There are lots of great things going on! First, I’m honored to be given Clem Foley’s

presidential reins and to work together building the value of the GFA with you. Here is how

I see it: GFA members tend to build signifi cant foundations for success. GFA leaders are

motivated to inspire growth for each member. I get to work with a great group of people to

deliver opportunities that enhance each member’s life, both professionally and personally.

I love this unique organization because you give me experiences to focus on success and

growth.

For some, the business recession is behind them and sales growth is occurring.

Now is the time to be leading this recovery phase of our economic cycle. Getting back to

taking appropriate risks can make the rate of change faster and the future brighter. I hope

your situation is improving, both from your personal leadership contributions and the

results you’re getting from an economic rebound. I look forward to checking in together at

the fall GFA meeting in September.

GFA’s Third Gasketing/Converting ExpoIs a Triumph!

In This Issue

President’s Message

Pages 1 - 2

New Association Members

Page 2

Future Meeting Schedule

Page 2

Company Profi les

Page 3

Press Releases

Page 5

Meet the New GFA Offi cers

and Directors

Page 6

GFA Committee Updates

Page 7

Gasketing/Converting Expo

Photos

Pages 8 - 9

Commonly Used Gasket

Terms

Pages 10 - 11 & 13 - 14

Benchmarking Report

Page 14

Volume 29 Number 2 August 2010

President’s Message

The Gasketing/Converting

Expo ‘10, presented by the Gasket

Fabricators Association (GFA) and held

at the Hilton Orlando, repeated the

success of the 2006 and 2008 Expos

by drawing about 450 attendees and

close to 100 exhibitors to a trade show

devoted exclusively to the gasketing

and converting industries. The event was co-sponsored by the International Association of

Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Fluid Sealing Association (FSA).

The program featured a full-day Expo with a cost-eff ective table top display

format that allowed a broad range of exhibitors to have unprecedented exposure to

gasket fabricators and converters without having to arrange for elaborate displays and

logistics. The feedback from both attendees and exhibitors has been unanimously positive,

with several attendees commenting that it was “the best trade show they ever attended.”

The next Gasketing/Converting Expo is already being planned for the spring of 2012

in Orlando. If you have not yet attended a Gasketing/Converting Expo or if you are not

currently a GFA Member, please e-mail your contact information to expo@gasketfab.com

to receive information on the Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘12.

President’s Message continued on next page.

August 2010Page 2

EGC Enterprises, Inc. (Fabricator)

Chardon, Ohio

www.egc-ent.com

Polymer Technologies, Inc. (Fabricator)

Newark, Delaware

www.polytechinc.com

American National Rubber - ANR (Supplier)

Ceredo, West Virginia

www.anr-co.com

ContiTech Elastomer-Coatings (Supplier)

Northeim, Germany

www.contitech.de

Novagard Solutions (Supplier)

Cleveland, Ohio

www.novagard.com

Talbros Cork Products (Supplier)

Faridabad, Haryana, India

www.bnt-talbros.com

Zotefoams Inc. (Supplier)

Walton, Kentucky

www.zotefoams.com

GFA Future MeetingSchedule

September 28-30, 2010

JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 29-31, 2011

PGA National Resort & Spa

Palm Beach, Florida

New Association Members

The new GFA technical webinars are now available

in the Members Only area of the GFA’s website – www.

gasketfab.com. Five 30 minute webinars cover what it took

me 26 years to fi nd out. These 5 modules give 30 minute

doses of the core knowledge an estimator needs to be more

eff ective at work. May I suggest that your team review them

if they missed the original webinars recently broadcast? New

employees can fast forward their learning curves with these

tools.

Hope you’ve seen the new GFA brochure. It

communicates what the members who succeed from

GFA are saying. In this issue, you will fi nd updates on the

GFA Committees provided by the committee chairs. The

GFA is built on these two important foundations: Strong

committees supported by a great administrative team.

GFA committees, made up of members, generate ideas

for improving the GFA. The administrative team, lead by

Executive Director Pete Lance, implements these ideas.

