DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 1

THE GASKET
FABRICATOR
www.gasketfab.com

Volume 27 Number 3

DECEMBER 2008

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

IN THIS ISSUE
President's Message
Pages 1-2

Clem Foley

Hang in There!

As you read this, our Canadian elections
New Association
are just over and the U.S.A. one will be finalized
Members
as well. In Canada, we have five political parties
Page 2
compared to the main two in the States. Our
voting can become a little complicated and
Meet the New Director
confusing so this year, I tried a very simplistic
Page 2
approach to voting. I drove around and counted
all the lawn signs and voted for the person with
Company Profiles
the most signs. I guess I was not the only one to
Page 3
use that approach as we elected two independent
members
of
parliament.
Both
were
sales people for Remax Reality. Boy, were
Future Meeting Schedule
they surprised!
Page 3

On a more serious note, how about that ever changing economy? As
a
friend
of mine said, This is worse than a divorce, I lost half my assets and I
Press Releases
still
have
my wife. His words, not mine.
Page 5

Frankly, we have had it very good for a long time and our economies
needed
a
retrofit. Over the next little while, most of us will have to learn to live
Member Presentation
on
less,
spend
less, plan better, perform business tasks we have been putting
Summaries
aside, and overall, we will rethink a lot of things we do and why we do them.
Page 6
This is good for our firms and the economy as well. We are getting back to the
basics and not living in a dream world. Hang in there. As an association and
Eco-Materials and
group of friends, we will help each other out and climb this hill. The end result,
Sustainability
whenever it may come, will be stronger and healthier companies and employees.
Page 7
Change is good when it teaches us lessons and points us in the right direction.

For those of you that own your companies, now may be the time to stop
Membership Anniversaries
and smell the roses. You are more in control of your destiny than an executive
Page 7
employed by a supplier firm. Money and growth can be gained or lost in a very
short time frame and often through no fault of your own. The prize at the end
Fall Meeting Photos
of the road becomes minute if you do not have your health or great friends.
Pages 8-9

When we attend these GFA meetings, we often travel to locations that
are
really
beautiful and also relaxing, but most plan to just make the meetings
General Rubber Compounds
and fly home as soon as they can to get back to work so that one day, they can
Pages 10-11
afford to take a vacation with their family and mellow out.

Please think about this for a second. You are already at a convention
Gasket Factors: m, y
that
more
often than not, it takes the better part of a day to get there and you
Pages 11 & 13-14
are away from the office. Why not arrive a couple of days early and enjoy the
peace and quiet, get acclimatized, and spend time with your spouse or friend.
Benchmarking Report
You can also stay a couple of days after the meetings to again relax or party,
Page 14
Continued on Page 2...

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
(Continued from Page 1...)

depending on your makeup, and the cost to you will be

four additional nights accommodations. It just seems to
me that this would add so much more pleasure to your life,
give you quality time with your spouse or friend, and it
just may show your office that yes, they can actually run
your business without you phoning in every half hour.

Everybody wins!

It was a great meeting at the Loews Ventana
Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ, and I am looking forward
to spending some time with you March 31 to April 2 at
the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, FL. Maybe I should
say March 29 to April 4.

Remember...... Life is short.

NEW ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS
Fabricator
CGS Technologies, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
www.CGSTech.com
Leader Global Technologies
Deer Park, TX
www.leadergt.com
Marian, Inc.
Indianapolis, IN
www.marianinc.com
Suppliers
Arlon Engineered Coated Products
Dallas, TX
www.arlon.com/ecp
Repuestos Auto-Industriales, SA de CV
(RAISAMEX)
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
www.raisamex.com.mx
Virtek Vision International
Waterloo, ON, Canada
www.virtek.ca

DECEMBER 2008

MEET THE NEW

DIRECTOR
Pamela Siano Fardelos,
National Sales Manager
Adchem Corporation

Pamela S. Fardelos
received her undergraduate
degree in International Business
& Foreign Languages at Lake
Erie College in Painesville, OH,
and she attained her MBA from
Babson Colleges F.W. Olin
Graduate School of Business.

Pamela has over 20
years of experience in the pressure-sensitive tape industry
in various global sales and marketing management
positions. She has served as National Sales Manager for
the Adchem Corporation for five years, with a focus on high
performance, highly engineered bonding applications.

