By definition, a gasket is a mechanical seal that fills the gap between two surface areas. The purpose of this gap filler is to prevent leakage into or from the objects during its work function. Now, introducing high thermal stress into the equation would require greater abilities when two surfaces are bridged together with a high temperature gasket.
A high temperature gasket has the following abilities and qualities.
- Materials. Because of the irregularity of the surfaces to be joined together, a high temperature gasket must be made of material that can adjust in form and volume. In some instances, a sealant would be needed to properly seal the gasket unto the surface it would fill.
- Activity. A high temperature gasket is also important to equipment that generates force and heat. These qualities affect the stability and functionality of even the hardest substances. One prime example would be a bolt with a nut attaching a propeller. Centrifugal forces, torque produced as well as friction generate massive amounts of stress on the bolt. Leaving it naked without a gasket would only affect its stability as well as functionality, leading to issues in the long run.
- Surface. A high temperature gasket needs a surface it can cling to or attach itself. A mirror smooth surface would not provide the gasket proper surface attaching ability. If the gasket fails in its attachment, then the issues regarding leakages between the mated surface would eventually become the cause of the failure of the equipment.
As can be seen, a high temperature gasket, in order to function properly, must have accompanying qualities. The material used for the gasket must be appropriate to the stresses it would be contending with during its operations. The activity where the high temperature gasket is to be used must also be considered. Finally, the surface must allow the high temperature gasket to attach itself. Without these, the high temperature gasket would fail and eventually be the cause of equipment damage and breakdown.