Please give your ideas to the committees. Thank you

committees and administrators for your passion and energy!

Please use GFA as a tool to build your business

success. Attending the GFA meetings gets you outside your

walls into a larger community where you can learn, teach,

probe and grow. Everyone takes home a unique focus on

success based on what they seek to discover. I am sure you

will take home key ideas that your customers will appreciate.

Please forward this “Gasket Fabricator” to your team

members at your company.

Thank you to all the contributors of this “Gasket

Fabricator” newsletter!

Thank you to Pete Lance, Bob Ecker, the GFA board

and all of you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the

president’s position, and for your support. Onwards and

Upwards!

President’s Message (Continued from Page 1)

August 2010Page 3

Talbros has been manufacturing rubber-cork

products since 1981 mainly for the Automotive & Electrical

Industry. Since then, Talbros has made additions to its

product line, as well as adopted signifi cant technological

and quality improvements propelling us to become India’s

largest cork-rubber manufacturer.

Besides catering to the domestic demand, a large

portion of our production is being exported to the Americas,

Australia, Europe, South-East Asia, Middle East, and African

markets. Approximately 75 % of our revenue is derived from

sales outside India with 50% of the revenue from sales to the

United States.

In the 1990’s, Talbros decided to venture into the

manufacturing of cork and cork rubber gaskets for Engines,

Transmissions, Transformers, Gas Meters, as well as other

areas. The decision to provide value added products to

our customers has been instrumental in the growth of the

company; sales of gaskets are primarily made to the US

market where we supply approximately 2.5 million gaskets a

year and this number is growing signifi cantly. We have now

also ventured into the Friction Material and Anti-Vibration

pads segment.

At Talbros, we are proud of our quality systems and

in pursuit for excellence and continuous improvement, we

have earned the following certifi cations and approvals- ISO/

TS 16949 certifi cation, RoHS Compliance Certifi cation, and

the DIN 3535-5 DVGW Certifi cation.

The company’s manufacturing facilities are located

in Faridabad and its products are available through a

global network of agents, alliances, representatives and

distributors, apart from that, our material is widely approved

by Transformers & Gasketing companies for use by their

fabricators. To learn more about Talbros Cork, please visit

our website at www.bnt-talbros.com

Company Profi les

EGC Enterprises Inc. is a high technology

engineering and manufacturing organization specialized

in producing graphite fl uid sealing components, graphite

composite laminates, and specialty graphite products. The

Company purchases raw graphite material from various

qualifi ed vendors, and performs die-forming, laminate die

cutting, and coining operations to produce graphite gaskets,

seals, laminates and heaters. EGC off ers many specialized

graphite gasket materials such as multi-layer graphite

and metal laminates. Along with our wide variety of high

temperature centric gasket materials, EGC also specializes in

manufacturing engineered graphite stem packing sets and

pressure seals.

To maintain the quality and delivery requirements

our customers have come to expect over the years, EGC

has adopted its own specifi cation for fl exible graphite

material…Thermafoil. Thermafoil fl exible graphite off ers

choices while not sacrifi cing quality and also preserving our

customers’ material specifi cations. Thermafoil is the best

graphite foil available due to the continuity of the material

we supply to our customers. Thermafoil is available in many

diff erent grades and laminate forms, such as TF-LHR, which

is equivalent to the standard gasket material GHR.

There are several manufacturers of fl exible graphite

throughout the world today, but only a select few come

close to meeting our Thermafoil material specifi cations.

EGC carefully selects materials from these preferred

manufacturers and constantly tests their products for

conformity to the Thermafoil specifi cation. The end result

for our customers is assured continuity of the supplied

material that will continue to meet their quality standards.

EGC is an Ohio corporation established in 1978 with offi ces

and manufacturing in Chardon, Ohio. EGC employs over 50

people in manufacturing and engineering.. EGC is a certifi ed

ISO 9000 manufacturer with design.

Contact EGC Enterprises at 1-800-342-0211 or visit

our website at www.egc-ent.com.