NEWSLETTER
The Gasket Fabricator is published by the Gasket Fabricators
Association and distributed to all members and prospective
members of GFA.
President ................................................................Clem Foley
Vice President ...................................................Steve Hanson
Executive Director....................................... Robert H. Ecker
Administrative Director/Newsletter Editor...............Peter Lance
Communications Committee Chair.....................Chris Brand
Members are encouraged to contribute articles and items of
interest to the Gasket Fabricator. All contributions should
be addressed to: Executive Director, GFA, 994 Old Eagle
School Road, Suite 1019, Wayne, PA 19087-1866, Phone
(610) 971-4850, Fax (610) 971-4859, Home Page: www.
gasketfab.com, E-mail: info@gasketfab.com.
Articles appearing in this publication may not be
reproduced without written consent from the Association.
Articles appearing in the Gasket Fabricator are the
views of the authors and not necessarily those of the
Association.
Copyright 2008 Gasket Fabricators Association

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 3

COMPANY PROFILES
K-Flex USA

K-Flex USA, with offices and manufacturing
operations in Youngsville, NC, is the North American
business unit for LIsolante K-Flex, headquartered in
Milan, Italy.

LIsolante K-Flex is the worlds leading
manufacturer of elastomeric thermal insulations with
worldwide manufacturing operations in China, Poland,
India, Turkey, Italy, United States, Iran, and Russia.

LIsolante K-Flexs mission is to draw upon
its global experience to provide elastomeric insulation
products that are energy-saving, innovative, fiber free,
mold and mildew resistant, environmentally friendly, and
easy-to-use.

K-Flex USA products are used in residential,
commercial, industrial, solar, marine and OEM
applications. Our materials are offered in a variety of
wall thicknesses and lengths from cut to length pieces to
continuous coils. Tube, sheet, and roll forms are available
with or without easy-to-use pressure sensitive adhesives.
Sheet/Roll products are available up to 60 wide and 2
thick.

K-Flex USA products meet exacting industry
standards, (945U) national building codes, and are
third party certified. Our products carry FM, UL, and
GREENGUARD approvals. The GREENGUARD
Environmental Institute (GEI), a third party listing agency
has listed K-Flex LS, Insul-Tube, Insul-Sheet and
K-Flex Gray Duct Liner as mold resistant. These
products are also GREENGUARD certified as low VOC
materials, meeting the requirements of the Children and
Schools Classification.

Our experienced worldwide sales team and
dedicated inside sales representatives are available to
answer your questions and serve your needs. Please
contact us to learn more about K-Flex USA. Visit our
website at www.kflexusa.com or call at 800-765-6475.

Visit us online at:

www.gasketfab.com

Arlon Engineered Coated

Products

Arlon Engineered Coated Products (ECP) has
been a World Class leader in pressure sensitive adhesive
coatings for over 40 years. Arlon ECP manufactures
pressure sensitive tape products, including double
and single coated foams, papers, films, foils, transfer
adhesives and other custom coated specialty products.
Providing solvent and aqueous adhesive solutions,
Arlon ECP products cover a wide range of performance
characteristics.

Key applications are gasketing, vibration
dampening, mounting, sealing, sound deadening, weather
stripping, medical, automotive, appliance and general
industrial markets.

Arlon ECP offers complete converting for end
users and distributors, including custom slitting, corona
treating, flame laminating and die cutting.

Arlon ECP is headquartered in San Antonio,
Texas, and has another manufacturing facility in Dallas,
Texas. Both sites are ISO 9001:2001 certified

For more information, please contact Dan Morse,
Director of Sales and Marketing at 303-841-2378.

GFA FUTURE MEETING

SCHEDULE
Spring 2009 Semi-Annual Meeting &
Celebration of GFA's
30th Anniversary
March 31 - April 2, 2009
Saddlebrook Resort
Tampa, FL
Fall 2009 Semi-Annual Meeting
September 22-24, 2009
Arizona Grand Resort
Phoenix, AZ

PAGE 4

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

DECEMBER 2008

MANUFACTURES OF

DURAFOAM

TM

CLOSED CELL SPONGE

& PLASTIC FOAM

GO GREEN WITH

BONDAFLEX

TM

97% RECYCLED MATERIAL

PHONE: 1.800.375.1960 FAX: 1.800.375.1962

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 5

PRESS RELEASES
Freeman Schwabe
Machinery On The Move

Freeman Schwabe Machinery, a Global OEM of
Die Cutting Presses, Machines and Systems, has purchased
a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Clermont
County, Ohio and completed the move in August 2008.

