What Are the Different Types of Gaskets?
When it comes to industrial sealing, not all gaskets are created equal. With so many gasket types available — ranging by material, shape, and performance — it’s essential for OEMs, engineers, and procurement teams to understand which option is best for their specific application. Choosing the wrong gasket can lead to leaks, premature wear, system inefficiency, and costly downtime.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common types of gaskets, how they’re classified, and how to choose the right one for your system. Whether you're sealing a high-pressure boiler, a corrosive chemical line, or an HVAC duct, this blog will help you make an informed decision.
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Why Gasket Selection Matters
Gaskets play a critical role in sealing joints between two surfaces under compression — preventing leaks, maintaining pressure, and improving system efficiency. Choosing the right gasket type isn’t just about plugging a gap; it’s about long-term performance, safety, and cost savings.
Benefits of choosing the right gasket type:
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Enhances sealing reliability under pressure and temperature fluctuations
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Reduces risk of chemical or fluid leaks
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Minimizes system downtime and maintenance costs
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Ensures compliance with industry-specific standards
Incorrect or poorly fitted gaskets can lead to unnecessary wear, damage to equipment, or complete system failure. That’s why understanding the types of gaskets available is so important.
Discover how to pick the right gasket for your specific application.
Common Gasket Types by Material
Rubber Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are among the most common and versatile. Depending on the rubber compound, they offer excellent sealing properties for water, air, and mild chemicals.
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EPDM: Excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and steam
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Nitrile: Great for oil and fuel applications
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Silicone: High flexibility and thermal stability; ideal for food-grade and medical use. Discover the difference between rubber and silicone gaskets in this helpful guide.
Rubber gaskets are widely used in HVAC systems, automotive manufacturing, and general industrial sealing. Learn more about the different types of rubber gasket materials.
Metal Gaskets
Metal gaskets are built to handle extreme conditions. You’ll find them in high-pressure and high-temperature systems like boilers, refineries, and power plants.
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Spiral wound gaskets: Combine metal and filler (e.g., graphite or PTFE) for resilience under fluctuating pressure
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Ring-type joints (RTJ): Used in pipelines and refineries for high-pressure, high-temperature sealing
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Jacketed gaskets: Feature a soft filler material enclosed in a metal jacket
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Graphite Gaskets
Graphite gaskets offer excellent thermal stability, making them ideal for high-temperature applications. They’re also chemically resistant and maintain their integrity under pressure.
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Max temperature: ~450°C (~842°F) in oxidizing, up to 3000°C (5432°F) in non-oxidizing atmospheres
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Commonly used in steam systems, chemical plants, and power generation
PTFE (Teflon) Gaskets
PTFE gaskets are inert and highly chemical-resistant. They perform well in corrosive environments and are ideal for applications involving aggressive media.
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Non-stick and non-reactive
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FDA-compliant grades available for food and pharmaceutical use
Compressed Fibre Gaskets
Made by compressing fibres (like aramid) with elastomer binders, these gaskets are economical and perform well in water, oils, and steam environments.
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Cost-effective for low- to mid-temperature and pressure
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Common in plumbing, pumps, and basic industrial use
Gasket Types by Design & Form
Full Face Gaskets
These gaskets cover the entire flange face, including all bolt holes. They’re ideal for flat-faced flanges and provide a wide sealing surface.
Ring Gaskets
Ring gaskets seal only around the pipe bore and do not extend to the bolt holes. Best used with raised-face flanges.
Envelope Gaskets
These consist of a chemical-resistant PTFE envelope surrounding a softer insert (often rubber or compressed fibre). Great for aggressive chemical environments.
Spiral Wound Gaskets
Made with alternating layers of metal winding and filler material, spiral wound gaskets handle high pressure and thermal cycling exceptionally well.
Kammprofile Gaskets
These gaskets feature a solid metal core with concentric grooves and a soft sealing layer. Ideal for applications needing a strong, reliable seal under load.
Tadpole Gaskets
Used in oven doors and high-temp enclosures, tadpole gaskets are designed to seal uneven or irregular surfaces. Their bulb-and-tail design ensures tight sealing even with changing compression.
Choosing the Right Gasket for Your Application
When choosing from the many gasket types, consider these critical factors:
Temperature & Pressure
Always choose a gasket material and form that matches the system’s peak operating temperature and pressure.
Chemical Compatibility
In chemical processing or food production, selecting the wrong material can lead to gasket failure or contamination. PTFE and graphite are often preferred in aggressive environments.
Industry Standards
Ensure your gasket meets the right certification (e.g. FDA, ASME, ASTM). This is especially important for regulated industries like food, pharma, and petrochemicals.
Application Design
Does your system use flat or raised flanges? Do you need resistance to vibration or thermal cycling? The type of gasket you use should match the mechanical requirements of your design. Of course, specific applications may require a custom solution. Here’s info on when to use a custom gasket.
Need help choosing? Contact our team or call 905-564-0807
Need Help Choosing the Right Gasket Type? Let’s Talk!
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to gaskets. By understanding the various types of gaskets — from material composition to design — you can choose the solution that delivers optimal sealing, performance, and reliability for your application.
If you need expert help selecting the right gasket, we’re here for you. Specialty Gaskets offers a full range of gasket types, including custom solutions tailored to your specs.
Specialty Gaskets is a trusted supplier to OEMs and manufacturers across North America, with decades of experience in high-performance sealing solutions. Whether you need a standard gasket or a custom solution, we’ve got you covered.