August 2010Page 4

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NewsletterThe Gasket Fabricator is published by the GFA and is distributed

to all members and prospective members.

President ............................................................................Steve Hanson

Vice President ..........................................................Terry S. Galanis, Jr.

Executive Director/Newsletter Editor...........................Peter Lance

Management Advisor.................................................Robert H. Ecker

Communications Committee Chair...........................David Soliday

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, 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 2010 Gasket Fabricators Association

son

alanis, Jr.

Peter Lance

obert H. Ecker

.....David Soliday

ticles and items of

ntributions should

994 Old Eagle Schoo

hone (610) 971-4850

b.com.

not be reproduced

Articles appearing

e authors and

Newsket Fabricator is publishr

and prospectiv

.......................

......................

sletter Edit

.....................

mittee Chai

uraged to con

Gasket Fabrica

sed to: Executive Dire

Road, Suite 1019, Wayne, PA 190

Fax (610) 971-4859, E-mail: inf

in the Ga

not necessarily th

© Copyright 2010 Gasket

August 2010Page 5

Management Transition Begins at Monmouth Rubber

Press Releases

Monmouth Rubber

and Plastics is pleased

to announce that John

Bonforte Jr. is taking

over the company’s day-

to-day operations as

Monmouth’s new COO.

“I have been involved in

the business since I was a

teenager working in the plant second shift after school and

summers,” said Bonforte, who has served as the company’s

sales manager since 2004. “I’m proud to expand my duties

to manage all aspects of our business.” As sales manager,

Bonforte was responsible for sales, quality and customer

service. His role will now include day-to-day decision making,

strategic planning and overseeing the manufacturing

operation. Bonforte’s father, John Sr., will remain active full-

time with the company as technical and market development

director and retains his title as general manager.

“The timing for the transition is right, because

markets are changing, and MRPC needs to position itself with

21st century management and planning,” the elder Bonforte

said. John Jr. graduated from the University of Rhode Island

in 1994 with a bachelor of science in marketing. Aside from

his experience with Monmouth, John Jr. also was an outside

sales representative for GE Plastics from 1998 to 2003, selling

engineered thermoplastic resins.

For more information, call the company at 1-888-

FOAM-888 or 1-732-229-3444, or visit the Monmouth website

at www.rubberplastics.com.

ECORE International Launches New Industrial Web Tool

ECORE International is proud to announce the

launch of our new website designed specifi cally to service

our Industrial customer base. The new website contains a

user-friendly interface to assist our customers in choosing a

material that best fi ts their application needs. The “products”

category of the site contains information on ECORE’s cork/

rubber blends, composition cork, masticated rubber, friction

materials and many more industrial cork and rubber products.

You are also able to download the material specifi cation sheets

directly from the site. This useful tool allows our customers 24-

hour access to our library of products and product specifi cations.

Please navigate your browser to the following

URL to explore this new and exciting website: http://www.

ecoreindustrial.com. At ECORE International, we are committed

to providing sustainable product solutions that improve the

quality of both individual lives and the natural environment.

Supporting an extensive collection of products and brands, we

contribute to quality design and effi cient performance across

markets and industries. Whether renovating the local school,

building a football stadium, sealing a fl uid application, sound

proofi ng a multi-housing complex, or engineering the space

shuttle, ECORE’s collection of products and brands has a solution

to fi t. If you have questions about any of the products that ECORE

International has to off er, please contact Matt Malles, ECORE

National Sales Manager at matt.malles@ecoreintl.com

August 2010Page 6

Meet the New GFA Offi cers and DirectorsPresident: Steve Hanson Steve Hanson has been

an active GFA member for 15

years. He is motivated by the

opportunity and challenge of

building organizations into market

leaders. Currently serving as

president of PGC in Minneapolis,

Steve has enjoyed applying

everything he’s experienced

at larger corporations and from academic training in

engineering and business. Today, Steve creates new value

for customers to help them compete, with the help of a

great team. In 1996, he purchased the company and has

repositioned PGC in the global market, allowing growth to

occur. Steve and Susan Cary-Hanson, spouse of 33 years,

co-own PGC and lead the management team, off ering the

company unique individual skills and growth opportunities.