President and CEO Greg DeFisher commented:
This is the right move for Freeman Schwabe, as there is
demand for our products throughout the world, and we
required space better suited to our manufacturing and
assembly needs as well as a showplace to demonstrate
our Die Cutting Presses, Machines and Systems to our
customers. Clermont County, and in particular, Union
Township is a great location for our type of Global Business
and has given us great support. The building plans will
allow the facility to eventually grow to 50,000 SF.

Freeman Schwabe serves a broad range of
industries globally, including automotive interiors,
packaging, gaskets, carpet tiles, and envelopes to name a
few. Additionally, the magnetic stripe on the Ohio driver's
license is applied on a Freeman Schwabe machine.

Freeman Schwabes new address is: 4064
Clough Woods Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103 USA (1513-947-2888). More information about Freeman
Schwabe is available on the company's website at www.
freemanschwabe.com.

Monmouth Achieves ISO

9001:2000

Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp. is proud to
announce its ISO 9001: 2000 certification. This milestone
brings added value to our customers namely gasket
cutters, fabricators and resellers worldwide, said John
M. Bonforte Jr. Sales Manager.

Our ISO 9001: 2000 certification has been
made possible through the hard work and a team based
atmosphere possessed by the Monmouth Rubber family
of dedicated people, said Bonforte. For over 40 years,
Monmouths commitment to its customers has been state
of the art quality and product performance. The ISO
certification reinforces that commitment toward quality
management practices.

Monmouth manufactures closed cell sponge
rubber and plastic foam in Long Branch, NJ. For
more information, call (800) 375-1960 or visit www.
rubberplastics.com

New GFA Member Service

The GFA, in collaboration with the

International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
(IADD), is offering a new service to members.

Through the Members Only area of the GFAs
website, you can access TechTeam, a group of
dedicated and experienced industry professionals who
stand ready to assist you with your specific technical
questions, issues, and problems.

When you contact them through the website,
their mission is to quickly research and answer
your technical gasket fabricating, diecutting, and
diemaking questions in an unbiased, confidential,
current, and direct manner. It's like having a team of
industry experts at your side, at no additional cost to
you!

GFA Members can access the service by
clicking on Members Only on the GFAs home page
(www.gasketfab.com). Members who have forgotten
their user name and password should contact the GFA
office at 610-971-4850 or info@gasketfab.com.

Rich Corr With Venture

Tape Presented With Plaque
By GFA

Bob Ecker, GFA Executive Director (center) presented

Rich Corr with Venture Tape Corporation and his wife
Betty Anne with a plaque for Richs invaluable service
rendered to the GFA while serving on the Board from
2005 - 2008.

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 6

DECEMBER 2008

MEMBER PRESENTATION SUMMARIES

Below are summaries of presentations given by GFA Members at the Fall Meeting in Tucson, AZ.

Armacell, LLC

Armacell accelerated its growth in advanced foams
and engineered thermoplastics in 2008, concluding a twopart transaction with Cellect that significantly broadens
Armacells polyolefin foam product line. Armacell
purchased Cellects physically blown, non-crosslinked
polypropylene business the PropaCene, E-Cell and
T-Board products for numerous applications in key
segments like automotive, packaging and construction.

PropaCene is a 100% recyclable, patented blend
of polypropylene and metallocene polyethylene resin
that provides strength, higher temperature resistance and
improved stiffness at less thickness and lower density. It
has superior moisture, chemical and impact resistance.
In specific applications it is a value-added replacement
for non-foam films, crosslinked PP and PE foams for
automotive water shields, air caps, evaporator trays and
fender silencers, bottle cap gaskets and other uses.

E-Cell is also a patented blend of PE and
metallocene PE for gasket, packaging and construction
applications. T-Board is physically blown high density
foam of polypropylene-based resins in a flat sheet form.

