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MI Rubber & Gasket Convoluted WaveSeal GasketClick here for Design Details and Options Standard Straight-Flange, Storage Tank Panel Gasket
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Using our proprietary manufacturing process, MI is able to "slit" rolled rubber materials into wavy-edged or convoluted punched rolls that provide comparable sealing qualities to straight-edged rolls of the same overall width, but with a 20-40% improvement in material yield. WaveSeal does what gaskets should do by providing more equal sealing pressure resistance throughout the seal than standard straight-edge tank stripping gaskets...and at a considerable cost savings.
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The above illustration demonstrates the pressure distribution between bolt holes on a typical flange-type gasket seal. Seal effectiveness is relative to the pressure applied to the gasket and the distance from the center of that pressure to the outer edge of the gasket, as shown by the converging "Seal Center Lines" above, whether gasket is straight-edged or convoluted like MI's WaveSeal. Areas marked "Dead Area" contribute little if anything to the effectiveness of most straight flange seals and are, therefore, omitted from WaveSeal Gaskets for equalized pressure resistance and substantial cost savings in contrast to similar straight-edge gasketing. |
Gasket seals are formed by the combination of contact area and pressure applied by bolts or other fasteners to a gasket sandwiched between between two surfaces: In general, the effectiveness of a gasket seal is directly relative to these two factors; increased contact surface area and/or pressure increases seal pressure resistance and vice versa.
However, as mentioned above, the ideal gasket is one that provides even leak resistance throughout. In contrast, gasket designs that provide several times the pressure resistance in some areas compared to others are not better gaskets; they are more likely simply wasteful of material and possibly even less effective than a more material-efficient design. The only "more" that is better when it comes to gaskets is sealing performance, not the amount of material between surfaces.
Since no one else actually publishes standardized prices for this punched roll gasketing on the internet, we can't speak for others' prices. What we can say is that MI's standard 1-3/4" wide WaveSeal with 1/2" holes yields about 30% more lineal feet than comparable straight-edge 1-3/4" straight flange tank stripping from the same full-width master rolls of rubber...and those savings are reflected in our pricing, as are our material cost savings resulting being a high-volume user of calendared sheet rubber.
Additionally, MI's automated proprietary processes for manufacturing WaveSeal are remarkably labor and equipment efficient, making these relatively minor components of our prices. Again, we can't speak for others, but we wouldn't publish our prices (coming soon) if we were worried about our competition offering a better combination of quality and price.
As a semi-standard line, MI offers a wide range of rubber compounds, widths, thicknesses, hole sizes, and hole spacing configurations. Existing, standard sizes will be added soon, but even custom configurations can generally be produced for relatively low setup costs that will be waived on larger orders. Our easy Inquiry Form makes it easy to find out how much you can save by using MI WaveSeal straight flange gasketing.
Standard materials include weather and somewhat chemically resistant EPDM in black and white FDA grades, economical SBR rubber, high/low temperature resistant Silicone Rubber, petroleum and organic fat resistant Buna-N in commercial black or FDA white, heat and chemical resistant Viton (Fluoroelastomer), and versatile Neoprene. Most are available in 40-70 Shore A hardness and thicknesses from 1/16" to 1/4", with 3/32" and 1/8" being the most popular.
Our experienced technical sales and engineering staff will gladly work with you to fit the right WaveSeal to your application. Prompt personal service is always guaranteed fast, friendly, and free with MI.
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Metro Industries proudly operates under an ISO 9001:2008 Quality System (click to view certificate)Try MI Rubber & Gasket for the best information on the web on Rubber Washers, Flange Gaskets, O-Rings, Plastic Washers/Shims, Sponge Weather Stripping, Rubber Grommets, Steel Rule Die Cutting, Rubber Gaskets, Rubber Extrusions, Sheet Rubber, Sponge Rubber, Molded Rubber, Air Diffuser Tubes/Sleeves, Roll Slitting, and more.
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