Their daughter, Sarah, now lives in San Diego, providing them

escape to warmer weather during Minnesota winter. An active

runner, Steve and Susan also enjoy bike riding and travel.

Board Member:David SolidayDavid has been with Chicago

Wilcox Manufacturing, South

Holland, IL for 14 years in various

management positions. His

responsibilities have increased

with each role change to his

current position of Vice President.

David is also an active member of the GFA’s Program &

Locations Committee and is the new Chairman of the

Communications Committee.

Board Member:Shelby Ricketts Shelby Ricketts is the

President of Concote Corporation,

which operates Insul-Fab as one of

its divisions. Shelby represents the

second generation of ownership at

Concote. Shelby has been involved

with Concote since his childhood,

spending summers loading trucks

or producing parts. He joined

Concote in an offi cial capacity in 1998, after practicing law

for several years with a Dallas law fi rm and serving as Real

Estate Counsel for Blockbuster Entertainment at its corporate

headquarters in Dallas. In his capacity as President, Shelby

works primarily in sales and assists with the Quality and

Management Systems for the company. Shelby resides in

Dallas with his wife, Christy, and their two children, Caroline

and Henry.

Secretary/Treasurer: Ken Stober Ken Stober is President

and CEO of Mueller Die Cut

Solutions. Mueller, with

manufacturing locations in

Charlotte, NC and Suzhou,

China, has been a member

of the GFA since its founding.

Don Stober, Ken’s father is a past president of the GFA. Ken

has previously served as the Chair of the Programs and

Locations Committee, and is presently the Vice-Chair of the

Membership Committee.

Vice President: Terry S. Galanis, Jr.Terry S. Galanis, Jr. is the President

and CEO of Sealing Devices, Inc.

Terry joined Sealing Devices

in 1972 and became President

in 1984. Sealing Devices, Inc.,

a family company founded by

Terry S. Galanis, Sr. in 1963, has

three branches – Rochester

and Syracuse, New York, and

Erie, Pennsylvania. He is a Past President of the Parker Seal

Distributor Advisory Council and the World Presidents

Organization (WPO). Terry lives with his wife, Nancy in Marilla,

New York, and has three daughters and six grandchildren.

August 2010Page 7

GFA Committee Updates

Communications Chris Brand, Outgoing Chairman A great time was had

by all at the last meeting and

I would personally like to

thank all that participated. As

a committee, we put forward

suggestions for several changes

to the way business is being

done.

Currently, the Communications Committee is in the

process of discussing the eff ectiveness of a performance

analysis survey. As part of this, the member companies of

the GFA are seeking new ways of benchmarking themselves

in order to more accurately be able to evaluate their

performance. The Communications Committee continually

seeks to increase business information fl ow in an eff ort to

further expand our markets and to ensure the continued

prosperity of all GFA members. See you in Vegas!

TechnicalGary Guzek, Chairman The Technical Committee

has just fi nished the fi rst technical

webinar series. This fi ve section

webinar entitled “Estimator’s Guide

to Basic Gasketing” turned out to

be a great success.

From understanding the

application to looking at results vs.

estimate, the series was a tool for people new to the industry,

as well as veterans to the gasket world. Each of the webinars

is available in the Members Only area of of the GFA’s website.

Based on the positive response, future webinars and their

content will be discussed at the Fall 2010 meeting. If you have

any ideas or would like to see something presented, come to

the Technical Committee meeting and share your thoughts.

The committee is also looking for members to submit

technical articles for the GFA newsletter. Articles can be about

materials, processes, techniques, or anything else related

to the die cutting industry. Articles can be submitted to the

association offi ce. Here’s your chance to get published !

