Plastic gaskets and seals are not that uncommon. In fact, they’re used in many devices due to the longevity and functionality they offer.
Helping to prevent leaks and maintain temperature control, plastic gaskets help equipment and appliances operate to the best of their ability.
As a specialist gasket manufacturer, Specialist Sealing Products (SSP) produce and have readily available a wide range of seals and gaskets for all applications across a wide range of industries.
Plastic gaskets
Filling the space between two surfaces, plastic gaskets provide the mechanical element that ultimately prevents leaks, especially when two objects are compressed.
This type of seal is also used in some applications to increase the equipment or product lifespan as they can protect parts from rubbing against each other, causing friction.
Plastic gaskets also come in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for 99.9% of applications.
Today, plastic seals are typically used as an alternative to metal gaskets as they offer good durability and are corrosion resistant, which is a big benefit in some sectors. They’re also lightweight, low friction, and provide good sealing and insulation properties.
Benefits of using plastic gaskets
Plastic gaskets can provide significant performance advantages compared to metal gaskets, such as:
- They can improve the functionality and performance of any application
- They can be used to reduce noise and sound
- They prevent fluid, air, and gas from escaping/seeping out
- They are resistant to various chemicals
- They help to reduce vibration impact
- They are non-corrosive
- They can act as equipment mounting support
- They are abrasion-resistant
- They well suited to handling fluctuations in temperature and increases in pressure
- They are hydrocarbon resistant
- They can provide impact protection
- They offer rigidity and stability across applications
- They save on energy costs.
Plastic gaskets are also low cost as the cost of materials and production costs combined are minimal compared to the manufacture of metal gaskets and seals, which takes into account much more precision.
Plastic seals and gaskets have been used for many years across many different applications.
Even in the most critical of applications, plastic gaskets can be chosen over metal gaskets due to their excellent wear resistance and high strength to weight ratio – trust us when we say these gaskets are an all-around viable, cost-effective sealing material.
Types of plastic gaskets
Polyethylene Gaskets – properties include minimal moisture absorption, they’re resistant to chemicals and provide a good level of strength.
Polycarbonate Gaskets – great for durability and high impact. This type of gasket is also flame and heat resistant, providing high mechanical, optical, and electrical properties.
Nylon Gaskets – can be cut to any shape and come in widths up to 10mm. They’re also available in a sheet material range, and these gaskets can be laser cut, die-cut, and even manufactured using water jet machinery.
Plastic Shim Gaskets – colour coded plastic shims can be manufactured from sheet materials such as nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
Specific materials gasket manufacturers will use:
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- High impact polystyrene
- High-density polyethylene
- Thermoplastic polyurethane
- Thermoplastic elastomer.
We stock a range of plastic gasket sheet materials, and all gaskets and seals are supplied to national and international standards – quality is always guaranteed with Special Sealing Products.
Where will I find plastic gaskets used?
Plastic gaskets and seals are used across several industries, including construction, automotive, plumbing, appliance, aerospace, manufacturing, industrial, and more.
The lightweight and versatile properties of these seals is a big difference between plastic gaskets and metal gaskets, making them much more suitable for automotive parts, doors and windows, printing equipment, agriculture equipment, etc. The most common use of plastic seals, however, is where a manufacturer is required to join two water pipes.
Why you need a high-quality gasket for your appliance
Without an effective gasket or seal, the performance of your appliance will suffer. This can lead to customer dissatisfaction and downtime on your production lines, all of which cost you time and money.
For the optimum sealing solution, look no further than the high-performance seals and gaskets from SSP.
Our team is extremely knowledgeable, and we work with businesses throughout the UK in a range of industry sectors.
To find out how our gaskets and seals can improve your application, call 01535 274 776.
