Mining & Minerals Gaskets & Seals

Beating Abrasion in Slurry Service

Abrasive particles can wear exposed gasket edges and damage sealing faces in slurry pipelines, pump casings, thickener underflows, and transfer equipment.

Natural rubber is often screened for wet abrasive slurry, while selected NBR compounds may be considered where petroleum contamination is present. Performance depends on particle shape, solids basis, velocity, chemistry, temperature, and the exact compound.

Matching Materials to Chemical Circuits

Acid storage and dosing, leach liquor, cyanide solution, caustic refining, and flotation reagents have different hazards and compatibility limits. The line list and site material-control system should keep each service tied to its verified specification.

Acid contamination of cyanide solution can release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide. Circuit isolation, labelling, storage, work controls, and emergency arrangements must follow the site's cyanide-management system and SDS; gasket colour is only an identification aid.

Autoclave Service (HPAL)

High-Pressure Acid Leaching joints require the equipment design pressure and temperature, acid and solids chemistry, normal and upset conditions, flange material and facing, cycling, bolt load, corrosion review, and OEM or site gasket specification. Do not infer approval from a filler, winding alloy, or gasket type alone.

Surviving Temperature Extremes and UV

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 50.7 °C at Onslow on 13 January 2022. That record is not one end of a representative daily range. Use the site's design minimum and maximum, solar loading, equipment temperature, and cycling profile for gasket selection.

High UV, ozone, dust, and weather exposure can shorten elastomer life. Check the exact compound's weathering data, shielding, strain, temperature, and inspection interval rather than relying on the polymer-family name.

Managing Vibration and Bolt Relaxation

Comminution equipment can impose cyclic movement and impact loads on connected joints. The actual frequency, amplitude, alignment, pipe support, flange stiffness, fasteners, and assembly condition determine how the bolted joint responds.

Loss of gasket stress can open a leak path, but changing gasket type does not correct poor alignment, insufficient bolt load, weak flanges, or unsupported pipework. Review the complete joint before selecting among:

• Spiral wound gaskets — spring-like recovery
• Kammprofile gaskets — conformable facings
• Expanded PTFE — high compression recovery