Spiral wound gaskets play a key role in preventing leaks in tough industrial settings like oil refineries, chemical plants, power stations, and steam systems. As India’s industries grow quickly, more businesses are looking for strong gaskets that can handle high heat, high pressure, and harsh chemicals.

Selecting the right spiral wound gasket is not just a matter of convenience — it’s a critical step in ensuring equipment safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Whether you’re an engineer, procurement officer, or maintenance head, knowing how to choose spiral wound gaskets smartly can save you time, money, and headaches.

Let’s explore 10 expert tips to help you make the best spiral wound gasket selection for your industrial needs.

1. Understand the Application Pressure & Temperature Ratings

The first step in selecting the right spiral wound gasket is identifying the maximum and minimum temperature and pressure ranges your system will operate in. Spiral wound gaskets are designed for:

  • Temperatures up to 1000°C
  • Pressures up to 250 bar (3625 psi)

Always refer to the Pressure-Temperature Rating Chart provided by BIS or ASME standards to avoid gasket blowout or leakage.

In high-temperature steam pipelines (common in Indian thermal plants), choose graphite-filled spiral wound gaskets for their superior temperature resistance.

2. Choose the Right Filler Material

The filler material between the metal windings affects both chemical resistance and temperature handling.

Filler Material    Max Temp (°C)    Best For
Graphite 550 High temperature, steam lines  
PTFE 260 Corrosive chemicals
Mica-Graphite 1000 Extreme heat, oxidizing media 

For Indian chemical processing industries, PTFE is a top choice due to its excellent compatibility with acids and alkalis.

3. Select the Metal Winding Material Wisely

The metal strip that winds around the filler determines mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Here are common options:

1️⃣ SS 304 / SS 316 – Most widely used in the Indian market; good for general-purpose and marine environments.

2️⃣ Inconel / Monel – Ideal for highly corrosive or high-pressure applications.

In coastal Indian regions or marine applications, go for SS 316 for better corrosion resistance compared to SS 304.

4. Match the Gasket to the Flange Type

The flange face type — raised face (RF), flat face (FF), tongue-and-groove (T&G), or male-female (M/F) — plays a big role in gasket selection.

  • Raised face (RF): Most common in Indian industries; spiral wound gaskets with outer rings are ideal.
  • Tongue-and-groove: Requires centering ring-less gaskets.

Quick Checklist:

✔️ Raised face? Choose gasket with inner & outer rings

✔️ Flat face? Use gaskets with compression control

✔️ Mismatched flanges? Avoid spiral wound; risk of leakage

5. Ensure Compatibility with Process Media

Not all gaskets are created equal. Selecting a spiral wound gasket that can resist the specific chemicals, gases, or steam flowing through your system is critical.

Material Compatibility Matrix:

Media Type Recommended Gasket
Steam SS 316 + Graphite
Hydrocarbons SS 304 + PTFE
Acids (HCl) Monel + PTFE
Alkalis Inconel + Graphite

6. Follow Industry Standards (ASME, IS, API)

In India, top-tier industries demand compliance with ASME B16.20, IS 2712, or API 601. Ensure your gasket manufacturer adheres to:

  • Material traceability
  • Dimensional accuracy
  • Performance testing (hydrostatic, burst, etc.)

Working with a BIS or ISO 9001-certified spiral wound gasket manufacturer in India can simplify procurement and ensure long-term reliability.

7. Understand Inner and Outer Ring Requirements

  • Outer Rings (centering rings): Ensure correct alignment and prevent blowout
  • Inner Rings: Protect filler material and prevent inward buckling

For high-pressure steam pipelines or thermal cycling equipment, always go for gaskets with both inner and outer rings.

8. Pay Attention to Gasket Thickness

Spiral wound gaskets are available in common thicknesses like 3.2 mm, 4.5 mm, and 6.4 mm. Thicker gaskets don’t always mean better sealing.

Ideal Thickness by Flange Type:

  • 3.2 mm: Low-pressure, light-duty flanges
  • 4.5 mm: Standard RF flanges (most Indian applications)
  • 6.4 mm: Uneven flange faces or heavy-duty applications

9. Ask for Customisation for Critical Systems

In India’s petrochemical, refinery, and pharma sectors, custom gaskets are often required to meet unique demands like:

  • Non-standard sizes
  • Exotic metal winding
  • FDA-grade fillers

Work with a manufacturer who offers design support, in-house testing, and rapid prototyping for such critical needs.

10. Choose a Trusted Spiral Wound Gasket Manufacturer

spiral wound gasket(SWG)

The quality of your gasket is only as good as the manufacturer. When choosing a spiral wound gasket supplier in India, look for:

  • In-house testing and QA systems
  • Experience in your industry segment
  • Compliance with global standards
  • Fast lead times for urgent requirements

Leading Indian sectors using spiral wound gaskets:

  • Oil & Gas (ONGC, IOCL, HPCL)
  • Fertilizer plants
  • Pharmaceutical equipment manufacturers
  • Thermal & Nuclear Power Plants

Common Spiral Wound Gasket Failures (and What Causes Them)

1️⃣ Blowout: Due to incorrect installation or no inner ring

2️⃣ Creep or relaxation: Incompatible filler material

3️⃣ Leakage: Uneven flange faces or improper bolt tightening

4️⃣ Corrosion: Wrong metal choice

5️⃣ Compression failure: Gasket too thick or too soft

Insight into the Indian Gasket Market

  • India’s industrial gasket market is growing at 8–10% CAGR, driven by power, oil & gas, and water treatment sectors.
  • SS 304 spiral wound gaskets remain the most widely used due to cost-effectiveness.
  • Custom gasket demand is rising in South India’s pharma clusters (Hyderabad, Chennai) and Western India’s petrochemical hubs (Gujarat, Maharashtra).

Choose Smart, Seal Better

Spiral wound gaskets are critical for industrial sealing performance — and selecting the right one can dramatically improve equipment lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure compliance with safety norms. These 10 expert tips will guide you in making a well-informed decision.

But when in doubt, always consult with an experienced spiral wound gasket manufacturer who understands your industry, materials, and performance goals.

Conclusion

Choosing the right spiral wound gasket isn’t the same for every system. It depends on things like operating conditions, the type of fluid or gas used, industry rules, and how well the gasket needs to seal.

With the growing demand for high-pressure, high-temperature solutions across Indian industries, the need for expert gasket selection has never been more important.

At IGP Engineers Pvt Ltd, we combine decades of experience with precision engineering to deliver reliable, high-quality spiral wound gaskets tailored for your industry—whether it’s oil & gas, power generation, petrochemicals, or pharmaceuticals. Our gaskets are manufactured in compliance with ASME, IS, and API standards, ensuring performance, safety, and longevity.

Looking for the best spiral wound gasket for your application?
Contact partner with IGP Engineers Pvt Ltd – your trusted spiral wound gasket manufacturer in India.