We are also looking for members to give us ideas

for technical programs for future meetings. Past programs

included topics such as nanotechnology, slitting & laminating,

& non contact (water / laser ) cutting options. We utilize

members of the association and also experts in a given fi eld to

put together programs. Share an idea with the committee and

you might get to see a presentation on it at a future meeting.

The best way to get value as a member of the GFA is

to join a committee and share your ideas.

Program & LocationsSusan Cary-Hanson, Chairman The Program and

Locations Committee’s objective

is to add value to your GFA

membership by off ering topics to

support and grow your business

and to assist you with operating

your company during challenging times.

Please join us at a committee meeting to provide

your input. As members, our support and committee

work supply the necessary information to assure we have

meetings that attract new members and retain our current

membership through programs that are relevant, current,

and answer your important questions.

Joining a committee is one of the best ways to take advantage of your GFA

membership. Contact the GFA offi ce at 610-971-4850 or info@gasketfab.com if

you would like to join a committee.

August 2010Page 8

Gasketing/Converting Expo ‘10 PhotosHilton Orlando

Clem Foley (left) was presented with a plaque for his contributions as President of the GFA, and Linda Cleveland and

Ed Bowman were presented with plaques for serving on the Board of Directors

Attendees of The Future of Converting Methods

Technical Session

David Plourde with Preco, Inc. leading The Future of

Converting Methods Technical Session

GFA New Members and First Time Attendees Chuck Connors with Connors Consulting

presenting at the General Session

August 2010Page 9

August 2010Page 10

Commonly Used Gasket TermsBy: Larry Pyle, LFP Technologies

MD/CMD/Z-STRENGTH: These are common

abbreviations for tensile strength properties of most materials

used for gaskets. Ideally, the tensile strengths in the X and

Y directions of any sheet of material should be the same. In

most cases however they are not the same. MD means the

tensile strength in the machine direction. Paper in particular

is supposed to be random in its’ fi ber orientation, however, it

is run in a continuous process which allows the fi bers in the

mix to orient themselves, in varying degrees in the direction

of machine travel. CMD means the tensile strength in the

cross machine direction. If there is any diff erences between

the tensile values between the MD and CMD tensile values

it is usually due to this orientation of fi bers. This can easily

be seen when tearing a piece of paper. It will easily tear in a

straight line if torn parallel to the machine direction. Tearing

at right angles to the MD, the tear will not be anywhere near

straight.

Z-STRENGTH is the internal strength of the material.

Suppose that the fl at surfaces were glued to plates and

then these plates pulled apart. Failure should occur within

the material itself (cohesive failure). The value of the stress

required to fail the material internally. This property manifests

itself whenever the gasket material adheres to any fl ange

surface upon removal, leaving material which will require

additional removal. In most instances, the use of anti-stick

coatings or material with higher Z-Strength will reduce the

sticking problem. One material which has relatively poor

Z-Strength is expanded graphite.

ASPECT RATIO: The aspect ratio of a shape is the

ration of the longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It

may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-

dimensional shape, such as the ration of the longest and

shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by

only two dimensions, such as the length and diameter of a rod.

Aspect ratio is often used to describe the properties of fi bers

and various fi llers in gasket materials. Generally speaking, the

larger the aspect ratio of the primary fi ber constituent in the

material, the higher the tensile strength and fl exibility of the

sheet. The term Aspect Ratio is sometimes used to describe

the ratio of surface area to volume of a fi ber.

BASIS WEIGHT/AREA WEIGHT: The paper density of

a type of paper or cardboard (or gasket paper) is the mass of

the product per unit area. The term density is used somewhat

incorrectly, as density is mass by volume. More precisely, “paper

density” is a measure of the area density. There are two ways of

expressing paper density:

- Expressed in grams per square meter (g/m2), paper

density of known as grammage. This is the term used to most of

the World.

- Expressed in terms of the mass (in pounds) density of

known as basis weight. The base size and area used depends

on the product type. In gasket materials it is common to use

pounds/100 square feet as the basis.

