Gasket and Seals remain one of the key components for insulation, sound reduction, anti-vibration, and packaging

 

Gasket and Seals in Automotive Applications There are several applications of gaskets and seals in the automotive industry. Some of these are presented in the report scope below. The applications are separated into three broad categories, which are presented to help users understand the application of these materials. The demand for custom rubber seals has increased tremendously in the last few years. This is due to the fact that the automotive industry as a whole is facing a growing demand for sealing solutions. In the past few years, OEMs or original equipment manufacturers have increasingly turned to seal solutions in order to meet the challenges of automotive seal leakage. OEMs have found that it is not possible to create adequate sealing solutions by means of off-the-shelf or off-the-rack components that can meet the demands of their customers.

The gasket material is generally made of rubber, silicon rubber, or other synthetic rubber. These materials are then combined with some form of additives that enhance their functionality. Several applications of the gasket material exist in industries where their sealing function is very important such as in marine applications and the aerospace and defense industry. They are also used in the commercial and industrial sectors to serve a variety of sealing and lubrication purposes. The cost of manufacturing custom gasket materials is considerably lower than that of standard rubber seals.

Furthermore, they can be produced easily depending on the application. For instance, while manufacturing a lubricant for an oil-based engine, a silicone-based product works quite effectively. On the other hand, there are very stiff rubber seals that need to be used in the aerospace industry, which is developed using polyurethane material. The cost of production is very high; however, this material serves a number of applications such as sealing and lubricating ducts, air conditioning systems, pumps, and hydraulic systems. Recently, in January 2020, Superior Industries Inc. launched application-specific idlers seals at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020.