Whenever the word gasket is used, it is often in place of seals, and the word seals are used in the same way as well. It, therefore, has many people confused on whether or not these two words are talking about the same thing or if they are different. To understand Teflex Monodirectional Expanded PTFE Joint Sealant Tape, you need to distinguish it from gaskets. Here are the main differences and a couple of similarities between gaskets and seals.
What is a gasket?
A gasket is a seal put between two flat surfaces to ensure no fluid leaks through. Gaskets are usually used as a static seal since they do not move around as they work. Gaskets are mostly made from fiber, cork, rubber, PTFE, or closed cell sponge. They come in handy, especially during maintenance, as they can be changed without working on the entire machine. Gaskets can be commonly found in industries that deal with food, oil and gas, electricity, and pulp and paper.
What is a seal?
Seals are commonly used in engine parts, pumps, and any shaft that rotates when working. They are common with moving objects and not static ones since they come well equipped to move around. They tend to be flat and round with an outside meal ring.
One needs to be careful when installing it because if the two rings flip when installing it, it might get messy to work with them and even clean up. The seals are made from metallic rings with rubber inner rings. Most of the material used to make the rings is similar to the one used to make gaskets.
Seals come in handy when preventing leaks at the end of a shaft and when sealing up hydraulic lines. These seals also come in handy when protecting areas with ball bearings. To ensure they are well installed, one needs to use lubricants on them first. The one thing that many people do not like about seals is that if it breaks down, the entire bearing needs to be replaced, which can be expensive.
Choosing between a gasket and a seal
Knowing how these two work is a great thing will help you decide what works best for you. Although they all serve the same purpose, they are used in different areas, which is essential to note. If you get a seal instead of a gasket, it will not help you in whatever you are doing. The simple thing to remember is that the seal works in areas with moving parts, while a gasket works in an area with flat sides that are mobile. These are the main guiding points on the choice you end up making.
Conclusion
Getting the right seal for whatever area is an important thing you need to do, and you should be careful with the selection you make, do your research on the material used to make the seal and if it works for you. It will help you make informed decisions and ensure you get what will work for you and your needs.
