FAQ-Drum Closure Gaskets/Washers
Why does the Drum Leak or Why is there spillage in the Drum?
Chemical Attack:
Depending upon the chemical content of the Drum, the Drum Closure Gasket may get crack, discolor, blisters or swell. Some chemicals may react with certain polymers and damage the Drum Top Gasket. Right selection Polymer material is important to ensure the Gasket is compatible with the content of the Drum.
Compression Set or Recovery percentage:
The Drum Closure Gasket has taken on permanent “set” which means it is unable to recover to its original shape after removal or loosening of Drum Top or deforming stress. Selection of right polymer material and compound with low compression set or higher recovery percentage and extend the serviceability life as well as avoid leakage or spillage.
Ozone Attack:
Tiny traces of ozone in the air attacks double bonds in rubber chains leading to degradation and further to deeper cracks on the surface. Natural Rubber, SBR & Nitrile Rubber are more prone to degradation due to ozone attack. Amber Group therefore recommends using EPDM Rubber Drum Closure Gasketsfor preventing ozone failures.
High Temperature:
The Drum Closure Gaskets are required to pass certain temperatures. Physical and chemical changes can occur to the Polymer material at high temperatures resulting in crack, permanent set. Selecting the right Polymer material that can sustain at elevated temperatures will extend the serviceability life and avoid leakage/ spillage.
Installation Damage:
Damage caused while inserting the Gasket on the Drum Closure can be identified by notch or cut on the surface of the gasket. Correct methods or tools are required to install the gasket on the Drum Closure to avoid such damages and prevent leakage or spillage.
What Drum Closure Gasket material should I use for my application?
Drum Closure Gaskets are majorly made in NITRILE, EPDM & LDPE. However, we do manufacture Drum Closure Gaskets in other Polymers to meet the exact packaging needs of our client.
Material | Hardness Range (Shore A) | Ozone | Compression | Weather Resistance | Odur | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPDM | 75 - 80 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Food, Alkalis, Acids and Oxidants |
NITRILE / NBR / Buna N | 75 - 80 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Oils, Solvents, Gasoline, Petroleum based Fluids |
LDPE/POLY | 35 - 40 Shore D | 2 | 3 | 1 | Low Cost, Good Chemical Resistance, Food | |
FKM/Viton | 75 - 80 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | High Temperature Resistance, High Chemical Resistance, Oil Resistance, Fuel Resistance |
PTFE (Teflon) | 45- 50 Shore D | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Non-reactive and ideal for use with most chemicals. |
Are Drum Closure Gaskets FDA Compliant?
Amber Group produces Drum Top Gaskets that are used in Food Packaging applications. Our Drum Top gaskets are tested in compliance with US Code of Federal Regulations CFR 21, 177.2600 which specify:
- Rubber articles intended for repeated use in Packaging.
- Rubber articles must meet extraction criteria in distilled water and N-Hexane.
Whom do we supply Drum Closure Gaskets to?
Amber Group supplies the Drum Closure Gaskets to all the major manufacturers of Drum Closures Worldwide.