In the second part of the transaction, Armacell and
Cellect completed a long term global supply agreement for
Armacell to market, sell and distribute Cellects I-Cell
irradiated crosslinked PE foams. In North America,
Armacell is focused on marketing and distributing I-Cell
specifically for automotive, flooring and bottle cap
applications.

MACtac

MACtac is a manufacturer of pressure
sensitive adhesive tapes, double and single-sided tapes,
foams, films and foils, serving a wide range of markets.
MACtac was founded in 1959 in Stow, Ohio and we still
have our world wide headquarters there. MACtac is a
global company with facilities in 12 countries, with our
European-Asian headquarters located in SOIGNIES,
BELGIUM.

MACtac is well staffed and positioned to
support your business regionally, and on a global scale
employing over 1600 people world wide. MACtac
had net sales last year of approximately 630 million,
and is part of the Bemis Company located in Neenah,
Wisconsin. Our parent company Bemis had net sales
last year of approximately 3.6 billion dollars, with

56 plants in 10 different countries, employing

over 16,000 people world wide. Some of our sister

companies include, Curwood, Perfecseal, Clysar,

Banner Packaging, Dixie Toga, Milprint Incorporated
and Bemis Tape.

MACtacs Specialty Division includes MACtac
Technical Products, MACtac Medical Products,
Transdermal Medical group, and our Specialty Custom
Products Group. MACtac has multiple adhesive
platforms and can coat solvent rubber and acrylic
based adhesives, modified acrylics, hot melt, emulsion,
transdermal medical, and phenolic adhesives on a
wide variety of substrates including; SCK, PCK, PET
Polystyrene, metalized film and papers, foil, FSK, ASJ,
tissue, and scrim to name a few.

MACtac has the ability to zone coat adhesives,
pattern coat adhesives and can coat in a variety of
thicknesses up to 50 mil. We have the adhesive solution
for you and look forward to working with you. Call us at
800-328-2619.

Rogers Foam Corporation

Rogers Foam Corporation is a custom converter
of end applications using Specialty Foams, Films, Fabrics,
and Adhesive Systems.
Our expertise is developing
innovative solutions for your custom designed applications.

Rogers Foam Corporation is a privately held
company and considered one of the largest foam fabricators
worldwide. We have multiple locations globally and
continue to expand our presence within North America,
Europe and Asia through the acquisition of existing
businesses and development of new applications and
markets for foam-based products.

We possess an extensive set of converting
capabilities within our various facilities. In addition,
we can provide specialty fabrication and assembly work
in a cost effective manner. Combined with an in-house
Design and Engineering group, we can provide a cradle
to grave solution for you.

RFCs long history of fabrication expertise and
supplier partnerships has enabled us to possess a broad
working knowledge in a diversified range of materials
that may be used to meet your customers performance
objectives.

Rogers Foam Corporation is a full service
company that can design and supply a diversified set of
solutions for your customers needs. We look forward
to working together with you on your upcoming projects.

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 7

ECO-MATERIALS AND SUSTAINABILITY

By: Demitri Fardelos and Tim Vos, Amorim Cork Composites

Sustainability is on everyones mind these
days both at home and in the office. Companies large
and small are making efforts in conservation working
toward the triple bottom line of People, Planet and
Profit. What about making sustainability a part of
your companys vision? Create an ongoing process
for getting each part of the company to recognize and
understand its environmental, economic and social
impacts. Each department should be thinking about
how they can use that knowledge to innovate through
a systematic and integrated approach to all daily tasks.

Entering into partnerships with customers
and suppliers who share the same ideals with all
three aspects of the bottom line in mind can give you
a competitive advantage. In every place from the
purchasing department to the material specifiers, an
impact can be made. Purchasing recycled paper for
the office is a simple step. However, a paperless office
is a whole new concept and takes a little more effort,
but the gains are greater.

The same applies to using materials for
production purposes. Identifying and specifying
an eco-material may be a little more challenging.
Educating your customers regarding both new and
existing materials with a low environmental impact
can be a major differentiator for you in the years to
come. Your customers (or their customers) will require
green, eco-friendly, and sustainable benefits in the
products they use in the near future.

