Metals & Alloys

Our metals and alloys range covers everything from cost-effective mild steel and aluminium through to corrosion-resistant stainless steels, high-temperature nickel superalloys, and speciality titanium and copper grades. We stock common sheet and plate forms and can source speciality alloys for critical applications.

Polished stainless steel and aluminium gasket blanks.

Overview

Metals and alloys are selected for gasket and sealing service when elastomeric or fibre materials cannot withstand the temperature, pressure, or chemical environment. 316L austenitic stainless covers the majority of metallic gasket selections for general industrial service; duplex grades, Inconel, and Hastelloy step in once chlorides, sour gas, or sustained high temperatures enter the duty. The choice of alloy depends on the combination of corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and cost required by each application. We supply sheet, plate, and foil in standard and custom thicknesses across the full range of ferrous, non-ferrous, and high-performance alloy families.

Aluminium Alloys

Lightweight, corrosion-resistant alloys used for low-pressure gaskets, heat shields, shims, and cryogenic sealing applications.

Commercially Pure (1000 Series)

Commercially pure aluminium (≥99% Al). Highest corrosion resistance and electrical/thermal conductivity of all aluminium grades. Soft and easily formed, making it ideal for low-pressure gaskets, heat shields, and sacrificial shims.

Manganese-Alloyed (3000 Series)

Al-Mn alloys (3003 grade). Moderate strength with good formability and corrosion resistance. Used for drawn components, heat exchangers, and general-purpose sheet metalwork where slightly higher strength than 1000-series is needed.

Magnesium-Alloyed (5000 Series)

Al-Mg alloys (5052/5083 grades). Significantly higher strength with excellent marine corrosion resistance. Specified for structural gasket components, marine hardware, and pressure vessel heads.

Carbon Steel

Cost-effective ferrous materials for shims, spacers, and structural gaskets in non-corrosive or coated applications.

Low Carbon (Mild Steel)

When cost beats corrosion concern, mild steel handles the job. Readily welded and formed at low cost. Used for shims, spacers, backing rings, and structural gaskets in non-corrosive indoor environments — keep it out of wet, salt-laden, or chemically aggressive service.

Zinc Coated (Galvanised)

Carbon steel with zinc protective coating. Provides sacrificial corrosion protection for outdoor and mildly corrosive environments. Available in hot-dip and electro-galvanised finishes.

Zinc-Aluminium Coated (Zincalume)

Carbon steel coated with 55% aluminium–zinc alloy. Superior atmospheric corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanising. Widely used for roofing, cladding, and outdoor structural components.

Stainless Steel

Chromium-bearing steels from general-purpose austenitic grades through high-strength duplex and hardenable martensitic types.

Austenitic Stainless Steel

The volume material in metallic gasketing. Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steels — grades 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, and 904L. 304 covers general corrosion resistance; 316 adds molybdenum once chlorides or acids enter service. Non-magnetic and readily formed.

Duplex Stainless Steel

Mixed austenite-ferrite microstructure with approximately twice the yield strength of 316L. Grades: 2205 (UNS S31803/S32205). Superior resistance to chloride stress-corrosion cracking and pitting in hot seawater and brine environments.

Super Duplex Stainless Steel

High-chromium, high-molybdenum duplex stainless with PREN >40. Grades: 2507 (UNS S32750), Zeron 100. Specified for the most aggressive chloride, sour gas, and subsea applications.

Ferritic Stainless Steel

Body-centred cubic, magnetic, chromium-only stainless steels. Grades: 409, 430. Lower cost than austenitic grades with good resistance to stress-corrosion cracking. Used for automotive exhaust gaskets and heat shields.

Martensitic Stainless Steel

Hardenable stainless steel (12–14% Cr). Grades: 410, 420. Can be heat-treated to high hardness for wear resistance. Used for valve components, shims, and spring washers where hardness and moderate corrosion resistance are both required.

Nickel Alloys

High-performance alloys for the most demanding chemical, temperature, and pressure conditions in process, energy, and marine industries.

Commercially Pure Nickel

≥99% Ni (Nickel 200/201). Outstanding resistance to caustic alkalis and dry halogen gases. High electrical and thermal conductivity. Specified for caustic soda evaporators and chemical processing equipment.

