A rubber pipe gasket is used for sealing underground collection systems and structures including the most common ones:
- Round Pipe
- Arch and Elliptical Pipes
- Box Culverts
- Jacking and Micro tunneling
- When considering which pipe gasket is right for your type of structure or application, you’ll find many varieties to choose from.
So let’s start off with the simplest of the pipe gasket – O-ring.
O-Ring Pipe Gasket
The O-ring dates back to the late 1800’s when a Swedish patent was filed and 40-years later the first U.S. patent was filed.
The O-ring is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus (circle). It creates a loop of elastomer with a round cross-section designed to be seated in a confined groove and compressed during assembly.
In underground infrastructure, O-ring is used for both low and high head applications. They can be found in a wide range of cord diameter sizes.
Ranging from 19/32 to 1-3/8”, Press-Seal manufactures these from polyisoprene and neoprene rubber compounds for certain chemical resistance.
Profile Type Gasket
The “profile” pipe gasket performs in many of the same ways as an O-ring. However, it has the added benefit of a profile that requires less homing force. This helps with preventing rolling of the gasket, pinching or even breaking bells. The most popular profile gasket is used in a single off-set joint configuration.
As with the O-ring gasket, profile gaskets can be used for a variety of pipe types and sizes. It can also be used in structures such as manholes and box culverts.
A critical difference between O-ring and profile pipe gaskets is the installation method. Both fit into specific type of joint configurations and require lubricant to aid in homing the pieces together. However, you typically only lubricate the bell with the profile gasket, whereas the O-ring pipe gasket gets lubrication around the entire surface along with the confined groove to allow it to roll during installation.
Pre-Lubricated
This type of pipe gasket is a newer breed in the precast industry and provides a unique method of installation out in the field. Our RFS (Reduced Friction Seal) is one of the top brands in the precast industry.
As with the above two pipe gasket types, it can be used for pipes or structures, but the added benefit is not using lubrication.
The lubrication is already injected inside an encapsulated piece of rubber when it’s manufactured here at Press-Seal. The unique design also helps in reducing insertion forces and virtually eliminates possibility of rolling or pinching of the gasket.
This internal lube also helps contractors save time because there is no lubrication and also helps with the prevention of dirt/debris getting on the gasket causing sealing issues.