Loxeal liquid gaskets seal flat mating surfaces and join flanges in pumps,gearboxes,compressors and differential housings of any shape and dimension in an easy and very effective way.
Loxeal anaerobic liquid gaskets are FIP gaskets formulated to be used on flat machined surfaces. They are easy to apply, cure quickly, save cost and provide manufacturing flexibility on assembly lines.
Loxeal gasket dressing compounds are effective sealing solutions when designers must use conventional cut gaskets due to design constraints or application needs. Loxeal dressing compounds are curing or non-curing gels and provide instant seal when used in combination with conventional gaskets. They are easily serviceable too.
Liquid gaskets are FIP (Form In Place) paste consistency sealants that have the ability to fill the surface roughness between the flanges perfectly and form 100% true surface to surface contact thereby creating a highly reliable seal. The key to the success of Loxeal liquid gaskets in automotive and many other manufacturing applications over conventional gaskets lies in the fact that they form 100% surface to surface contact without having to produce highly finished flanges.
Loxeal liquid gaskets:
Because every application is unique and demands specific performance expectations, at Elixir we provide different liquid gasket technologies to meet most application challenges.
The universal appeal of Loxeal liquid gaskets is due to some unique benefits they provide over traditional compression and cut gaskets such as cork, paper, metal and elastomeric gaskets like rubber and O-rings.
Seals all surface imperfections by forming true “metal to metal” contact
Reduces compression set
Reduces fastener loosening
Forms joint integrity and aids in force transmission between flanged joints
Machining tolerances are relaxed and cost saved.
Eliminates bolt retorquing in field operations
Easy application
Application possible in both horizontal and vertical fashion.
Allows semi or fully automatic application methods
Easy disassembly and service.
Reduces inventory cost by eliminating need to store different types of compression type gaskets.
Form in Place (FIP) Anaerobic liquid Gaskets: Anaerobic liquid gaskets are primarily formulated to be used on machined metal flanges where the surface flatness and finish is controlled and the joint movement is very little. Anaerobic liquid gaskets cure (turn from liquid to solid) in the absence of air and presence of metals (ions). It has wide curing range depending on application and can also form instant seal for applications requiring online low-pressure testing. It can fill flange gaps up to 0.3mm
RTV Silicone Gaskets: Silicone liquid gaskets are elastomeric form in place gaskets that are primarily used on sheet metal flanges where surface gaps and flatness are much higher than a machined component and joint movement is high. It can fill gaps up-to 6mm.Silicone gaskets cure (turn from liquid to solid) by reacting with surface and environment moisture.
Gasket dressing compound: Gasket dressing compounds are formulated to be used in combination with traditional cut or compression gaskets. Due to design constraints or application demand compression gaskets are sometimes necessary but due to their inherent nature they often don’t provide a reliable seal, particularly in dynamic operational conditions. Loxeal gasket dressing compounds are a boon for such applications because they can be both curing and non-curing type thus retaining the benefits of traditional gasketing methods and still fill the surface void fully to form a long-lasting leak proof seal while combining with cut gaskets.
Cured in Place Gasket (CIPG): In those flange sealing applications where production demand is very high particularly in industries like appliances, automobile and medical devices and frequent dismantling of flange may be necessary, our UV cured CIPG (Cure In Place Gasket) provide a quick and reliable method of sealing. Loxeal UV Cured in Place Gaskets can be manual or auto applied on the flanges and cured in a UV chamber within seconds to form a gasket that while adheres to one surface, seals the second surface by compression. Such flanges can be dismantled multiple times without having to re-apply the gasket frequently.
Loxeal anaerobic form in place liquid gaskets cure when in contact metal and in absence of air. Rate of curing depends on environment temperature and product type. They are 100% solids and fill surface imperfections to form a 100% metal to metal contact eliminating any potential leak paths.
