse our range and make an order today.

Let’s say you’re shopping for peanut butter. It’s easy to test whether or not peanut butter is good quality. You can look on the back of the jar, check out the ingredients and compare two different brands. One might have added preservatives and lots of sodium, while the other one might be completely natural and contain nothing but peanuts. Simple choice, right?

Well, when it comes to gasket shopping, there are similar things to look out for. We can test gaskets for quality and reliability, which is what Steamline Engineering does when it agrees to supply gaskets from a certain manufacturer.

Here’s how we test gaskets for quality and reliability so that we’re able to exclusively supply the best gaskets Australia has to offer:

Precise measurements

As an industry professional, you know the importance of a tight fitting gasket. A gasket has got to fit like a glove, and the measurements listed on a gasket have to match up to a T. This is essential for maintaining consistency in machine operation, making sure everything works as intended, every time.

Quality material assurance

So how do we know our gaskets are made of good stuff? There are a couple of ways to test this: non-destructive and destructive testing methods. Non-destructive tests, like x-rays and ultrasonic testing, show us the structural integrity of components. Destructive tests, such as tensile testing, reveal the mechanical properties and durability of the materials. Once a gasket has been tested in both destructive and non-destructive ways, we know it’s good to go.

Environmental controls

Gaskets might look good on paper, but their quality and reliability has to stack up in the real world, too. This is tested by exposing parts to environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and pressure to evaluate their performance and durability in real-world situations. This ensures they can withstand whatever conditions they might face without compromising functionality, giving you a durable, reliable gasket.

Performance tests

Leak testing, pressure testing, and compression testing, are also conducted to assess the effectiveness and reliability of your gasket. These tests simulate real-world scenarios to identify any potential defects or weaknesses that could impact performance and lead to leaks or pressure drops. It’s sort of like putting your gasket through a boot camp to make sure it’s up to the task.

We hope this clears up any questions on how gaskets are teste for reliability and quality build. Steamline Engineering conducts rigorous gasket testing on the regular, ensuring that our customers only get the best quality gaskets on the market. Supplying the world’s best gaskets from trusted brands like Carrera and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s top team for gaskets, seals, thermal tapes, valve packing materials and more.

We all want to do our bit for the environment, and we can all make simple changes to our daily routines which reduce our carbon footprint. Whether your aim is to pay more attention to what goes into the recycle bin, start composting, or use less water, it all starts with the small things.

Running a business gives you even more opportunities to lower your environmental impact. Switching to more environmentally-friendly processes at work is a great way to do your part for the planet.

Part of this might include looking at environmental factors when selecting gaskets for your equipment. Are some gaskets better for the environment than others? Here, Australia’s experts at Steamline Engineering explain:

Choosing the right gasket for the right application

An easy way to help the environment when selecting gaskets is to choose the right gasket for the right application. This way, you’ll get more use out of each gasket before they degrade, need replacing, and end up in landfill.

For example, if you were to use a rubber gasket where a metallic gasket would be preferred, the rubber gasket would degrade very quickly if exposed to certain chemicals, and would need to be discarded.

Choosing the right gasket is important for longevity and durability, getting as much life out of your gasket as possible. This saves a gasket from being wasted and thrown into landfill.

Choosing a reputable gasket manufacturer

You should also consider the gasket manufacturer when concerned about environmental factors in gasket selection. Chances are, a reputable manufacturer of high-quality gaskets will have more advanced environmental processes than cheap gasket manufacturers from China.

That’s part of the reason why Steamline Engineering only selects high-quality gaskets from reputable brands like Carrera and Firefly. These gasket manufacturers are renowned for making high-quality gear, which lasts longer than cheaper alternatives and is therefore better for the environment.

Consider your gasket supplier

And finally, it’s important to look at your supplier and their regard for environmental best practice. Some gasket suppliers have a larger carbon footprint than others, marked by overpackaging, use of paper rather than paperless processes, and other factors.

Steamline Engineering care about the environment and is constantly improving our processes to reduce our carbon footprint. We’re mindful of overpackaging, especially when it comes to shipping gaskets to your business, and are taking up more and more paperless processes.

Together, we can make a big difference in helping the environment. Steamline Engineering is Australia’s #1 supplier of high quality gaskets. We choose top manufacturers like Carrera and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.

You can have the most expensive equipment, the highest quality gaskets and the most skilled staff – but if your gasket compression isn’t effective, you’re going to run into some serious problems.

