Is Gasket Sealer Necessary?

If you are fitting a gasket to an assembly, you may be wondering if you need to use gasket sealant. A gasket already provides a protective buffer between the two surfaces, so what more would gasket sealant add to the join? Let’s take a look at what sealers actually do and how they may be necessary in certain applications.

How Sealers Work

Gasket sealers are used to hold the gasket in place between the flanges, reinforcing both the joint’s integrity and strength. A gasket alone is often enough to complete the join, but sealant is favoured by engineers to create a last line of defence. The sealant reduces the chance of faults occurring by stopping adjoining machine parts rubbing together and preventing fluids from leaking. The sealant will help stop the joint corroding and once dried, will not crack, relax or shrink.

These sealants are available in a range of substances in the form of sprays, pastes and glues. They can be used on a range of materials including plastic, rubber, various metals, glass and ceramics. The sealant is self-adhesive and will cure at room temperature or ambient humidity, allowing for easy application. The type of sealant used depends on temperature, materials, operating pressures and materials.

Main Uses of Gasket Sealer

Gasket sealer is often used in outdoor situations where the gasket needs to be water-proof or weather-proof. By sealing the two edges to the gasket, any holes and imperfections on the flange surfaces will be filled. Therefore the sealant will stop heat, water, air and other possible contaminants from getting into, or escaping the machinery. Using gasket sealant to prevent gases or fluids leaking is commonly used in composite machine parts or connections between pipe lengths. The sealant will also strengthen the assembly or join thanks to its adhesion to the flange surfaces.