WET FILM/DRY FILM (THICKNESS): Common used in the

application of adhesives or other coatings when the material

is applied in a wet state, as most are. Coating and adhesives a

most commonly diluted with either a solvent or other diluents

like water. These give the substance the proper consistency

for uniform application. During the process these diluents are

evaporated off leaving the fi nal thickness of coating or adhesive.

The thickness of the fi nal solid coating or adhesive is referred to

as the “dry fi lm thickness”. The thickness of the proper amount

of “wet” material applied to the product to yield the proper “dry”

fi lm is called the “wet fi lm thickness”. The ratio of the “dry fi lm”

to the “wet fi lm” is referred to as the “solids ratio” expressed as a

percentage. For example, in the manufacturing of rubber coated

steel, a “wet” fi lm thickness of .003” would yield a solid coating of

.0006” if the solids ratio were 20%. The fi gure below illustrates a

type of gauge which might be used to measure “wet fi lms”.

August 2010Page 11

Commonly Used Gaskets(Continued from Page 10)

ENDOTHERMIC/EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS:

Endothermic describes a process or reaction that absorbs

energy in the form of heat. The opposite of an endothermic

process is an exothermic process, one that releases energy

in the form of heat. Endothermic is typical for chemical

reactions whereby thermal energy (by the application

of external heat) is converted to chemical bond energy,

typical of adhesive to bond gasket laminates. The opposite

or exothermic reaction would be where a two-part epoxy,

mixed together, produce heat while the hardening and

bonding process occurs.

Examples of Exothermic reactions are: Combustion

reactions of fuels; most polymerization reactions, the

Thermite reaction; the setting of cement and concrete.

Examples of Endothermic reactions are: Evaporation of

water; photosynthesis, chemical cold pack.

THICKNESS/CALIPER/GAUGE: These terms are often

used inter-changeably to describe the thickness of a gasket

material. Gauge is most commonly used in the classifi cation

of copper wire diameters as defi ned by American Wire

Gauge, i.e. AWG 16 = .0508” diameter wire. Other wire

groups use slightly diff erent standards. Thickness or Caliper

is the most commonly used standard for reporting gasket

thicknesses.

CURING: Curing is a term in polymer chemistry

and process engineering that refers to the toughening or

hardening of a polymer material by cross-linking of polymer

chains. Curing covers a wide range of processes:

- Vulcanization involves the hardening (curing) of

rubber compounds using sulfur and heat from internal

friction in the mixer.

- Ultra-violet light acts as the catalyst for UV sensitive

coatings and inks.

- The curing of anaerobic compounds is achieved

by removing the material for the presence of oxygen. When

this is done, the liquid turns to a solid. This property makes

these materials particularly used as a liquid gasket between

mating fl anges with exclude oxygen when assembled.

Extensively used for bolt and thread sealers.

- Carbon dioxide with moisture curing is also used

in a select number of gasket related coatings and silicone

rubber used for silk screen printing.

DRYING (AS OPPOSED TO CURING): Many coatings

used for the enhancement of gaskets are only suspensions

of solid particles in a liquid. These particles are usually larger

than 1 micrometer in diameter. These solids are dispersed

throughout the liquid through mechanical means, with

the use of suspending agents. These coatings are generally

applied to a material by roll coating or spray and are dried

by heat or at room temperature. During the drying process,

the liquid is evaporated leaving the solid particles on the

surface of the material. There is no chemical cross-linking

occurring in this process.

I will illustrate one example: Tefl on dispersions have

been used for many years as anti-stick coating on gaskets.

They are applied in light (thin) or heavy (thick) form by the

primary process of roll coating. The gaskets move through

an over of relative low heat to drive off the liquids leaving a

Continued on Page 13.

August 2010Page 12

Automatic Roll Slitters

Manufacturer of roll slitters for:

FoamRubber

GraphiteCorkFelt Roll diameter: 12” - 28”Foil Roll width: 62” - 98”

Adhesive tape www.als.ltd.uk T. 011 44 1933 225755

Flame Retardant Materials

630.889.8655www.itwformex.com

SCORE IT! FOLD IT! BEND IT!

