Custom Beaded Gasketing: Your Solution to Gasket Sealability Problems

Assorted Beaded Gaskets

Gasket beading is an outstanding choice for improving sealability and can eliminate the need to redesign flanges or upgrade materials when resolving performance issues. Beaded gasket technology employs the application of a high-performance, resilient elastomer to the surface of a gasket. The bead improves the sealability of the gasket by concentrating available load on the areas of the gasket where the bead has been applied.

The applied bead effect is two-fold:

  • The bead helps to seal flange irregularities. The elastomer conforms to gouges, scratches, and “as cast” surfaces to help provide an effective seal.
  • The addition of the applied elastomer increases surface pressure and flange load exactly where your application needs it most. CGR Products can analyze the pressure distribution of your application with our flange analysis service.

The design and placement of the bead can greatly improve the sealing characteristics of the most problematic flanges without alteration to expensive machined or cast flanges.

Custom Capabilities Overview

Our gaskets can be designed to various thicknesses based on the sealing pressure required. The gasket material can be made from construction sheet, metal, or dual elastomer materials. We use various gasket fabrication processes including die cutting, kiss cutting, laminating, milling, molding, saw cutting, slitting, and turning to create beaded gaskets with a width of up to .125″ and a height of 0.001″ –  0.010″ using extremely tight tolerances.

Our gaskets are manufactured with precision so that our customers only receive quality workmanship for their assembly. This includes intensive inspection processes in place to ensure gaskets perform to optimal standards.

We use a number of inspection devices to ensure quality control: flange analysis, caliper measurement, coordinate measurement, final inspection, first article inspection, in-process inspection, micrometers, pin gauges, and Virtek LQC scanners. We can also perform a number of tests to understand pressure distribution and leak paths.

We can offer beaded gaskets in various production quantities from low to high volume runs with a standard 1 week lead time for typical materials. Non-standard materials may take more time as production is ultimately dependent on the material being used. Regardless, our beaded gaskets are backed by additional services that help provide value to our customers. This may involve bar code labeling, product certification, packaging, stocking programs, engraving or printing on parts, reverse engineering services, slitting, stripping, and waterjet cutting. We also offer a wide range of materials for custom die cut gaskets and seals which include 3M products, acrylics, EVA, polyurethanes, PTFE, rubber, Mylar, and much more.

With numerous industry standard qualifications, we ensure our beaded gaskets are the best in the industry. Serving multiple industries from appliances to small tractor manufacturing, we pride ourselves on innovation, customer service, and innovative performance in our product designs.

To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today

This is a tactile pressure film image of a typical flange gasket. The application is a refrigeration valve with flange surfaces of machined steel and brass. The gasket is secured with four 1/2" bolts torqued to 40 ft./lbs. The density of red indicates the varying amount of pressure on the gasket.
Tactile Pressure Film Image of a Typical Flange Gasket
The pressure analysis illustrates a problem common to many flanges: when torqued, the flange loads heavily near the bolt holes. The lack of effective sealing load between bolt holes is very apparent.
Gasket Pressure Analysis
The three dimensional image illustrates the severe load reduction along the gasket span between bolt holes. The gasket material is loaded with over 7400 psi around the bolt holes, while the mid-point of the span is as low as 2500 psi.
Three Dimensional Pressure Map
This pressure film image shows a beaded gasket that was designed to correct the sealing problems inherent in this application. The addition of a .004" thick bead around the I.D. increases the load on the gasket material, increasing compression and providing an effective seal. The gasket is again secured with four 1/2" bolts.
Pressure Film Gasket
This pressure analysis displays the load distribution on the beaded gasket. A load of over 7400 psi has been achieved at the bead location, surrounding the I.D. completely.
Re-Designed Beaded Gasket
The three dimensional image illustrates the continuous load placed around the I.D. of the gasket. The gasket is now compressed evenly and distributes enough load to seal any potential leak paths.
Continuous Load Three Dimensional Pressure Map

Gasket Fabrication Process

Die Cutting
Kiss Cutting
Laminating
Milling
Rubber Molding
Saw Cutting
Skiving
Slitting
Turning
waterjet Cutting

Bead Material

Silicone

Gasket Material

Construction Sheet
Metal
Dual Elastomer

Bead Thickness

Sealing Pressure Dependent

Width

0.125″

Height

0.015″

Tolerances

Have the Ability to Hold the Tightest Tolerances

Inspection

Flange Analysis
Calipers
Coordinate Measuring Machine
Final Inspection
First Article Inspection
In-Process Inspection
Micrometers
Pin Gauges
Virtek LQC Scanner

Quality

Certificate of Conformance Reports
SPC Inspection Documents

Additional Services

Assembly
Bar Code Labeling
Die Cutting
Material and Product Certifications
Packaging
Part / Engineering Design Assistance
Part Stocking Programs
Printing on Parts
Reverse Engineering
Slitting
Stripping
Vendor Managed Inventory
Vulcanizing
waterjet Cutting

Production Volume

Low Volume
Small Runs
Medium Volume
Long Runs
High Volume Production Runs

Typical Lead Time

Standard: 1 Week or Less
Non-Standard: Material Dependent

Industry Focus

Acoustical Insulation
Appliances
Automotive
Bus
Compressors
Electrical Components and Enclosures
Electronics
Escalators and Elevators
Filters
Generators
Heavy Equipment
HVAC
Industrial Sealing (Valves and Fluid Sealing)
Lighting
Marine
Medical Equipment
Military
Mining
Pharmaceutical
Plastic Injection and Blow Molders
Power Equipment
Power Tools
Rail
RV
Small Engine
Small Tractor
Tires
Truck Body and Cab

Industry Standards

GFA
ISO 9001:2008
ASTM
RMA
Mil-Spec

File Formats

PDF
AutoCAD (DWG,DWZ)
STEP
IGES
DXF
JPG or JEPG
GIF