Leaks, equipment damage, safety hazards – these are all the risks of poor gasket compression.

Here, Steamline Engineering explains gasket compression and why it’s so important for businesses like yours.

What is gasket compression?

Gasket compression is the degree to which a gasket is compressed or squeezed between two mating surfaces, creating a seal. When properly compressed, a gasket fills any irregularities on the surfaces it seals, preventing the passage of fluids or gases. The compression of the gasket is typically achieved by tightening bolts or clamps that hold the flanges together.

Why is gasket compression so important?

Why is gasket compression such a big deal? Let’s explain:

• Maintains a tight seal
  Gaskets are designed to seal the gap between two mating flanges. Compression plays a vital role in creating a tight, effective seal, preventing leaks.
• Maintains pressure of application
  Many applications that use gaskets require a strong, consistent pressure while in operation. Compression is also crucial for delivering this pressure by preventing leaks, which can cause pressure drops.
• Prevents equipment damage
  Leaks often result in equipment damage, either by harmful substances escaping and corroding the equipment, or by reducing the effectiveness of lubricants and coolants.
• Maintains safety of equipment
  Following on from this, using damaged equipment is a huge safety concern which could lead to an incident in your workplace – so gasket compression can directly impact workplace safety, too.

What factors influence effective gasket compression?

Want to ensure that your gaskets are providing effective compression at all times? Here’s what you need to consider:

• Gasket material
  Different gasket materials possess varying levels of malleability which affects compression. For example, a rubber gasket is far more compressible than a metallic gasket, and might be more appropriate for your equipment (depending on the temperature, pressure and fluid used in your application).
• Bolt torque
  Bolt torque influences effective compression. If one bolt is torqued down more than another, the compression won’t be even. The bolts of your equipment should always be evenly tightened for effective compression.
• Flange condition
  Your gasket may be brand new and ready to go, but if your equipment’s flanges are worn or uneven, your gasket won’t be able to maintain effective compression. Always ensure your flanges are in great condition before installing a new gasket.

Got a question about gasket compression? Just ask the team at Steamline Engineering. No matter which type of gasket you’re after, Steamline Engineering has the right type of gasket for your application. We stock loads of gaskets from excellent manufacturers like Carrera and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.

‘We’re just not that compatible’ – it’s a generic line in a movie you’ll hear during a break-up scene. And although it might be cringy to hear during a romcom, it’s an important quote to remember when it comes to gaskets and fluids.

Sometimes, they’re just not that compatible!

Using a certain fluid on an incompatible gasket is a serious mistake to make. It can lead to gasket damage, reduced efficiency and even a hazardous situation for your workplace.

So, here, Steamline Engineering – Australia’s #1 gasket retailer – outlines the importance of gasket compatibility with different fluids.

Gaskets and fluids: understanding the basics

Gaskets are made from several different materials, such as metal, graphite, rubber, cork, PTFE and others. Each of these materials has certain properties that make them either compatible or incompatible with different fluids.

For instance, rubber gaskets are known for their excellent resistance to oils and fuels, while they’re not resistant to strong chemicals and acids. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) gaskets are highly resistant to water, steam, and certain chemicals, while they’re incompatible with fuels and oils.

Common gaskets materials and their compatible fluids

Some of the most common gasket materials and their compatible fluids include:

• PTFE
  PTFE is a strong, durable material which is often used in gaskets. It’s compatible with many fluids, including almost all chemicals, acids, fuels, solvents, fuels and oils.
• Graphite
  Graphite is known for its excellent resistance to high-temperature steam, oils, alkalis and acids.
• Cork
  Cork is compatible with fluids such as low-pressure oils, alcohols and fuels, while incompatible with high-temperature fluids, fuels and alkalis.
• Metallic
  Known for their strength and resilience, metallic gaskets are highly compatible with high-temperature steam, oils and fuels, but are (depending on the metal) not compatible for strong acids and chlorinated chemicals.

Risks of ignoring gasket-fluid compatibility

The risks of ignoring compatibility between gaskets and fluids are dire. Leaks, equipment damage, increased maintenance costs and safety hazards are all potential consequences of applying to wrong gasket to the wrong application.

How to choose the right gasket and the right fluid

Choosing the right gasket for the right fluid is simple: just check your manufacturer’s recommendations and contact the team at Steamline Engineering if you have any questions about our gaskets. Our team has excellent product knowledge and can find the right gasket for your equipment.

