There’s no point buying a sportscar if you don’t know how to drive a manual. And similarly, there’s little point in upgrading your gaskets if you’re not installing them properly.

Gasket installation is a crucial part of the process, one that can significantly impact your gasket’s performance, durability and even the condition of your equipment.

Here, Steamline Engineering outlines several common gasket installation mistakes and how to avoid them:

Failure to inspect other components

When you take apart a component to install a new gasket, it’s important to inspect the other components of your equipment, in case they’re damaged or warped. A damaged flange will only wear out a gasket quicker, so there’s no point in buying a brand new gasket if there are other problems with your machinery. Check everything meticulously before installing a new gasket.

Failing to clean components

While the gasket is removed, use this as a chance to clean the surfaces and bolt holes before you install the new gasket. Make sure that the bolt threads and the holes of the bolt threads aren’t dirty or galled – otherwise, your gasket won’t be able to be tightened properly.

Installing an incorrect size

This is a surprisingly common mistake to make when installing gaskets. One of the best ways you can ensure you’re buying the exact size of gasket you need is to cross-check the part numbers. If you don’t have the part number of your gasket, call up the team at Steamline and they’ll be able to identify and source an appropriately-fitting gasket for your application.

Tightening the bolts and fasteners incorrectly

As you know, bolts and fasteners require a correct sequence when being tightened. Make sure you’re following the correct sequence of tightening the bolts and fasteners when installing a gasket, so that the pressure is distributed evenly and that the gasket is perfectly aligned when installed. Otherwise, you risk misalignment of the gasket.

Lubricating too much, or not enough

If you use too much or too little lubrication, then you’re back to step one. Never use sealers or lubricants where you shouldn’t: rubber gaskets, for example, should never need lubricants or sealants. On the other hand, always lubricate or seal where it is necessary – just consult the gasket experts at Steamline Engineering if you’re unsure.

Follow this guide and your gasket installation will be a piece of cake, providing years of durable, high-intensity use. At Steamline Engineering, we provide top-of-the-range metallic and non-metallic gaskets across Australia. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s finest supplier of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

If you’re working with high-pressure, high-power or high-temperature equipment, chances are there are two words you’ll know all too well: compliance and safety.

These concepts are paramount to the work that you do, preventing accidents from occurring which could result in harm to your staff and damage to your vital equipment.

So, when it comes to replacing and upgrading your gaskets, compliance and safety should be at the top of your mind. In this post, Steamline Engineering explain gasket standards and regulations so that you can successfully comply with Australia’s safety protocol.

Australian Standards on gaskets

There are several Australian Standards on gaskets and gasketing. These are in place to ensure that all gaskets are compliant and safe to use, and that these gaskets are used in the correct way.

Some of the main Australian Standards on gaskets include:

• AS 1931: specifies requirements for non-metallic gaskets used in general-purpose applications.
• AS 2118.1: provides guidelines for the selection and installation of gaskets for flanges in piping systems.
• AS 2683.1: outlines requirements for metallic spiral-wound gaskets.
• AS 2683.2: specifies requirements for non-metallic flat gaskets for pipe flanges.

Gasket regulations: a closer look

Since Steamline Engineering supplies gaskets for general purpose applications and specialised metallic gaskets, let’s take a closer look at the standards and regulations relating to these areas:

• Ensuring compliance with AS 1931
  Australian Standard AS 1931 focusses on non-metallic gaskets used in general-purpose applications. This provides guidance on choosing appropriate gasket material based on factors such as the type of fluid or gas being sealed, operating temperature and pressure, flange conditions, and compatibility with other materials in the system. It also covers the correct installation of gaskets, and determines performance under stressors like chemical attack and compression.

• Ensuring compliance with AS 2683.1
  Australian Standard AS 2683.1 focusses on metallic spiral wound gaskets and their use in flanged joints subjected to pressure and temperature fluctuations. This set of standards includes everything from winding strip and filler material to marking and packaging.

Where to buy compliant gaskets that meet standards and regulations

At Steamline Engineering, we only sell high-quality gaskets which meet all relevant Australian Standards. Our quality brands like Carrara and Firefly are trusted in Australia and internationally as being some of the best gaskets on the market. By investing in quality gaskets from Steamline, you can avoid compliance breaches and keep your business safe and efficient.

At Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, known for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

When you’re buying some cheap kitchenware items from Kmart, you’re not too fussed about product quality. You’re paying $3 for an item that cost around 20 cents to make, and it’s part of the unwritten contract that your spatula or garlic crusher probably won’t be the best of its kind, or last that long.

