From www.gasketwiki.com
Compressed Synthetic Fiber Gaskets were originally created to provide an alternative to the potentially harmful traditional
Compressed Asbestos Fiber Gaskets. However, Asbestos gaskets are still regarded as one of the best gasket materials due to its high temperature capabililties, chemical resistance and its mechanical strength which allows the gasket hold a lower percentage of rubber binder. CSF gaskets are comprised of various rubber binders, fillers and fibers, much like their Asbestos predecessors, but typically have a much higher content of rubber binder to give the fibers mechanical strength. Having a higher percentage of rubber binder means that CSF gaskets do not tolerate temperature and pressure conditions above of its design parameters and are more particular to their chemical resistance capabilities; unlike the traditional asbestos gaskets which are much more forgiving to elevated conditions. CAF gaskets also had the unique ability to tolerate re-torquing of the flanges while in operation where as CSF gaskets will fail due to such actions due to the rubber binder fracturing as it will have been hardened in elevated temperatures.
To cope with the vast number of different sealing applications, many CSF gasket materials are available - low cost economy to demanding critical application material.
Selecting a CSF Material
Were selecting a gasket in the past was an easy choice of a Compressed Asbestos Fiber Gasket, it is much more of a calculated and scientific approached for CSF gaskets. Since CSF materials are comprised of many different rubbers, syntheic fibers and fillers, they exhibit very specific operating temperature, pressure and chemical resistance conditions. Selection of a an incompatiable material in any one of the three conditions will cause gasket failure, so extra percaution much be used to choose the appropriate material especially if the CSF gasket material choosen is rather expensive.
CSF Gasket Manufacturers all publish data on each of their materials to aid in the selection process. Klinger
