EPDM Gaskets in Marine Environments and Water Treatment Plants

EPDM Gaskets in Marine Environments and Water Treatment Plants

In marine environments and in water treatment plants, such as sewage, desalination and drinking water plants, gaskets play a crucial role in maintaining the tightness and efficiency of the systems. EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer) gaskets have proven to be a reliable choice due to their unique characteristics and their ability to withstand the specific challenges of these environments.

Use of EPDM Gaskets in Marine Environments

1. Vessels and marine equipment: EPDM gaskets are essential to ensure tightness in various areas, such as potable water pipe connections, cooling systems, drains, bilge systems and water treatment equipment and waste treatment on board ships. EPDM’s resistance to weathering, salinity, and UV rays, as well as its ability to withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity, make it an optimal choice for these applications.

Application Example: In a marine cooling system, EPDM gaskets are used to seal the connections between pipes and components such as heat exchangers and pumps. EPDM’s resistance to corrosion and its ability to withstand harsh marine conditions ensure efficient and reliable system operation.

2. Coastal and marine infrastructures: EPDM gaskets are also used in coastal infrastructures, such as piers, levees, breakwaters and offshore platforms. These joints ensure tightness and prevent water leaks, protecting the structures from the corrosive effects and erosion caused by constant exposure to water salinity and marine conditions.

Application example: In a marine breakwater, EPDM gaskets are used to seal the joints between concrete or steel panels, preventing water leakage and protecting the breakwater structure against corrosion and damage caused by waves and tides.

Use of EPDM Gaskets in Water Treatment Plants

1. Sewage Treatment Plants and Water Treatment Plants: In sewage treatment plants and water treatment plants, EPDM gaskets are used in various equipment and systems, such as sedimentation tanks, anaerobic digesters, sand filters, and pipelines. These joints ensure tightness and prevent leakage of wastewater or chemicals used in treatment processes.

Example of application: In a sedimentation tank of a sewage plant, EPDM gaskets are used in the connections between the inlet and outlet pipes, as well as in the inspection openings. This ensures that the tank holds water and sediment properly without leakage, allowing for effective separation of solids and liquids in the treatment process.

2. Desalination plants and water treatment plants: In desalination plants and water treatment plants, EPDM gaskets are essential to seal the connections of filtration systems, reverse osmosis membranes, storage tanks and distribution pipes. These joints ensure tightness and prevent water loss, ensuring the quality of the treated water.

Example of application: In a desalination plant, EPDM gaskets are used in the connections of the seawater inlet and outlet pipes, as well as in the connections of the pipes that carry treated water. These gaskets guarantee a hermetic seal, preventing unwanted seawater leakage and ensuring a reliable desalinated water supply.

Conclusion

EPDM gaskets play a crucial role in marine environments and in water treatment plants, such as sewage, desalination and drinking water plants. Their ability to withstand the specific challenges of these environments, such as salinity, humidity, and temperature changes, makes them a reliable choice to ensure system tightness and efficiency. The numerous application examples mentioned, demonstrate the versatility and value of EPDM gaskets in these contexts; ensuring efficient and safe water handling in marine environments and in water treatment plants.

Raw Materials Crisis January 2021/May 2021

Since January 2021, we are suffering one of the greatest raw material crises of the last decade. The recovery of the industrial activity after Covid-19’s stop has led to a rise in demand for raw materials. In addition to this the raw material production has not fully recovered either. This shortage along with the constant increase in demand is leading to an incessant increase of raw materials prices. This situation is affecting all manner of materials: Rubbers, metals, plastics, composites, etc. This is mainly caused by:

  • The incessant increase of Asian market demand along with the rapid recuperation of big economies such as those of USA and China.
  • Covid-19 direct effects, as for example production facilities closing down.
  • Stock shortage.
  • Price increases in the packing and transport sectors.

In response to these materials’ shortage, industries are buying far beyond their needs to ensure material supply. In consequence of this excess of demand, lead times are being affected and increased.

We foresee a longer purchase prevision in terms of medium and short time delivery. We are concerned we must increase most of our products prices alongside with the constant raw materials increments. These adjustments will only be applied if conditions are strictly necessary and we have no other option. Product prices will be checked individually upon receipt of your orders.

Working against our endeavor to maintain prices as constant as possible, raw material suppliers are giving us monthly price rises until the present situation stabilizes.

Products especially affected are: Rubber gaskets, especially EPDM gaskets; neoprene gaskets, Viton gaskets, silicone gaskets, copper washers, aluminum washers, brass washers, bimetallic washers and steel washers. Plastic washers, particularly polyamide washers, PTFE washers; extruded rubber profiles, cellular and compact rubber; plastic injected parts and molded gaskets.

We hope to maintain prices in other articles such us compressed gasket sheets, O-rings, cork gaskets, machined fiberglass, vulcanized fiber washers…

We apologize for any negative impact that this situation may cause you. If you require more information regarding our new prices, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail mcusell@mcusell.com or by calling us at +34 93 713 17 34.

 

Rubber Steel flange gaskets

Manufactures Cusell can now offer you Rubber Steel flange gaskets with or without profile and with a variety of elastomers such as EPDM, NBR, CR, NR, HNBR, FPM-S, IIR, CSM. These seals are manufactured to EN 1514-1, DIN 2690, ASME-B 16.21, DIN ISO 2501 PN10, DIN 16962.

New price list for EPDM gaskets PN10/16 2012

You can find our price list for download in “Standard parts/Flange Gaskets”. These gaskets comply with FDA.

Are raw material prices for rubber stabilizing?

This new price index is elaborated by RADO Gummi in Germany and presented by the German magazine Dicht. It shows a healty tendency towards a stabilization in costs for the most common materials.The base of the index the value 1,0 of SBR.

Base  Price index Price evolution
SBR 1.0
EPDM 1.0
NBR 1.3
NR 1.0
CR 1.5
VMQ 1.6
ECO 1.7
IIR 2.2
AEM 2.1
ACM 2.4
AU/EU 5.6
HNBR 7.2
FKM 8.2
FVMQ 14.6

Symbols: ^ increase, — same price, ↓ decrease

Source: DICHT 03-2012

What a trade fair !

In spite of vulcanic ashes and consequent difficulties with transport meaning that many visitors couldn’t get to the fair, we are very pleased with the results of the Hannover Messe 2010. We enjoyed good business with old friends and met a surprising amount of new contacts, many of who are now new clients and/or suppliers. Thanks to everybody for a great show !

The chemical industry requires increasing collaboration from the manufacturers of specific gaskets and seals.

According to the German trade magazine “DICHT”, the chemical industry is turning to the manufacturers of seals and gaskets for help in

developing seals resistant to heat problems and abrasive chemical substances.Read more in “DICHT” 01/2009.