Gasket fabricators are used as a resource for
many industries and have direct influence in many
circumstances for material choices and design criteria
for OEMs. With the rising cost of petroleum-based
materials and the trend toward green manufacturing,
support of organic materials is growing due to the
lower costs to recycle, recover or reprocess. Low
material VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions
at both the fabrication and manufacturing levels are
also being recognized as a simple contributor to a
healthy workplace.

As an example, cork and cork rubber materials
can contribute in a variety of ways to a green
objective. Cork has a very low specific gravity and is a
lightweight component with enough compressibility in
1 square inch to support 14,000 lbs. of pressure and can
recover to at least 90% of its original thickness. Used
in rolling stock (auto, truck, bus, etc.) applications, the
lightweight factor is a key to improved fuel economy
and CO2 emission reduction. The combination of cork

and rubber are naturally excellent for anti-vibration and

acoustic control (NVH). The rubber component adds
to corks inherent ability to resist the penetration of
liquids. The organic cellular structure is excellent in
friction applications and retains the friction properties
even when in contact with oils or water. Benefits of
sustainable materials, such as cork, exist all around us
and are being refined for a variety of bio-technologies.

The bottom line is simple. A proactive approach
to new trends and updated requirements can lead you
toward dynamic new directions. Eco-based materials
are now a real part of a new industrial revolution and
recognition can easily be gained by being known as
an innovator in your industry. The work involved in
being an educated partner to both your customers and
suppliers can be rewarding in all aspects of your future
initiatives, giving you the competitive advantage in a
challenging economic environment.

MEMBERSHIP
ANNIVERSARIES

In 2008, the following companies are celebrating

anniversaries. We would like to thank them for their
ongoing support.
20 Years
Amorim Cork Composites, Inc.
Reeves-Trelleborg
15 Years
CGR Products, Inc.
E.G. Gasket & Supply, Inc.
Ilene Industries, Inc.
Scapa North America
10 Years
M&C Specialties
Southern Rubber Co., Inc.
TB Philly, Inc.
Technicon Industries
WARCO BILTRITE
5 Years
Armacell, LLC
Berry Plastics
Insul-Fab

PAGE 8

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

DECEMBER 2008

FALL 2008 MEETING

LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT
TUCSON, ARIZONA

Clem Foley, GFA President, and Steve Pendergast

at the Semi-Annual Dinner

Dr. Jeff Dietrich with the Institute for Trend

Research, presenter at the General Session

GFA New Members & First Time Attendees (left to right):

Matt Malles with Ecore International, Tom Wiley with CGS
Technologies, Inc., Toby Martinez with Syntac Coated
Products, Sandra Chastain with MACtac, Phil Pitney with
TBP Converting, and Carrie Marotta with Rogers Foam Corp.

Shelby Ricketts with Insul-Fab,

presenter at the General Session

Monica Hale with SAIC Energy Solutions

Operation, presenter at the General Session

Hotshot Gunslinger Johnny Tuscadero,

performer at the Semi-Annual Dinner

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

SUPPLIER EXPO

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

DECEMBER 2008

GENERAL RUBBER COMPOUNDS

By: Jim Ward, BRP Manufacturing

Rubber products are generally composed of four
major parts:

A)
polymers (the rubber portion)

B)
processing oils

C)
carbon blacks and/or fillers

D)
curing agents

In combining these items, you obtain the general
rubber products purchased within our industry. Polymer
(rubber) selection is usually based upon application and
material specifications. The following information may
be used to assist you in selecting the right rubber for the
application. Please remember that these are suggestions
based upon historical uses; for proper consideration
and accurate selections, please consult an applications
engineer.

Natural Rubber (polyisoprene) NR & Synthetic
Natural Rubber (polyisoprene) IR: Natural rubber
was the original rubber product. Its first uses were
in footwear, protective coverings, and tubing. It has
excellent abrasion and tear resistance with very high tensile
strengths. It has very poor heat, ozone, sunlight (UV),
oil, and fuel resistance. Its temperature range is -40 to
180 Fahrenheit. Its most common usages are in mining
and material conveyance (belting). Cost fluctuations due
to availability and market controls of this product make
it very price sensitive.

