Why Industrial Equipment Leaks, and How the Right Gasket Prevents It
For manufacturers, industrial equipment leaks can have serious consequences, including safety risks, environmental hazards and costly downtime. As a leading distributor of
custom and standard gaskets, Expert Gasket & Seal provides a wide range of high-quality, precision-engineered gaskets designed to prevent leaks, protect equipment and keep
manufacturing operations running efficiently. Explore the common causes of industrial equipment leaks and discover how choosing the right gasket can help prevent leaks before they become costly problems.
Top Causes of Industrial Equipment Leaks
Industrial machinery often faces demanding operating conditions, such as extreme temperatures, high pressures, chemical damage and machine vibrations, which causes
sealing materials to deteriorate over time. Some of the most common causes of equipment leaks include:
- Improper gasket selection: When a gasket material is incompatible with operating conditions, it can degrade, swell or harden, weakening the seal.
- Temperature extremes: Excessive heat can cause a gasket to degrade, while repeated heating and cooling causes metal components to expand and contract, putting stress on the gasket and potentially compromising the seal.
- Pressure changes: Pressure fluctuations can place excessive stress on a gasket, potentially causing it to lose its seal or blow out.
- Chemical exposure: Chemical exposure can weaken or degrade gasket materials that aren’t designed for the application.
- Improper installation: Incorrect installation, improper torque and damaged surfaces can keep a gasket from sealing properly.
- Equipment movement and vibration: Continuous vibration and movement can loosen fasteners or create small gaps between the gasket and sealing surfaces, increasing the risk of leaks.
Choosing the Right Gasket to Prevent Equipment Leaks
A properly selected and installed gasket plays a critical role in keeping industrial equipment sealed and operating efficiently. A gasket creates a secure seal between connected equipment components, helping contain fluids, gases and other process materials.
When selecting a gasket for your facility, consider the following key factors to ensure reliable performance and leak prevention:
- Chemical compatibility: Choose a gasket material that is compatible with the specific pH, concentration and type of acid, base, solvent or gas used in the application. Refer to our chemical resistance chart for more information.
- Temperature extremes: Select a gasket material designed to withstand your equipment’s operating temperature. Learn more about high temperature gaskets.
- Pressure changes: Select a gasket designed to handle both the system’s normal operating pressure and pressure changes without compromising the seal.
- Proper compression: A gasket must be compressed correctly to form a reliable seal. Too little compression can cause leaks, while too much can damage the gasket.
- Equipment and flange design: Gasket size, thickness and design should align with the equipment and sealing requirements to ensure a secure fit and reliable seal. See our gasket size chart for available ASME sizes.