Anaerobic liquid gaskets offer many benefits over traditional compression or cut gaskets:
No Compression set: Because conventional gaskets are designed to seal under compression, they tend to lose their elastic property over a period of time and become less resilient thus reducing its thickness and creating gaps that become the potential leak path.
No gasket relaxation: Because Loxeal liquid gaskets create 100% surface to surface contact through adhesion, bolt tension is maintained throughout the life of the assembly. No retorquing is needed.
Eliminates Shimming: Because Anaerobic liquid gaskets form true metal to metal contact, designers need not make allowance for gasket thickness and tolerances can be more accurately maintained.
Low machining cost: Compression gaskets form seal when they are compressed. This require that the mating surfaces must be highly finished thereby providing maximum contact between the gasket and flange surface. That’s why designers take extreme care to provide high finish surfaces (<0.5µm).Such a highly engineered surface require multiple machining operation, tool cost, labour cost and processing time making the entire activity very expensive. Unfortunately, in many designs these aspects are overlooked and the resultant traditional solution is not only very expensive and slow but also ineffective.
In contrast liquid gaskets seal by forming bond between the surfaces. Because a very smooth surface has lower surface and low grabbing power with adhesive, Loxeal liquid gaskets do not need high finish flanges. When sealing machined flanges, surface roughness between Ra 0.8µm to 3.2µm is sufficient to form a perfect seal.
Assembly Integrity: Because the two flanges are bolted there is always a micro movement between them due to the loss of bolt tension under vibration and thermal changes (unless bolts are locked using Loxeal liquid Threadlocker).This effect can significantly impact the integrity of an equipment or system and can generate noise, vibration and loosening effect. In contrast because Loxeal FIP liquid gaskets seal by adhesion, they form a friction less joint and maintain the integrity of the assembly better.
Extra squeeze does not cure: Unlike other types of liquid gaskets (such as solvent based), Loxeal anaerobic liquid gaskets do not cure when squeezed out after assembly. Because curing is anaerobic in nature, only the adhesive film between the flange surfaces cure and excess is wiped away and even used on other joints (if not contaminated by exterior foreign particles).
Non curing prior to assembly: Due to its anaerobic curing nature, Loxeal liquid gaskets cure only when they are in presence of metal and absence of air. It allows on-part life after the application of Loxeal anaerobic liquid gaskets (and before assembly) being in contact with air.This eliminates typical problems associated with solvent and moisture cure gaskets.
Chemically compatible: After Loxeal form in place anaerobic liquid gaskets cure to thermoset plastic solid they develop excellent resistance to most types of fluids, solvents, gases, LPG, Glycol, fuels, motor and lubricating oils and many more types of chemicals.
Manufacturing flexibility: A typical manufacturing set up has multiple flange and part design. Using cut gaskets require multiple designs and types of solid gaskets to be maintained. In contrast a Loxeal liquid gasket can seal any flange design and configuration offering great flexibility in production environment.
Reduced Inventory cost: Traditional cut or solid gaskets require high inventory to be maintained. They also require large storage space. Whereas a single bottle of Loxeal liquid gasket is sufficient to produce many parts. Not only Loxeal gaskets need a fraction of storage space they also reduce the inventory cost significantly.
Automation: For highspeed assembly lines, application of liquid gaskets can easily be automated using auto dispensing systems and robotics. Elixir can assist customers is setting up the desired automated dosing equipments.
Depending on the flange design, substrates and other parameters following are some of the important thumb rules to consider.
Surface Finish: Because Anaerobic liquid gaskets seal by forming bond/adhesion, surface finish plays a very important role in successful flange sealing. It is important to maintain surface finish between Ra 0.8µm (Rz to 3 µm) to 3.2µm (Rz 21 µm) to form a good anchoring gasket joint.