Synthetic natural rubber was developed during
World War II to provide rubber products to the Allied
countries while Japan controlled the Southeast Asian
rubber plantations. As a laboratory product, it is generally
higher in cost than NR.

SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) SBR: SBR
was the first synthetic elastomer. It was also developed
during WWII to replace the natural rubber used in tires.
It has excellent abrasion resistance with good tensile
strength. It has moderate heat resistance and may be
compounded to offer some ozone resistance. It has very
poor oil and fuel resistance. Its temperature range is -40
to 210 Fahrenheit. SBR was used to blend with other
polymers to help reduce cost, but skyrocketing market
costs and supply problems have minimized its use in
todays market. It is still a key component in tires.

Neoprene (polychloroprene) CR: Neoprene
was initially a trade name for one of the first synthetic
polymers developed by DuPont. It is a good general all
purpose elastomer with moderate oil and ozone resistance
and good compression set. High content polychloroprene
has excellent fungus resistance, flame retardance, and
bonding characteristics to metal. It has a very limited fuel

resistance. Its temperature range is -40 to 220 Fahrenheit.

A wide range of Neoprene products are offered within
the marketplace and used in many general applications
including military, automotive and appliance. Neoprene
is also used in the construction trade in high load bearing
applications.

Buna N (acrylonitrile butadiene) NBR:
Buna N (sometimes referred to as nitrile or NBR) is the
least expensive polymer associated with fuel (gasoline)
resistance. It has excellent fuel and oil resistance including
petroleum based lubricating oils and transmission fluids,
good compression set, low gas permeation rates, and
good low temperature flexibility. It has a very poor
ozone resistance. Its temperature range is -40 to 220
Fahrenheit. It is generally used where continuous exposure
to gasoline or oil is needed. The development of alcohol
blended fuels, flex fuels and biodiesel products may
present application issues when considering Buna N
in those type applications.

EPDM (ethylene propylene polymer) EP:
EPDM may also be referred to as EPT, EP or some
variation in ethylene propylene. EPDM is generally
considered to be the most economic polymer with the
widest environmental resistance. It has excellent low
temperature, heat, coolant, water, steam, ozone, and
sunlight (UV) resistance. It has virtually no resistance
to oils or fuels. It is generally considered to be nonstaining to painted surfaces. Its temperature range is -60
to 240 Fahrenheit. With a peroxide curing system, the
temperature range is raised to 300 Fahrenheit and above.
EPDM is commonly used in automotive and building
applications, especially rubber roofing.

Butyl (isobutylene isoprene) IIR: Butyl rubber
is noted for its extremely low air permeability with a good
tear resistance; one of its first uses was in the manufacture
of tire inner tubes. It is still used today in the patch kits of
many cyclists. It has excellent water, steam, ozone, and
alkali resistance. It has very poor oil and fuel resistance.
Its temperature range is -40 to 240 Fahrenheit. Butyl
rubber is also very popular in the rubber roofing industry.

HYPALON (chlorosulfonated polyethylene)
CSM: HYPALON is another DuPont registered
trademark rubber. As engine temperatures increased,
HYPALON filled a niche where higher temperature
ranges were needed in Neoprene type applications.
It has excellent ozone, oxidation, and sunlight (UV)
resistance with moderate resistance to alkalis and acids.
It has similar oil resistance to Neoprene, but at higher
operating temperatures. Its temperature range is -40 to
Continued on Page 11...

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

GENERAL RUBBER
COMPOUNDS

(Continued from Page 10...)

240 Fahrenheit. With oil resistance in a wider temperature
range come higher costs than with other oil resistant
products.

Epichlorohydrin ECO, ECH: Epichlorohydrin
is commonly referred to as ECO or ECH, the technical
abbreviation assigned by ASTM standards. It has a wide
temperature range with excellent resistance to oils and
fuels. It also exhibits good ozone and sunlight resistance.
Its temperature range is -60 to 240 Fahrenheit. Its high
cost has prevented its use in many commercial applications,
but it is extremely popular in automotive fuel applications.

