The Discipline of Best Practices for Gaskets and Seals: Design & Use

Locomotive, Marine and Power Generation diesel engines in use today can go back to designs from the 1940’s. Many of the gasket and seal designs applied to these engines came about because of the materials in use at that time and have in many cases significantly changed or can no longer be legally used, such as asbestos. Metal alloys now are stronger, casting processes have changed, fasteners are stronger, and computer aided design systems now assist in the designing of parts with processes not even thought of back then. In a few areas, materials commonly used today have only been recently invented, discovered, or made, resulting in significant changes in gasket and seal material and design. All these changes must be incorporated to extend the life cycles of all engines whether designed 80 years ago or yesterday. The ultimate design goal should be to extend engine service from overhaul to overhaul, without parts failures and with leak free service. For this paper, these materials and designs for gaskets and seals will be discussed specifically for these large medium speed diesel engines.

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