But when it comes to gaskets, things couldn’t be more different.

While nobody’s going to get hurt if your cheap garlic crusher stops working, gaskets play a much more important role than just preparing ingredients for a delicious pasta (although we know the importance of pasta, too).

Quality assurance is vital when it comes to gasket manufacturing, and we probably don’t have to explain why. But for good measure, let’s outline a few reasons why you should always look for quality-assured gaskets when it’s time to replace or upgrade.

Quality gaskets prevent machinery damage

When choosing gaskets, a quality assurance doesn’t just affect the use of the gasket itself: it affects your equipment as a whole. Should a low-quality gasket be installed on an expensive, high-pressure piece of equipment, there’s a significant risk of gasket failure which can damage other components of your machinery.

A quality-assured gasket from a reputable brand like Carrara, for example, eliminates the risk of damaging your expensive machinery which is paramount to the operation of your business. When assessing your choice of gaskets, think beyond the cost of the gasket itself and instead look towards the cost of replacing your equipment due to gasket failure… it becomes much easier to pick quality gaskets every time!

Quality gaskets are more durable

Having to replace gaskets regularly is costly, time-consuming and stressful. But with quality-assured gaskets, this problem is less of a concern. High-quality gaskets are more durable and reliable than their low-quality counterparts. So, you’re saving time and money by choosing a gaskets with quality assurance supplied by the team at Steamline Engineering.

Quality gaskets improve efficiency and running costs

Fluid leaks and fugitive emissions – if you operate a business with equipment that relies on gaskets, you’ll have heard these terms before. Not only are leaks and fugitive emissions a sign that your equipment isn’t functioning as well as it could be, it’s also costing you in terms of running costs – and this is often down to gasket quality. Quality-assured gaskets help to improve efficiency in your business, reducing running costs.

Quality gaskets prevent serious workplace accidents

But most importantly of all, quality assurance equals safety assurance. Don’t put your team members at risk by choosing low-quality gaskets. Prevent the preventable by investing in quality-assured gasket brands.

At Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, known for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

With practically anything, design affects performance. It’s the reason a great Formula One driver can go nowhere in their career if they’re driving a poorly-designed car, or why footy ruckmen are always tall, or why sumo wrestlers are always large.

Imagine competing in that sport and weighing 80kg, when the average weight of a sumo wrestler is 150kg… it simply wouldn’t work!

But moving on from sumo wrestling, we’re here to discuss gasket design and how this can affect performance when it comes to sealing ability. Here, Steamline Engineering outline the key ways in which gasket design drastically affects performance.

Material

The choice of material is one of the most influential factors on how well a gasket can perform its sealing duties. Metallic gaskets and paper gaskets are both widely used in a variety of applications, but they could never be substitute for one another. While metallic gaskets are mostly used in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, like pressure vessels and chemical processing, paper gaskets are used in plumbing fixtures, lawnmowers and other household applications.

Swapping these materials would likely result in poor seal integrity, showing that design is important when choosing the correct gasket.

Conformability and resilience

So, why does the material make such a big impact on seal integrity? A lot of this has to do with conformability and resilience. Gaskets should possess sufficient conformability and resilience to adapt to irregularities in mating surfaces and maintain a consistent seal under varying operating conditions. Flexible gasket materials, such as elastomers or non-asbestos fibres, can conform to surface imperfections and withstand thermal expansion, vibration, and movement without compromising seal integrity. Metallic and graphite gaskets, on the other hand, don’t possess the same conformability and are therefore less suitable for sealing imperfections.

Chemical resistance

Material choice also determines chemical resistance – an important factor for industrial applications. Some gaskets are designed to withstand chemical attack from corrosive fluids, gases and vapours. Metallic gaskets are a great example; they’re used in oil and gas production, petrochemical processing and marine applications.

Manufacturer and brand reputation

But design isn’t just influenced by material. There’s another equally important factor at play: who’s making the gasket? Manufacturer and brand reputation can’t be ignored when it comes to seal integrity for gaskets. Two gaskets, made from similar materials for similar applications, may be completely different in seal ability, with a high-quality brand outperforming its low-quality counterpart again and again.

But at Steamline Engineering, we only supply the world’s best gasket brands, renowned for their seal integrity and durability. Stocking brands like Carrara and Firefly, Steamline is Australia’s best retailer of quality gaskets, as well as other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials. Browse our range our contact our team of gasket experts today.

Gaskets. They’re smooth, reliable and their name is pretty satisfying to pronounce (gasss-k’t) if you’ve never thought about that before.