Surface Flatness: Should be maximum 0.1mm over 400mm
Bolt Span: Bolts should be placed not more than 10 bolt diameters apart. For example, for a nominal bolt diameter of 10mm, spacing between bolts should not be more than 100mm.Similarily bolt span to flange width should fall under following rules.
| Flange Width | Maximum Bolt Span |
| 3.2mm | 32mm |
| 6.4mm | 64mm |
| 9.5mm | 76mm |
| 12.7mm | 102mm |
Chamfering: Dowels, bolt holes and edges should be chamfered to ensure that the sealing surface is free from raised metals that can cause shimming effect.
Application: Product should be applied in continuous bead form every time inside and also around the bolt holes to eliminate and chances of secondary leak path.
Bolt Torquing: For successful gasketing when working with anaerobic liquid gaskets, all bolts must be torqued as per specification as soon (<3minutes) after the assembly.
Fixture Time: Maximum possible fixture time must be allowed before pressure testing. If online testing or short term pressure test must be carried out, flange width, curing speed of Loxeal anaerobic liquid gasket, viscosity and flange gaps will play important role in time determination.
Dowels: Dowels must be provided for large sealing surfaces for proper alignment and avoiding shearing of liquid gasket.
RTV Silicone gaskets cure by reacting with surface and atmospheric moisture and convert from liquid/paste to an elastomeric gasket that seals by adhesion and forming 100% metal to metal contact.
The application of RTV Silicone gaskets is done by applying in the form of bead. After the flange joint assembly extra material squeezes out both inside and outside the joint and forms a secondary seal.
Key benefits of Loxeal RTV Silicone gaskets are:
Large Gaps: Loxeal RTV Silicone gaskets can fill large gap joints upto 6mm
Flexible joint: Loxeal RTV Silicone gaskets form joints that can elongate upto 350% and offer high stability under thermal cycling.
Low machining cost: Compression gaskets form seal when they are compressed. This require that the mating surfaces must be highly finished thereby providing maximum contact between the gasket and flange surface.Hence, designers take extreme care to provide highly smooth and finished surfaces. (<0.5µm).Such a highly engineered surface require multiple machining operation, tool cost, labour cost and processing time making the entire activity very expensive. Unfortunately, in many designs these aspects are overlooked and the resultant traditional solution is not only very expensive and slow but also ineffective.
In contrast Loxeal RTV liquid gaskets seal by forming bond between the surfaces. Because a very smooth surface has lower surface and grabbing power with adhesive, Loxeal liquid gaskets do not need high finished flanges. Recommended surface finish is between Ra 0.5 µm to 8 µm
Operating temperature: Loxeal liquid gaskets offer superior high temperature performance upto 300°C and 350°C of short peak.
Adhesion: Loxeal RTV Silicone gaskets adhere to a wide range of substrates including metals and non-metals.
Reduced Inventory cost: Traditional cut or solid gaskets require high inventory to be maintained. They also require large storage space. Whereas a single bottle of Loxeal RTV Silicone gasket is sufficient to produce many parts. Not only Loxeal gaskets need a fraction of storage space they also reduce the inventory cost significantly.
Automation: For highspeed assembly lines, application of liquid gaskets can easily be automated using auto dispensing systems and robotics. Elixir can assist customers is setting up the desired automated dosing equipments.
When working with RTV Silicone gaskets, following parameters can provide the successful outcome.
Sealing surface: The RTV Silicone flange joint should be a single plane sealing surface.
Surface Cleanliness: is very important for a successful sealing joint. Flanges should be properly cleaned with a solvent based cleaner and assembly must be performed before the touch free time of RTV Silicone (typically less than 10min).
Flange Width: Should be minimum 15 to 20mm
Flange thickness: of a stamped steel cover ranges from 1 to 1.5mm. For cast aluminium cover it ranges from 5mm to 10mm
Retention Groove: For stampings or non-structural joints, retention groove on one of the surfaces should be used. Typical groove width is 3mm and 1.5mm depth in cast surface and upto 6mm in steel flanges.
