Garlock has dielectric breakdown voltage test data available on our most popular gasketing styles. Generally speaking, GYLON® styles and compressed sheet

Steam can be found in plants in two forms: saturated and superheated. Saturated steam is standard boiler steam and has a definite temperature for each pressure. Superheated steam is steam at a higher temperature than is found on the saturated steam curve for that particular pressure.

Controlled Density™ is a manufacturing process used in the production of Garlock Spiral Wound gaskets to ensure optimum filler density across the windings to achieve consistent compression and superior sealability. Garlock Controlled Density gaskets are able to achieve tightness at lower loads. While most gaskets (manufacturers other than Garlock) are manufactured to a “Y” factor of 10,000 psi, gaskets manufactured with Controlled Density are manufactured to a “Y” factor of 7,500 psi. This contributes to an improved performance during stress cycling. Garlock also manufactures Controlled Density Plus™ (CD Plus) gaskets which offer a “Y” factor of 5,000 psi.

GYLON® Style 3522 is 3A compliant. For documentation, please contact Garlock Applications Engineering.

Garlock strongly recommends the use of calibrated torque wrenches to tighten bolts to the correct load. We have a installation procedures and directions are available upon request.

We realize many end users resist using a torque wrench for installation. However, we have found the use of a torque wrench to be the least painful way to gain a substantial increase in performance. Any method which accurately controls the compressive load on the gasket is acceptable.

Heat traced lines pumping materials which are solid at ambient temperature can present a number of problems for gaskets.

The chemical MTBE (methyl t-butyl ether) has become a very common fuel additive and gasketing compatibility inquiries on this material are frequent. Garlock in-house testing has shown GYLON^® gasketing to be unaffected by MTBE. We have also found compressed sheet Styles 9850 and 3000 to be suitable for MTBE service. These materials are recommended for MTBE alone or mixed with gasoline.

Compressive stress must be appropriate to the gasket type...

Some installations require a very thick gasket to fill a large gap between flanges. We do not recommend stacking numerous gaskets in the same flange. In-house tests have shown that a better way to fill a 1/2" gap, for example, is to install a 1/16" gasket on each side of a 3/8" thick incompressible spacer ring. Ideally, the spacer ring will be consistent with piping metallurgy, serrated, and cut to the same dimensions as the gasket. We recommend higher minimum torques when using this arrangement.

Some end users perform bubble tests of their system to check gasket tightness. This information is helpful before specifying a gasket. Bubble tests are an extremely tough test for a gasketed joint, and may not be an appropriate means to verify correct installation. Lightweight flanges with low available compressive load may never achieve "bubble tight" results.

Some pipe specifications call out maximum levels of "leachables" for gaskets. These limits are usually concerned with leachable chlorides, fluorides, halogens and sulfur. These ions, or charged particles, are of concern due to their tendency to promote corrosion of piping systems. Garlock keeps test results for numerous gasket styles on file and we will test and certify leachable chlorides, etc., where required. There is a charge for these tests. Due to the nature of this type of analysis, we publish "typical" leachables only on certain styles such as our nuclear grade Style 9920.