Choose Steamline Engineering for your next gasket order. No matter which type of gasket you’re after, Steamline Engineering can help you out. We stock loads of gaskets from excellent manufacturers like Carrera and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.

There’s no point buying a sportscar if you don’t know how to drive a manual. And similarly, there’s little point in upgrading your gaskets if you’re not installing them properly.

Gasket installation is a crucial part of the process, one that can significantly impact your gasket’s performance, durability and even the condition of your equipment.

Here, Steamline Engineering outlines several common gasket installation mistakes and how to avoid them:

Failure to inspect other components

When you take apart a component to install a new gasket, it’s important to inspect the other components of your equipment, in case they’re damaged or warped. A damaged flange will only wear out a gasket quicker, so there’s no point in buying a brand new gasket if there are other problems with your machinery. Check everything meticulously before installing a new gasket.

Failing to clean components

While the gasket is removed, use this as a chance to clean the surfaces and bolt holes before you install the new gasket. Make sure that the bolt threads and the holes of the bolt threads aren’t dirty or galled – otherwise, your gasket won’t be able to be tightened properly.

Installing an incorrect size

This is a surprisingly common mistake to make when installing gaskets. One of the best ways you can ensure you’re buying the exact size of gasket you need is to cross-check the part numbers. If you don’t have the part number of your gasket, call up the team at Steamline and they’ll be able to identify and source an appropriately-fitting gasket for your application.

Tightening the bolts and fasteners incorrectly

As you know, bolts and fasteners require a correct sequence when being tightened. Make sure you’re following the correct sequence of tightening the bolts and fasteners when installing a gasket, so that the pressure is distributed evenly and that the gasket is perfectly aligned when installed. Otherwise, you risk misalignment of the gasket.

Lubricating too much, or not enough

If you use too much or too little lubrication, then you’re back to step one. Never use sealers or lubricants where you shouldn’t: rubber gaskets, for example, should never need lubricants or sealants. On the other hand, always lubricate or seal where it is necessary – just consult the gasket experts at Steamline Engineering if you’re unsure.

Follow this guide and your gasket installation will be a piece of cake, providing years of durable, high-intensity use. At Steamline Engineering, we provide top-of-the-range metallic and non-metallic gaskets across Australia. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s finest supplier of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

If you’re working with high-pressure, high-power or high-temperature equipment, chances are there are two words you’ll know all too well: compliance and safety.

These concepts are paramount to the work that you do, preventing accidents from occurring which could result in harm to your staff and damage to your vital equipment.

So, when it comes to replacing and upgrading your gaskets, compliance and safety should be at the top of your mind. In this post, Steamline Engineering explain gasket standards and regulations so that you can successfully comply with Australia’s safety protocol.

Australian Standards on gaskets

There are several Australian Standards on gaskets and gasketing. These are in place to ensure that all gaskets are compliant and safe to use, and that these gaskets are used in the correct way.

Some of the main Australian Standards on gaskets include:

• AS 1931: specifies requirements for non-metallic gaskets used in general-purpose applications.
• AS 2118.1: provides guidelines for the selection and installation of gaskets for flanges in piping systems.
• AS 2683.1: outlines requirements for metallic spiral-wound gaskets.
• AS 2683.2: specifies requirements for non-metallic flat gaskets for pipe flanges.

Gasket regulations: a closer look

Since Steamline Engineering supplies gaskets for general purpose applications and specialised metallic gaskets, let’s take a closer look at the standards and regulations relating to these areas:

• Ensuring compliance with AS 1931
  Australian Standard AS 1931 focusses on non-metallic gaskets used in general-purpose applications. This provides guidance on choosing appropriate gasket material based on factors such as the type of fluid or gas being sealed, operating temperature and pressure, flange conditions, and compatibility with other materials in the system. It also covers the correct installation of gaskets, and determines performance under stressors like chemical attack and compression.

• Ensuring compliance with AS 2683.1
  Australian Standard AS 2683.1 focusses on metallic spiral wound gaskets and their use in flanged joints subjected to pressure and temperature fluctuations. This set of standards includes everything from winding strip and filler material to marking and packaging.

Where to buy compliant gaskets that meet standards and regulations

At Steamline Engineering, we only sell high-quality gaskets which meet all relevant Australian Standards. Our quality brands like Carrara and Firefly are trusted in Australia and internationally as being some of the best gaskets on the market. By investing in quality gaskets from Steamline, you can avoid compliance breaches and keep your business safe and efficient.

At Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, known for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

When you’re buying some cheap kitchenware items from Kmart, you’re not too fussed about product quality. You’re paying $3 for an item that cost around 20 cents to make, and it’s part of the unwritten contract that your spatula or garlic crusher probably won’t be the best of its kind, or last that long.

But when it comes to gaskets, things couldn’t be more different.

While nobody’s going to get hurt if your cheap garlic crusher stops working, gaskets play a much more important role than just preparing ingredients for a delicious pasta (although we know the importance of pasta, too).

Quality assurance is vital when it comes to gasket manufacturing, and we probably don’t have to explain why. But for good measure, let’s outline a few reasons why you should always look for quality-assured gaskets when it’s time to replace or upgrade.

Quality gaskets prevent machinery damage

When choosing gaskets, a quality assurance doesn’t just affect the use of the gasket itself: it affects your equipment as a whole. Should a low-quality gasket be installed on an expensive, high-pressure piece of equipment, there’s a significant risk of gasket failure which can damage other components of your machinery.

A quality-assured gasket from a reputable brand like Carrara, for example, eliminates the risk of damaging your expensive machinery which is paramount to the operation of your business. When assessing your choice of gaskets, think beyond the cost of the gasket itself and instead look towards the cost of replacing your equipment due to gasket failure… it becomes much easier to pick quality gaskets every time!

Quality gaskets are more durable

Having to replace gaskets regularly is costly, time-consuming and stressful. But with quality-assured gaskets, this problem is less of a concern. High-quality gaskets are more durable and reliable than their low-quality counterparts. So, you’re saving time and money by choosing a gaskets with quality assurance supplied by the team at Steamline Engineering.

Quality gaskets improve efficiency and running costs

Fluid leaks and fugitive emissions – if you operate a business with equipment that relies on gaskets, you’ll have heard these terms before. Not only are leaks and fugitive emissions a sign that your equipment isn’t functioning as well as it could be, it’s also costing you in terms of running costs – and this is often down to gasket quality. Quality-assured gaskets help to improve efficiency in your business, reducing running costs.

Quality gaskets prevent serious workplace accidents

But most importantly of all, quality assurance equals safety assurance. Don’t put your team members at risk by choosing low-quality gaskets. Prevent the preventable by investing in quality-assured gasket brands.

At Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, known for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

With practically anything, design affects performance. It’s the reason a great Formula One driver can go nowhere in their career if they’re driving a poorly-designed car, or why footy ruckmen are always tall, or why sumo wrestlers are always large.

Imagine competing in that sport and weighing 80kg, when the average weight of a sumo wrestler is 150kg… it simply wouldn’t work!

But moving on from sumo wrestling, we’re here to discuss gasket design and how this can affect performance when it comes to sealing ability. Here, Steamline Engineering outline the key ways in which gasket design drastically affects performance.

Material

The choice of material is one of the most influential factors on how well a gasket can perform its sealing duties. Metallic gaskets and paper gaskets are both widely used in a variety of applications, but they could never be substitute for one another. While metallic gaskets are mostly used in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, like pressure vessels and chemical processing, paper gaskets are used in plumbing fixtures, lawnmowers and other household applications.

Swapping these materials would likely result in poor seal integrity, showing that design is important when choosing the correct gasket.

Conformability and resilience

So, why does the material make such a big impact on seal integrity? A lot of this has to do with conformability and resilience. Gaskets should possess sufficient conformability and resilience to adapt to irregularities in mating surfaces and maintain a consistent seal under varying operating conditions. Flexible gasket materials, such as elastomers or non-asbestos fibres, can conform to surface imperfections and withstand thermal expansion, vibration, and movement without compromising seal integrity. Metallic and graphite gaskets, on the other hand, don’t possess the same conformability and are therefore less suitable for sealing imperfections.

Chemical resistance

Material choice also determines chemical resistance – an important factor for industrial applications. Some gaskets are designed to withstand chemical attack from corrosive fluids, gases and vapours. Metallic gaskets are a great example; they’re used in oil and gas production, petrochemical processing and marine applications.

Manufacturer and brand reputation

But design isn’t just influenced by material. There’s another equally important factor at play: who’s making the gasket? Manufacturer and brand reputation can’t be ignored when it comes to seal integrity for gaskets. Two gaskets, made from similar materials for similar applications, may be completely different in seal ability, with a high-quality brand outperforming its low-quality counterpart again and again.

But at Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, renowned for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.