Corrugated Gasket

A corrugated metal gasket concentrates load at corrugation peaks to deliver tight, resilient sealing under temperature and bolt-load changes. It bridges the gap between soft sheet options and heavy-duty metallic designs. Typical uses include standard flanges, heat exchangers, pumps, and valves where bolt load is limited or flange faces are imperfect. With over 20 years of precision manufacturing and custom engineering, we supply solutions for oil and gas, natural gas, chemical processing, power generation, metallurgy, and general industry.

How It Works and When to Specify

The formed corrugations act like a spring. They maintain sealing stress as bolts relax or temperatures fluctuate. Compared with spiral-wound types, this gasket usually needs lower seating stress. Compared with soft sheets, it offers better recovery and blowout resistance. Specify it when bolt load is constrained, surfaces show minor warpage, or facing material compatibility is critical.

Key Advantages and Typical Uses

✅Stable sealing at low bolt load: High unit load with modest torque helps older piping, large flanges, and limited stud capacity while minimizing flange distortion.

✅Broad media and temperature coverage: Stainless or nickel-alloy cores paired with graphite, PTFE/ePTFE, or mica facings suit steam, hydrocarbons, strong acids/alkalis, and hot oxidizing gases.

✅Lower cost-in-use: Durable recovery reduces retightening. Soft facings protect flange surfaces and extend service life.

✅Proven applications: Refinery heater lines, compressor tie-ins, chemical reactors, steam balance lines, and power plant auxiliaries in rotating and static equipment.

Materials and Facing Options

1、Core metals: SS304/304L, SS316/316L, 321, carbon steel, and high-nickel alloys (Inconel 600/625, Monel 400). Selection depends on media, temperature, and galvanic compatibility.

2、Facings:

✅Graphite: High temperature, thermal cycling, steam and hydrocarbon service; typical continuous service about 450–550°C depending on oxidation and alloy.

✅PTFE/ePTFE: Strong acids/alkalis, cleanliness-critical duties; from cryogenic to approximately 260°C.

✅Mica/phlogopite: Hot oxidizing environments and thermal shock; intermittent exposure around 800–850°C.

3、Selection guide: Use mica with stainless/nickel cores for oxidizing hot gas lines; PTFE/ePTFE for aggressive chemicals; graphite for steam and hydrocarbon cycling. Our engineers advise based on media, clamp load, and flange finish.

Sizes, Geometry, and Limits

1、Dimensions: ASME B16.5 and B16.47 Series A/B Class 150–600 (consult for higher classes) and EN 1514-1 PN 10/16/25/40. DN 15–DN 1500 (NPS 1/2"–60") and custom shapes.

2、Geometry and thickness:

✅Core thickness: 0.5–3.0 mm by size/service.

✅Overall thickness with facings: typically 1.5–6.0 mm.

✅Corrugation pitch about 2.5–5.0 mm; height about 0.5–1.0 mm; profile tuned to bolt load and surface finish.

3、Pressure/temperature guidance: Temperature capability is governed by facing and alloy. Pressure limits depend on size, flange rating, and applied torque. Typical use spans vacuum to Class 600; engineered designs available on request.

4、Quality: Tight tolerances on ID/OD and corrugation geometry ensure uniform loading. Material certificates and inspection records accompany each batch.

Variants and Customization

✅Metal-only vs. faced: Metal-only suits narrow sealing widths and controlled surfaces. Faced versions improve conformability and tightness and protect flange faces.

✅Heat exchangers: Obround, oval, segmental, and jacket-style options for channel covers and pass partitions, up to 6.0 mm thickness and tailored corrugation density for bolt patterns.

✅Valves and pumps: Compact profiles for bonnets and casings manage pulsation and thermal gradients with repeatable compression and enhanced blowout resistance.

✅Branding and turnaround: OEM/ODM branding, serialized IDs, and flexible slots support urgent maintenance windows.

Installation and Torque

✅Flange preparation: Clean, dry, and damage-free faces. Target Ra 3.2–6.3 μm. Use faced gaskets for rougher finishes. Align to avoid bore overhang.

✅Tightening: Use a star-cross pattern in 3–4 passes to reach final torque. After thermal stabilization, verify bolt load if allowed. Avoid crushing soft facings.

✅Inspection/reuse: Check facing integrity, permanent set, and core deformation. Reuse is application-dependent; when in doubt, replace.

Quality and Engineering Support

Heat numbers and batch IDs are maintained for stainless/nickel alloys. Graphite purity and PTFE/ePTFE compliance are documented. We convert CAD/DWG/SolidWorks drawings into finished parts with controlled tolerances and provide application-specific guidance to prevent leakage and manage cost.

FAQ

What is the difference between a corrugated gasket and a spiral-wound gasket?

The corrugated type uses a formed metal core, with or without soft facings, to concentrate load and recover at lower seating stress. It is preferred when bolt load is limited, surfaces are rough, or facing compatibility is key.

Which facing should I choose for strong acids?

Use PTFE or ePTFE facings with a compatible alloy core (such as 316L or Monel), confirmed for your acid and temperature.

Can this gasket type be used at high temperatures?

Yes. Graphite-faced versions suit high temperature in non-oxidizing service. Mica-faced versions suit hot oxidizing gas lines.

Do you support non-standard shapes?

Yes. Obround, rectangular with radiused corners, segmental, and drawing-based geometries are available.

Category Note: Position Among Sealing Options

This gasket offers low seating stress, good recovery, and adaptable facings. It typically sits between soft sheet and kammprofile/spiral-wound solutions—ideal when flanges are imperfect, bolt load is limited, or media demands tailored facing materials. Contact our corrugated gasket supplier team to review your service and request a quote.