Vegetable and Plant Fiber Gasket Materials
Vegetable Fiber
One of the oldest gasketing materials available, Vegetable Fiber, most commonly known as Vellumoid™, is a general purpose gasket material composed of a treated vegetable/cellulose fiber impregnated with protein glue and glycerin binder.
This vegetable fiber gasket paper is strong but compressible and suited for use under light flange loads. It is chemically treated with varying compounds to resist coal tar, oils, water, alcohol, grease, air, gasoline and solvents. It has excellent resistance to oils and fuels for service temperatures to 250°F.
Where Are Fiber-Based Gaskets Used?
Applications where fiber-based gaskets are commonly used include flange connections on trucks, tractors, automobiles, RVs and industrial motors. They are used in oil applications, alcohol distilleries, shipyards, equipment makers and industrial plants for pump, pipe, tank gear and flange joints. Industries where fiber-based gaskets are used include petroleum, petrochemical, industrial and automotive.
There are many different varieties of vegetable paper each suited for specific applications. Contact us today to find the right gasket for your application.
Vegetable Fiber – “Detroiter”:
Fibreflex™ “Detroiter” is an excellent grade of vegetable fibre sheet packing, efficiently saturated with a glue-glycerin impregnant rendered insoluble by means of a tanning agent (formaldehyde) to give a strong, flexible, all-proof packing with properties retained during proper storage and in use. Vegetable fiber can withstand operating temperatures of 250F.
Vulcanized Fiber (Fishpaper):
Vulcanized fiber consists of cellulose and generally no binders or other additives. It is produced in different grades based on strength and other characteristics. This material is very hard, has high mechanical strength, good impact and abrasion resistance, has excellent electrical properties and is lightweight. It is used in many automotive, electrical, and mechanical applications, as well as in lighting fixtures, transformers, and many small appliances.
Fishpaper is the generic name of electrical grade vulcanized fiber. This material is commonly used for electrical insulation as it provides excellent arc resistance.
Aramid Fiber:
DuPont Nomex™ is an aramid fiber/insulation paper that offers excellent insulation properties. In addition, this material offers high inherent dielectric strength, mechanical toughness, thermal stability, flexibility and resilience. It offers electrical insulation and EMI protection as well as other benefits such as high radiation resistance, excellent UL rating, and high chemical stability.
Ceramic Fiber:
Ceramic fiber material is generally used for heat seals where high operating temperatures exist. This material can be engineered for different applications. Ceramic fiber gaskets are soft, lightweight and resilient, and have superior thermal characteristics. They are the perfect choice where an inexpensive heat seal with low sealing pressure is required. Since they are soft and can be easily laminated to form thicker seals. Generally, it is soft, lightweight and can exist in temperatures over 2000°F.
Copaco:
Copaco is a fiber / paper product that is made from high-grade cotton. It is extensively refined and has limited or no fillers and other binders. This ensures excellent aging characteristics. The material has a very high tensile and tear strength and has excellent dielectric properties.
Other Cellulose Fiber:
There are a number of other commercial grade cellulose fiber / paper materials that are commonly used in general purpose gasketing. Vellumoid™ makes a line of these products that are popular choices, including Vellumoid™ 505. These products have general resistance to oils, water and certain other chemicals / solvents and have operating temperature limits of up to 250°F – 350°F.
