Gaskets and seals are an integral part of hydraulic (sometimes known as fluid power) systems. Without effective gaskets and seals, high pressure systems are impossible to achieve. Selecting the right material for hydraulic system gaskets is both an art and a science – there are trade-offs to consider and make between variables such as softness versus hardness, resilience versus stiffness, high temperature versus low temperature, and performance versus cost.
At CRG, we offer gaskets for hydraulic systems that are manufactured from a variety of materials. Some of the more popular materials and their advantages are discussed below.
Nitrile Rubber Gaskets for Hydraulic Systems
Gaskets made from nitrile (Buna N) rubber are used widely in hydraulic systems. Nitrile rubber gaskets perform well in many hydraulic systems. These gaskets have excellent resistance to oil, have a practical temperature service range, resistance to oxidation and aging, and generally cost less than gaskets made from more advanced elastomers.
Fluoroelastomers (Viton®) Gaskets for Hydraulic Systems
Viton® is a brand of fluoroelastomer (FKM) developed by DuPont. It is often used to fabricate gaskets for applications where high reliability is desired, Viton® possesses good heat resistance characteristics. And is impervious to attack by many chemicals. While gaskets made from Viton® may be more expensive than those made from some other materials, the higher initial cost is often more than offset by the longer gasket life cycle.
PTFE (Teflon) Gaskets for Hydraulic Systems
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. Teflon® is the most widely known brand name of PTFE-based formulas. Teflon® is a trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont), the discoverer of the compound.
PTFE gaskets are widely used in hydraulic systems as well as in pumps, valves, and flanged joints in piping and transfer equipment. These gaskets have a very low coefficient of friction, low creep, and an ability to service a wide range of operating temperatures, from -400°F to 500°F. A key advantage of PTFE gasket material is that is among the most chemically resistant materials known. The ability to resist chemical attack makes PTFE gaskets an excellent choice for many hydraulic systems applications.
Polyurethane Gaskets for Hydraulic Systems
Polyurethane gaskets combine the advantages of rubber and plastic. These gaskets resist abrasion, and combine hardness with resiliency and excellent dynamic load bearing capacity. Because they combine plasticizers with rubber, these gaskets tend to out-wear most standard rubber gaskets when place in hydraulic power systems.
Our sales department will be pleased to discuss how CRG can help with your hydraulic system sealing needs. To find out more about CRG gaskets for hydraulic systems, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.