High Quality Electrical Insulation available in sheets, rolls, and panels.

UL 94V-0 flammability. Extremely low moisture absorption.

Die Cut Laser Water Jet Heat Form Machine Thermoform Easily Printed, Laminated, Welded. Cost Effective.

DEPEND ON IT!

August 2010Page 13

fi lm of loosely adhering particles on the surface. This coating

is adequate for most release applications; however, if exposed

to water (in this case) the gasket will be removed leaving

some of the coating on the metal surfaces (cohesive failure). If

subjected to other liquids and water, it will probably remove

cleanly (an adhesive failure).

COMPRESSIBILITY and RECOVERY: These are two

fundamental properties of gasket materials. Compressibility

is the % amount that a gasket material will compress at

assembly. Variations in the strength of the metal components

of the rest of the joint and the installation load produced

by tightening the fasteners will determine the actual

compression at any location on the gasket. Less compression

will occur typically midway between fasteners and where the

fl ange structures are weakest.

The manufacturers of gasket materials report.

Compressibility and Recovery data for their

materials. These are the results of standardized testing at

Room Temperature. The Standard test is ASTM F36 A through

L. (Standard Test Method for Compressibility and Recovery

of Gasket Materials). Each variation (A through L) is designed

for the diff erent types of gasket materials (A for compressed

asbestos, K for non-asbestos paper and millboard, B for cork

and rubber, etc.). The full ASTM F36 standard includes all of

the details for each type of test by grouping of product.

The F36 standard yields data which makes it easy

to compare compressibility and recovery values of all tested

materials from numerous suppliers. The standard loadings

in lbs/ft2 reported for each class of materials varies from

400 lbs/ft2 for cork and rubber materials to 5000 lbs/ft2 for

compressed non-asbestos sheet and non-asbestos beater

sheet. It is best to compare the compressibility and recovery

of similar thickness materials (i.e. 1/32”). Below is the basis for

calculating compressibility and recovery.

In fi gure 1, the initial thickness is taken with a

preload which is intended to even out the surface variations

in the material. This drawing is not to scale. The formulas for

calculating the compressibility and recovery values are as

follows:

Commonly Used Gaskets(Continued from Page 11)

Compressibility, % = {(P-M)/P} x 100

Recovery, % = {(R-M)/(P-M)} x 100

Note again: These values are only good for

comparison of room temperature conditions, particularly

installation conditions.

CREEP RELAXATION/STRESS RELAXATION: These

two terms are used interchangeably to represent the relative

ability of a material to retain its’ load bearing properties under

the infl uence of heat and compressive load. The standard

test is fully described in ASTM standard F38 (Standard Test

Methods for Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material). It involves

the application of a standard compressive load of 4000 lb.

force applied to a specimen of 2 in 2 area. The tests are run

in multiples to determine consistency and scatter. Two types

Continued on Page 14.

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 30 out of 61 Fabricator responses.

1. Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to

Previous Quarter

UP DOWN SAME

28 2 0

93% 7% 0%

2. Current Quarter Sales Projection Compared

to Last Quarter

UP DOWN SAME

18 2 10

60% 7% 33%

We had 27 out of 70 Supplier responses.

1. Most Recent Quarter Sales Compared to

Previous Quarter

UP DOWN SAME

22 3 2

81.5% 11% 7.5%

2. Current Quarter Sales Projection Compared

to Last Quarter

UP DOWN SAME

19 5 3

70% 19% 11%

ared

AME

10

33%

s.

es Compared to

SAME

2

7.5%

on Compared

ME

rvey,

bnail

to1. Most Rece

Previous Quar

UP D

28 2

3% 7%

nt Quarter S

Quarter

DOW

2

7%

of 70 Supplie

. Most Recent Q

Previous Quar

UP D

22

Below are the results from

h was undertaken to

UP

19

70% 19%

August 2010Page 14

of fi xtures can be used, Method A and Method B which is most

often used because testing can be performed at elevated

temperatures. Method A uses strain gauged bolt for measuring

the stretch of the bolt. This limits the test temperatures to

Room Temperature. In Method B (Pictured in fi gure 2), this

load is applied via a precision bolt by stretching it by .005” in a

specifi ed period of time. The bolt uses a center pin which remains

unstressed throughout the testing. Once assembled, the fi xtures

are subjected to temperatures which are commonly 212oF up

to 400oF. Extra special alloy bolts can test up to 900oF. Results

from 212oF testing are most commonly reported by suppliers of

material.