Distance between inside fluid sealing edge and bolt hole is usually 6mm.
Bolt Span should not be more than 10 bolt diameters apart. For example, for a nominal bolt diameter of 10mm, spacing between bolts should not be more than 100mm.
Air escape route need to be provided for the curing by-products to be liberated in the curing process.
Gap filling: Although Loxeal Silicone gaskets can cure upto 6mm thickness, for high speed production lines curing beyond 2mm can take a very long time. As a thumb rule, the first 2mm of RTV Silicone takes about 24hours to cure and subsequent every 1mm takes another 24hours to fully cure.
Assemble parts quickly after application of the product (<10min) because Loxeal RTV Silicone gaskets start curing immediately after the application.
Rate of curing: The rate of curing for Loxeal RTV gaskets depend on the humidity and moisture present on the substrate and environment. In a low humid environment, humidity ovens can be used to accelerate the curing.
Pressure testing: Allow maximum possible cure time before doing pressure testing. Use minimum possible air pressure for online quality testing.
Cured in place liquid gaskets are the unique and newer gasketing technology combining the advantages of compressed solid gaskets and liquid adhesives. Cured in Place gaskets (CIPG) perform by adhering themselves permanently to one of the sealing flanges and forming a seal through compression of cured gasket on the other side. The other major advantage of this technology is offering great productivity (particularly in UV technology) by curing in seconds when exposed to Ultra Violet lights.
Cured in Place (CIPG) gasket technology needs more care and precision in application to form consistent bead size, position and film thickness in continuous mode. Application using automatic or semi-automatic dispensing systems should be preferred.
CIPG (Cured in Place Gasketing) offers many advantages over traditional cut and compression gaskets. They are but not limited to:
Serviceability: Because “Cured in Place Gaskets” only adhere to one flange, it is very easy to disassemble the flange joints and service the parts.
Reusability: Because CIP Gaskets attach themselves to one side, they can be reused.
Improved Quality: Because the application of CIPG (Cured in Place Gaskets) happen normally through automatic methods, it offers great precision in application and resultant quality levels.
Quality Testing: Online QA can be performed in shortest possible time because of rapid curing of the UV based gasketing solutions.
High productivity: Due to rapid curing of the product and its ability to undergo online pressure testing, Cured in Place Gaskets (CIPG) offer very high productivity.
Flexible manufacturing: Application through robotic arms can be easily programmed to follow multiple gasketing patterns.
Key Selection Criterion | Anaerobic Gasket | Silicone Gasket | Gasket Dressing Compound | CIPG (UV Cured) |
Substrates Type | Rigid | Rigid or Sheet metal | Rigid | Rigid |
Substrate material | Metals | Metals & Plastics | Metals & Plastics | Metals & Plastics |
Max Gap filling capability | 0.3mm | 6mm | 0.1mm | 0.25mm |
Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Good |
Operating Temperature range |
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Instant Seal Capability | Under Low Pressure | Under Low Pressure | High pressure | High pressure |
Initial Curing time |
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Full Curing time |
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Can be dismantles without reapplying | No | No | No | Yes |
Gasket dressing compounds are both solvent based and 100% solid materials designed to be used along with a compression or die cut gasket to fill the surface imperfections 100% and also enable easy disassembly during service. They come in both curing and non-drying, non-setting versions to enable different end use applications.
A non-setting dressing gasketing sealant does not harden even at high temperatures and breaks cohesively when flanges are pulled apart leaving traces of sealant on both the sides. When flanges are assembled back, the sealant joins itself again in a self-healing mechanism. This makes them ideal for sealing close fitting machines flanges in combination with a compressed gaskets.They resist high temperature and vibrations and remain impervious to most industrial fluids.
Every end application is unique and that’s why at Elixir we have liquid gasket solutions in various formulations to meet most customers’ demands. Yet there are conditions and end requirements where liquid gaskets have few limitations and are not always suitable.
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