Fluoroelastomer (fluorocarbon) FKM: The
most common trade names in the fluoroelastomer products
are VITON, FLUOREL, and DYNEON. The fluorine
content of this rubber product makes it almost universally
applicable to any rubber application, but its cost dictates
otherwise. It has excellent fuel, oil, and high temperature
resistance as well as compression set, aging characteristics,
and flame retardance. Its major shortcoming is its very
poor low temperature characteristics. Its temperature
range is 0 to 450 Fahrenheit. It is extremely popular
in oil refining and electrical transformers where service
costs outweigh the cost of material.

Silicone: Silicone rubber products cover a very
wide range of chemical compositions; in most cases,
temperature values determine the proper chemical
composition. Silicone rubber is best noted for its broad
temperature range, excellent ozone resistance, and
excellent compression set. It has very poor tear strength
as well as poor tensile strengths. It has a moderate oil
resistance. Its temperature range is -80 to 500 Farenheit.
One of the most common usages for silicone is in
food processing. The broad range of silicone products
contributes to a very wide price range.

Other Rubber Products and Trade Names

Carboxylated Nitrile (XNBR)

Highly Saturated Nitrile (HNBR)

Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)

Polyacrylate (ACM)

Ethylene Acrylate VAMAC (AEM)

Chloropolyethylene (CM)

Polysulfide THIOKOL

Technical articles by GFA members that appeared

in past issues can be downloaded on the website
at www.gasketfab.com/techinfo.asp.

PAGE 11

GASKET FACTORS:
M, Y
By: Larry Pyle, LFP Technologies

BACKGROUND: The Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code is the standard by which all such vessels
are designed and built. The full code is contained in
multiple volumes that is revised and published every
two years by the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers. Addendums are issued twice yearly. The
cost of a copy of the entire code is approximately
$13,500.

The code establishes rules of safety governing
the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and
pressure vessels, and nuclear power plant components
during constructions. The objective of the rules is
to provide a margin for deterioration in service.
Advancements in design and material and the evidence
of experience are constantly being added by Addenda.

Originating in 1914, the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code is now adopted in part or in its
entirety by 49 states and numerous municipalities and
territories of the United States and all the provinces
of Canada. The Boiler and Pressure Committee, a
volunteer group of more than 950 engineers, keep
the Code current. The Committee meets regularly to
consider requests for interpretations, revision, and to
develop new rules.

GASKET FACTORS: Gaskets for the use
with these types of vessels governed by the Code are
also carefully controlled. This brings us to the definition
and use of the Gasket Factors that are used in the Code.

Because
the
mechanical
behavior
characteristics of the gasket are complex and specific
data are generally unavailable, the design of gasketed
joints has been reduced to a series of simplified
equations based on experimentally determined gasket
factors. The basic behavior of the gasket is supposedly
defined by the gasket factors, which are tabulated in the
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

This procedure has been successful and is still
widely used. Research in recent years, however, shows
that the present Code gasket factors give an overly
simplified view of the behavior of a gasket. A far more
complete understanding is emerging but that may be
the subject of a future article.

The y Factor: The y factor is the initial gasket
stress or surface required to preload or seat the gasket
to prevent leaks in the joint as the system is pressurized

The m Factor: When the vessel is pressurized,
the contact pressure on the gasket is reduced to some
Continued on Page 13...

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THE GASKET FABRICATOR

www.rogerscorp.com/hpf

DECEMBER 2008

DECEMBER 2008

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PAGE 13

GASKET FACTORS: M, Y (Continued from Page 11...)

residual value, depending on the elastomeric behavior
of the gasket and its relationship to the elasticity of
the joint. Experiments show that the liquid or gaseous
pressure a joint will contain is proportional to the
amount of residual contact pressure exerted by the joint
surfaces on the gasket and that the contact pressure on
the gasket contained pressure is called the m factor and
may be different for must be larger than the pressure
being contained. The ratio of the contact pressure to the
different types of gasket as suggested in the following
table of some typical m and y factors.