DENSITY/CLOSEST PACKING DENSITY: The fi rst term

is easily recognizable and is used to describe the weight of a

material in a prescribed volume, usually reports in pound per

cubic foot or in metric at grams per cubic centimeter. Most gasket

materials fall in the range of 40 lbs/ft3 to 100 lbs/ft3. Water has a

nominal density of 62.4 lbs/ft3. Generally speaking, materials with

lower density have higher compressibility, poorer sealability and

greater creep relaxation. This is because there is porosity within

the material which compress more easily, reducing volume as it

compresses.

Another concept which may not be as well known or

reported is the concept of Closest Packing Density or Maximum

Density. This occurs when the compressive load is increased

and the material reaches a point at which it cannot continue to

compress without changing shape. It becomes a 100% solid mass.

Most gasket materials exhibit this property when the density

approaches 135-150 lbs/ft3. This number can be calculated if the

densities and weights of all of the constituents which make up

the material are known but, in general, 135-150 lbs/ft3 is a good

approximation.

The eff ects of reaching the Closest Packing Density are

clearly seen if a metal eyelet or grommet is put into a hole in a

gasket and fl attened to the thickness of the gasket material. If

the thickness of the grommet is too thick, the gasket will distort

or warp. This concept is directly applicable to designing with

solid molded rubber. Since the rubber material is molded into

a 100% compressible solid, it cannot change its volume, only

its’ shape. Most molded rubber gaskets include relief volumes

to accommodate these changes in shape. Using the example of

a solid rubber O-ring in a groove, the ring is compressed from

its’ initial diameter to the depth of the groove. Since it cannot

change its volume it must change shape.

Benchmarking Report

If the volume

of the groove were

smaller than the

volume of the rubber,

the gasket joint

would never close

and rubber would

extrude and rupture

causing a leak. With

O-ring groove designs an excess of 25% of groove volume is

recommended to allow for volume swell (due to fl uid swell),

thermal expansion and increasing width of the O-ring due to

compression.

What you need, when you need it

800-549-9860www.arlonecp.com

need it

August 2010Page 15

ServiceGROUPP

Kharfst@die-masters.comwww.die-masters.com

Kevin HarfstPhone: 314-822-0406

A full service die shopproviding nation-wide service to the fabricating

industry of custom built steel rule andclicker dies

A full service die shopproviding nation-wide service to the fabricating

industry of custom built steel rule andclicker dies

Cutting Solutions for YourCutting Needs With or Without Dies.

ASSOCIATED PACIFIC MACHINE CORP. 724 Via Alondra, Camarillo, CA 93012-8713 USA(805) 445-4740 • (800) 679-APMC • www.apmcorp.com • sales@apmcorp.com

Gasket Cutting

Parter with Preco

800.966.4686precoinc.com

Rotary Die Cutting

Die Cutting Presses

August 2010Page 16

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Valu-Edge is Wagner’s commitment to providingthe best quality, value, service and training.Give your company the edge - Valu-Edge!Exclusively from Wagner Die Supply!

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(800) 423-4478www.wagnerdiesupply.com

ASK ABOUT OUR CUSTOM WATER-JETCUTTING SERVICES!

O-Rings, Seals, Gaskets, Adhesives, Rubber Parts, EMI

www.sealingdevices.com * 716-684-7600

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David LodgeNational Sales Managerdavid.lodge@virtek.ca847-271-4825

Manufacturer of sustainable cork, recycled rubber and cork/rubber

products for the following markets:

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