Not all joints hold the gasket in place. Electrical cabinet doors, food mixers and HVAC access panels are situations that often lack mechanical gasket retention features. In such cases the gasket must be adhesively bonded to the frame, cover or lid. Adhesives can be messy and awkward to use, and that’s why it’s worth asking about gasket material with a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA.)
The advantages of “peel and stick”
PSA is bonded to the gasket material before shapes are cut out. On the reverse side, (away from the gasket material) there’s a release film which is peeled off before the gasket is installed.
The advantages of PSA-coated gaskets are:
- Easier to install.
- Stay in place when the joint is opened.
- Facilitates “kiss-cutting”. This is when the die cutter goes all the way through the gasket material but stops short of the PSA release film. Kiss-cutting holds the individual gaskets together in a sheet or roll, making them easier to handle.
Material compatibility
Most gasket materials will take a PSA coating. For example, both neoprene and silicone gasket material can be ordered with PSA. The major exception is PTFE gasket material as this is naturally non-stick.
PSA cautions
A PSA used on gasket material becomes part of the joint and experiences the same temperatures, pressures and chemicals as the gasket itself. Accordingly, the PSA must be matched to the application. Silicone gaskets are a good example. As these are used for both high and low temperatures the PSA must be chosen appropriately. In some cases the available PSA’s will limit the service conditions.
PSA selection is of particular importance when installing food grade or FDA gaskets. For these applications the adhesive must also be food grade.
Replacing a PSA gasket can be time-consuming. This is because the old adhesive must be completely removed from the joint faces before the new gasket goes on.
Make life easier
Depending on the gasket material and the nature of the application, a PSA can simplify gasket installation. If “peel and stick” gaskets would simplify your next sealing job, talk to Hennig.
