Okay, I know you thought 9 questions would do it.
But this is America.
If there’s anywhere on earth where we should overdo it, it’s here, right?
329 million people in 50 states with 50 stars and 13 stripes of patriotic glory.
We do things more, and extra, and bigger, and you should always be able get an extra sauce plus the one that comes with your meal at your favorite fast food joint.
I should run for President.
For now, let’s turn our attention to the equally majestic world of gaskets.
Here are 9 MORE questions you’ve never thought to ask…
1. Where did the word “gasket” come from?
According to our friends at dictionary.com, the word “gasket” originated in the 17th century, sometime between 1615-1625. It may have come from the french word “garcette” meaning a “plait of rope” (Dictionary.com, 2022). And yes, gaskets can be made of rope. Who knew!
2. Is there really such a thing as a self-sealing gasket?
You bet your skillet there is. While TeflonTM is a wildly popular material used in cookware, it’s also used to make durable, lightweight, TeflonTM PTFE self-sealing gaskets.
Thanks to a special polymer, PTFE gaskets are designed to be gas-tight and stay in place to prevent seepage.
3. Do Neoprene Rubber gaskets use pretty much the same material as a knee brace?
Yes and no. It’s the same material, but it can be applied to different use cases. For example, a harder, solid rubber Neoprene gasket is perfect for outdoor weather conditions because it’s extremely durable and can withstand temperature fluctuations as well as heat and humidity. It’s great for thermal control and can even work as a flame barrier.
Highly customizable, the closed cell sponge variety is often used in electronics while closed foam gaskets have lots of uses in environmental applications.
PS: Sorry about your knee.
4. Ever seen a really old picture of someone with a spiky ring around his neck? My wife says they’re called “ruffs,” but I think they’re gaskets. Can you settle this for us?
I actually get this one all the time.
I’m no marriage counselor, so take this with a grain of salt, but you are absolutely right and I can assure you those are in fact neck gaskets – they’re probably made out of paper and originated long before the advent of modern rubber. People did all kinds of weird, dangerous things in the past, and I would never recommend using a modern gasket in this way.
And to settle it once and for all… those little round things that people put in their earlobes are not earrings. You guessed it; ear gaskets.
Can’t help it. I see gaskets everywhere.
5. I know the US banned asbestos. What do you do if you need a strong, heat-resistant gasket?
You’re right; there were really good reasons for banning asbestos. But just because that material is no longer available, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a high-quality, heat-resistant gasket.
Right at home in manufacturing settings, non-asbestos gaskets offer the same if not better performance than their asbestos counterparts, and they’re equally suitable for the wastewater industry.
Non-asbestos gaskets come in off-the-shelf styles, like full face and ring varieties, and you can even order custom sizes and grades.
6. If a custom gasket order comes in, and no one’s there to receive it, does it still get made?
I see what you did there. A riff on the old “if a tree falls in the woods…” bit.
The answer: of course.
We take custom orders and emergencies seriously. We usually even send out custom orders the same day we receive them. No kidding.
7. Can a smaller gasket supplier offer the same quality as a larger supplier?
In many cases, a small to medium sized supplier is actually a better bet than the massive conglomerate.
Why?
You’re more than a number. Small gasket suppliers tend to value relationships with their customers. Being in the same country helps, too. Ever tried to get something rushed or get in touch with customer service at an overseas supplier?
Gorilla Gasket is based right here in the US, we service the entire country, and we can produce gaskets to your specifications or provide an off-the-shelf solution to keep your stock in good shape or send out a fast, emergency shipment when you need it.
Take a look at our selection of Neoprene, Viton(R), Red Rubber, Teflon™ PTFE, Expanded Teflon™ PTFE, Non Asbestos, and Sheet Material – we’ve got you covered.
8. I’m embarrassed to ask, but is a seal the same thing as a gasket? They seem like they do the same thing?
A seal can be a gasket and vice versa. In some settings, the term “gasket” is more widely recognized as the actual item you use to seal something, but we’ll know what you’re talking about if you call it a seal.
9. Are gaskets used in space?
You bet!
As you can imagine, keeping air where it’s supposed to be is critical.
NASA, SpaceX, and the International Space Station all relied on gasket technology to protect Crew Dragon during an historic 2020 mission: “When the SpaceX Crew Dragon docked with the International Space Station during the Demo-2 mission, it was a historic day for NASA and our nation as we returned the launch of American astronauts on American rockets from American soil to the orbiting laboratory. As Crew Dragon approached the space station, one thing may have gone unnoticed – a narrow rubber seal that plays a critical role in safely connecting Crew Dragon with our home in space (NASA, 2022).
Any more?
If you have a question about gaskets, we’d love to get you an answer.
Give us a call, or reach out here.
Don’t forget to stock up on standard gaskets before you head out, or feel free to unload your biggest gasket problem on us and get a custom solution.
Gorilla Gasket
1012 N 1st St
Artesia, NM 88210
(575) 336-1446
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