The secrets of the gasket industry are enticing to even the most profound gasket lovers. Okay, we concede the fact that secrets, in general, are enticing, it’s true! But we’re obsessed with gaskets around here so naturally, those dirty little sealant secrets grab our full attention.
To the Gorilla Gasket family, gaskets are more than our livelihood, they are our passion. We hope this fact seeps into everything we do. From our excellent customer service to our ability to ship your customized product on the same day, we love to take care of you.
Back in the day, the wildest not-so-sealed secrets about gaskets were confined to blown head gaskets. At first revolutionary in design, head gaskets which are used in motor vehicles, proved to be more of a pain than a help in some engine models.
Head gaskets are strategically placed between the engine block and the cylinder head in combustion engines. These nifty gadgets keep the engine cool while stopping fuel and oil from leaking back into the motor. A critical component of any motor vehicle.
What are the dirty not-so-sealed secrets about head gaskets?
For starters, poor machining practices lead to poor installations, which leads to disaster. Subpar bolts lacking in torque or wavy deck heads and blocks left head gaskets of old with much to be desired. Not to mention that head gaskets are tricky to keep clean.
These days it’s more common to see Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets, which offer a stronger seal, being widely manufactured. Various other workarounds have been found like installing an O-Ring on the block or spraying the gasket with a copper sealant to increase its longevity.
But blown head gaskets aren’t the biggest secrets of the gasket industry. Not even close.
Our lips are unsealed about these gasket secrets
When it comes to gaskets, sealing is the name of the game. Let’s recap a bit about the amazing gadget that’s part of our namesake, gaskets.
Uniquely designed and manufactured, a gasket is used to create a seal between two comparable materials. This seal can be for liquid, gas, or even air. Modern gaskets can even reduce vibrations and manage high temperatures.
Gaskets have been made from various materials throughout time including rope, wood, and even felt. Yes, we said felt! That fun stuff you have in your arts and crafts closet. If that isn’t strange enough, they were also once sourced from leather.
Inventors and innovators were resourceful with what they had we suppose. These days, though, gaskets are widely manufactured using metal, rubber, or silicone.
Because gaskets are needed for so many utilities we use on a daily basis, we can find them in places we didn’t even think to look. Blenders, pumps, sewage piping—gaskets are part of the components that comprise all of these things.
There are several types of gaskets currently used on the market today. But regardless of where the gaskets originate, they share one common and repeat issue; installation.
Installation remains at the forefront of improvement efforts as it’s the root cause for almost all gasket malfunctions. Choosing the wrong gasket material or installing one in place even one millimeter off the mark can spell doom.
The same goes for a lack of lubrication, and over or under-tightening of the bolts. All of which leads to high or uneven surface stress on the gasket. Without the lubrication, the friction is too much, and if the bolt isn’t tight enough then the chance for leaks increases.
This is why the real secrets of the gasket industry are found in the seal.
The secret is in the seal
Gaskets have gotten smarter as technology has improved. As has the manufacturing and technical engineering of gaskets in general. In parts of the world, companies are leading the charge with the use of modernized manufacturing equipment and applied technologies.
The most popular idea currently in play is to use sensors. Why? To increase the ability to locate the correct gasket for the job before design or installation even happens. Poor installation leads to catastrophe and increases the chances of gasket malfunctions.
On this side of major gasket tragedies, no one wants that to happen!
Typically, there are two types of gasket sealing methods; dynamic and static. Static sealing is when the gasket will be subject to little or no friction or movement. Dynamic sealing is the opposite of that wherein the gasket installed can respond to movement and friction.
The sensory technology being researched provides data on surface stress helping to ensure proper installation is made. And it doesn’t stop there. The technology would also track the installed gasket’s condition while it operates.
Why are these awesome sensors part of this lineup of secrets of the gasket industry? We thought it would be obvious by this point!
Though this next statement isn’t true in regards to Gorilla Gasket’s approach to gasket manufacturing. The fact of the matter is that too often gasket installation is overlooked during the designing process.
For some reason, gaskets can be condescendingly viewed as a necessary evil and thus not given the attention they need. Gaskets are an essential part of motorized machine functionality. And for that reason, they require the utmost attention to detail.
Gorilla Gasket understands this and applies it to the design of all of our manufactured gaskets. We build the toughest, baddest gaskets on the planet!
Are there more juicy secrets of the gasket industry?
Without a doubt! Technological advancements continue to happen in almost every industry. It’s no different for gasket manufacturing. That is to say that there will be more secrets to come in the coming years.
Until these tech advancements become more mainstream, though, we wait for other breakthroughs to ensure successful installations become the bare minimum. And in the meantime, we would love to offer you a custom quote for your gasket manufacturing needs.
Let our quality design and top-of-the-line installation process speak for themselves.
Gorilla Gasket
1012 N 1st St
Artesia, NM 88210
(575) 336-1446
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