Some typical values for m and y are given in the
table below. A complete list can be found in the Code
(Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix II, Table 2-5.1).
Because a full copy of the table would be too large for
this publication, a full copy of the table can be provided
to those interested.
Type of Gasket

Maintenance
factor (m)

Min.seating
stress (y), psi

Mineral fiber with suitable

binder:

1/8 thick
2.00

1/16 thick
2.75

1/32 thick
3.50

1600
3700
6500

Spiral-wound metal, mineral

fiber filled:

Carbon
2.50

Stainless/Monel 3.00

10000
10000

Elastomers without fabric or

high percentage of mineral fiber:
Below 75A

Shore durometer 0.50

75A or higher

Shore
1.00

have shown that both of these gasket factors are equally

important.

FLANGED GASKETED JOINT DESIGN,
How to use m and y: Two design procedures are allowed
by the Code. Outlined below is the simpler of the two.
This procedure is covered in Section VIII, Division 1,
Appendix II of the Code. The more complex procedure
is also described in Section VIII, Division 2, of the Code
and allows the designer greater freedom of choice, but
requires a detailed design analysis. Those interested in
the more complex procedure can consult the Code.

The simpler procedure is described below. Refer
to the figure below.

0
200

Solid flat metal:

Soft Aluminum 4.00
8800

Iron or soft steel 5.50
18000


Note that the y and m factors, respectively, define
the amount of assembly stress that must be placed on
the gasket, and the amount of residual stress that must
be present to prevent a leak after the system has been
pressurized. Decades of experience and experiment

1) The designer selects the general size and type of flange

to be used.
2) Determines the following design conditions:


Operating temperatures


Operating pressures


Flange, bolt, and gasket materials


Allowable stress levels
3) Computes the loads which will be placed on the joint
by the internal pressure. This consists of two components:
the hydrostatic end force, HD, exerted on the closed
end of the vessel or pipe system, and the pressure force
HT which acts directly on the exposed inner face of the
flange surface. The end force reaches the flange through
the pipe and the hub.
4) Compute two bolt load: that required for the seating of
the gasket, WM2 , and that required to prevent leaks when
the system is pressured, WM1. In so the experimentally
Continued on Page 14...

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 14

GASKET FACTORS:
M, Y

BENCHMARKING
REPORT

(Continued from Page 13...)

determined and published y and m factors discussed above

are used. These calculations require an estimate of the
effective width of the gasket, b, using rules given by the
Code. Because of such things as flange rotation and nonuniform loading of the gasket, there can be substantial
change in the effective width. Note that the loaded gasket
exerts a reaction force, HG, on the flange, and that this
force is in the same direction as the previously calculated
pressure forces, HD and HT. The expression for seating
(Wm2) and maintenance (Wm1) bolt loads is:
Wm2 = bGy

Where:

Below are the results from the Benchmarking
Survey, which was undertaken to give GFA members
a thumbnail sketch of how other members are fairing
at this time.
We had 36 out of 78 Fabricator responses.
1. Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to
Previous Quarter

Wm1 = (G2/4) P + 2GbmP

G = diameter of the pressure
vessel to the midpoint of the gasket
P = contained pressure (psi)
b = effective width of the gasket
m, y = gasket constants discussed earlier

Wm1 is the minimum required bolt load for the
operating conditions.

Wm2 is simply the effective contact surface area
of the gasket (bG) times the recommended seating stress
(y, in psi). This defines the total clamping force the bolts
are expected to exert on the joint upon initial, roomtemperature assembly.

There are more steps in the full and complete procedure. What I have tried to provide here is the definition
and use of the Gasket Factors m and y. Those interested
in the detailed design procedure should consult the full
Code.
Resource material used:


2007 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,

Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix II


An Introduction to the Design and

Behavior of Bolted Joints,

by John H. Bickford, published by

Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1990

If you have technical questions you would

like to see answered in future issues,
please send them by e-mail to
lfptech@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 2008

UP
16
44%

DOWN
13
36%

SAME
7
19%

2. Current Quarter Sales Projection

Compared to Last Quarter

UP
9
25%

DOWN
19
53%

SAME
8
22%

We had 25 out of 63 Supplier responses.

1. Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to
Previous Quarter
UP
11
44%

DOWN
7
28%

SAME
7
28%

2. Current Quarter Sales Projection

Compared to Last Quarter
UP
5
20%

DOWN
16
64%

SAME
4
16%

DECEMBER 2008

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

PAGE 15

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www.venturetape.com

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PAGE 16

THE GASKET FABRICATOR

DECEMBER 2008

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