Nickel-Copper (Monel)

67% Ni + 30% Cu alloys. Primary alloy for hydrofluoric acid service. Grades: Monel 400, Monel K-500. Excellent resistance to seawater, brackish water, and reducing acids.

Nickel-Chromium (Inconel)

Where stainless creeps and duplex still corrodes, Inconel windings hold. Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb superalloys for service to 980 °C in oxidising environments. Grades: Inconel 600, 625, 718. Widely used in gas turbine, aerospace, and nuclear applications.

Nickel-Iron-Chromium (Incoloy)

Ni-Fe-Cr alloys with Mo and Cu additions. Grades: Incoloy 800/800H/800HT, 825. Designed for high-temperature strength and resistance to carburisation, oxidation, and sulphuric/phosphoric acid environments.

Nickel-Molybdenum-Chromium (Hastelloy C)

When the spec sheet lists wet chlorine, hot HCl, or oxidising plus reducing acids in the same service, this is what survives. Hastelloy C-276, C-22, C-2000. Exceptional resistance to chloride-induced pitting and stress-corrosion cracking. Cost reflects the chemistry — specify only when the duty demands it.

Nickel-Molybdenum (Hastelloy B)

High-molybdenum nickel alloys for hydrochloric acid service. Grades: Hastelloy B-2, B-3. Resist all concentrations of HCl at temperatures well above the boiling point.

High-Alloy Austenitic (Alloy 20)

Ni-Fe-Cr-Mo-Cu alloy designed specifically for sulphuric acid service. Excellent resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking in hot sulphuric acid environments.

Titanium Alloys

Lightweight, high-strength alloys with outstanding corrosion resistance for chemical, marine, and aerospace sealing applications.

Commercially Pure (Grade 2)

Outstanding resistance to oxidising acids, chlorides, seawater, and wet chlorine gas. Approximately 40% lighter than steel with excellent formability. The standard grade for chemical process equipment and desalination plant gaskets.

Alpha-Beta Alloy (Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V)

Highest-strength titanium alloy — approximately 3× the yield strength of Grade 2. Used where both high strength and corrosion resistance are required, including aerospace, medical, and high-performance racing applications.

Copper Alloys

Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity with natural antimicrobial and biofouling-resistant properties for sealing, electrical, and marine applications.

Commercially Pure Copper

≥99.9% Cu. Highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any engineering metal. Soft and conformable, making it well suited to crush-seal gaskets, heat exchanger joints, and electrical earthing components in moderate-temperature service (typically up to 250 °C continuous). Anneals quickly above that — for higher temperatures step up to a copper alloy or stainless.

Brass (Cu-Zn)

Copper-zinc alloys with good formability and machinability. Moderate corrosion resistance — fine for plumbing, marine, and electrical applications, but dezincification is a known failure mode in long-term water service. Used for shims, washers, and gaskets.

Phosphor Bronze (Cu-Sn-P)

Higher fatigue strength, spring properties, and corrosion resistance than brass. Used for spring washers, diaphragms, bellows, and precision shims where resilience is critical.

Aluminium Bronze (Cu-Al)

Exceptional resistance to seawater, biofouling, erosion-corrosion, and cavitation. High strength and wear resistance. Specified for marine hardware, valve components, and pump wear rings.

Cupro-Nickel (Cu-Ni)

When seawater is the medium and biofouling cannot be tolerated, this is the alloy family. Grades: 90/10, 70/30. The standard for seawater piping systems, heat exchangers, and desalination plant components.

Beryllium Copper (Cu-Be)

Non-sparking and non-magnetic with the highest strength of any copper alloy. Used for gaskets, tools, and components in explosive atmospheres and sensitive electronic environments.

Lead

Dense, soft metal for specialist chemical resistance, radiation shielding, and vibration dampening applications.

Commercially Pure Lead

Excellent resistance to dilute sulphuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and chromic acid. Dense (11.3 g/cm³) and extremely soft, making it ideal for radiation shielding, chemical tank lining, sound deadening, and vibration dampening.

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Disclaimer

This resource is provided for general engineering reference only and does not constitute professional advice, specification, or guarantee of performance. Actual results depend on specific application conditions. Universal Gaskets Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for decisions made based on this information. For full terms, see our Terms & Conditions.