Gaskets are important parts of sealants used in various industrial applications. In the gasket industry, gasket manufacturers that provide asbestos gasket substitutes are the first choice these days. The reason is the danger of asbestos. Non-asbestos manufacturers provide non-asbestos gasket sheets of similar strength to meet gasket specifications for many applications.
1. Why use non-asbestos gaskets?
Asbestos gaskets have been used in industry for many years. The health hazards of asbestos have attracted more and more attention, which has prompted manufacturers to start looking for alternatives. In the production process, asbestos only affects those who are often in direct contact with asbestos fibers. Once the asbestos fiber is placed on the gasket, then it is safe to use the gasket.
If exposed to the air, asbestos fibers will be shredded into filamentous fibers, mainly by accidental inhalation by workers who directly handle asbestos. Over time, fine fibers can accumulate in the lungs, causing health problems, possibly even cancer. The hazards of asbestos have also been recognized by the regulatory authorities. Therefore, ethical gasket manufacturers have adopted non-asbestos gaskets to ensure the safety of personnel during the production process.
2. The difference between asbestos and non-asbestos gaskets
Asbestos fibers are durable and can withstand high temperatures. These fibers are thin and long. Manufacturers of non-asbestos gaskets use graphite, PTFE and other materials as the reinforcing fibers of the gasket. These fibers have properties such as heat resistance, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance. The properties of these fibers ensure that the performance of the gasket is not affected by the discontinuation of the use of asbestos.
Asbestos gaskets are made of silicate fibers, while non-asbestos gaskets are produced using carbon-based or organic materials. Asbestos gaskets are relatively cheaper than non-asbestos gaskets. The gasket manufacturer has consistently used different materials to provide customers with innovative and efficient non-asbestos gaskets that can be easily customized according to their needs.
Non-asbestos gaskets are made of organic fiber, aramid fiber, nitrile rubber and mineral fiber. These can be used in applications requiring water or oil resistance. Generally, non-asbestos gaskets are used in low-voltage installations, transformers and compressors. They are also used in the valve covers and pans of internal combustion engines, where there are easily deformable parts.
These days, gasket manufacturers provide non-asbestos gasket sheets, which may have certain characteristics or better characteristics than asbestos gaskets. Because carbon or organic materials are the basic materials for non-asbestos gaskets, they are safer to use than asbestos gaskets.
All over the world, asbestos liners are still in use, if not all, they are manufactured in proprietary quantities. Gasket manufacturers who understand the potential risks of asbestos are turning to non-asbestos gaskets. Regulators have also issued bans and restrictions on the use of asbestos by manufacturers.