But aside from having a cool name, they also play an essential part in preventing leaks and contamination in your machinery. From car engines to petrochemical processing, gaskets perform this role in countless applications, in countless industries.

Let’s discuss this further thanks to the team at Steamline Engineering – Australia’s specialist team in high-quality gasket supplies.

Gaskets act as a seal

One of the primary functions of a gasket is to seal any irregularities between two mating surfaces of a component. By successfully sealing these two surfaces, the gasket creates a nice, tight fit, where fluid or gas is unable to escape.

Gaskets act as a seal in various applications – from automotive engines to industrial machinery and underwater gas pipelines. This prevents the two surfaces from becoming damages and leaking, keeping your equipment in tip-top condition and preventing any safety hazards from arising.

Managing the pressure

As you can imagine, gaskets don’t exactly have an easy life… in fact, their life is anything but. Sandwiched between two surfaces of high-powered equipment, the gasket’s job comes with a lot of pressure – literally! Gaskets need to be able to maintain structural integrity despite being physically and chemically tested, day in and day out.

Without a high-quality, correct-fitting gasket, your machinery would easily crack under the pressure, resulting in leaks and possible contamination. Always ensure you’re choosing the right gasket material for the job – Steamline supplies several different high-quality gaskets in various materials.

Preventing external contaminants

Sure, if your machinery leaks all over the place due to an ill-fitting or low quality gasket (a problem you’ll never have when you choose Steamline’s gaskets), you’re going to be dealing with contamination. But just as serious is the idea of your equipment being affected by external contaminants. Sensitive and critical components are at risk of being damaged by external contaminants, such as dirt, other fluids and debris. Valve gaskets, for example, are protected by these elements thanks to their gaskets.

Corrosion resistance

Your gasket also helps protect your machinery from corrosion. High-quality, non-corrosive gaskets such as graphite, silicone and PTFE, are all excellent choices for applications in which corrosion (by chemicals, for examples) may otherwise affect your equipment.

Gaskets are often the true heroes of your equipment, and don’t get the credit they deserve. Choose Steamline Engineering for your next gasket order. No matter which type of gasket you’re after, Steamline Engineering has got you covered. We stock loads of gaskets from excellent manufacturers like Carrara and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.

Your machinery relies on a range of parts in order to function at its best. But one of the most important parts? Its gasket.

Smooth, seamless operation depends greatly on your gasket quality, so there’s no question about how crucial it is to pick a quality gasket supplier when it’s time to replace or upgrade.

But how do we do this? Gasket selection isn’t something we have to do all the time, so it can be tricky to know where to start.

Well, in this post, the specialists at Steamline Engineering outline a guide on sourcing gaskets and knowing the key factors to consider when choosing a supplier:

Range of materials

Firstly, we should be look for a supplier who has the correct material of gasket for the application we need. The main materials used for gaskets include metallic, PTFE, graphite, millboard and more. Choosing the wrong gasket material is a grave mistake to make, leading to potential damage to your machinery or, worse, potential threats to staff safety.

Steamline is a team that specialises in a huge range of gasket materials. We supply all common gasket material types, and we know what makes a great gasket, opting for only the best quality gear on the market.

Quality brands

But even if two gaskets are the same material, it doesn’t mean they’re of the same quality. Always look for a gasket supplier who chooses top-rated, premium brands of gasket which are known for quality and strength.

Steamline supplies Carrara metallic gaskets, which are known for their strength, corrosion-resistance and durability. With more than 50 years in the industry, they have been proven to have one of the strongest and most hard-wearing metallic gaskets available.

Value for money

While we’d never suggest trying to cut costs on gasket quality, we’re big advocates of shopping around for the best deal. Your gasket supplier should be driven to deliver great gaskets at competitive rates. Steamline not only have a commitment to bringing you quality products, but we’re also focussed on keeping prices affordable. This has helped hundreds of businesses across Australia to keep their machinery running on a budget.

Reputation for service

None of these qualities are any good if your gasket supplier has absolutely zero idea about customer service. When you have a problem, your gasket supplier should be readily available to help you solve it.

Steamline is a team that’s driven by customer service. We want all customers to become long-term ones, and we keep them coming back with our great prices and helpful customer service.

Choose Steamline Engineering for your next gasket order. No matter which type of gasket you’re after, Steamline Engineering can help you out. We stock loads of gaskets from excellent manufacturers like Carrara and Firefly, providing metallic, rubber, PTFE, graphite gaskets and more. Supplying various gaskets from various materials, Steamline are also Australia’s leading team for other industrial equipment like thermal tapes and seals, welding blankets and valve packing materials.