ParFab Extruded & Vulcanised gaskets
ParFab Extruded & Hot Vulcanised Gaskets
ParFab™ extruded and hot vulcanised gaskets from Parker TechSeal provide a versatile sealing solution for applications requiring custom profiles, spliced rings, large diameter seals, picture frame gaskets and long length extrusions.
Ashton Seals supplies ParFab gasket solutions for customers needing standard or bespoke sealing profiles in a wide range of elastomer materials. ParFab products are designed for demanding industrial, environmental and technical sealing applications where reliable performance, material compatibility and accurate gasket geometry are essential.
What are ParFab gaskets?
ParFab fabricated gaskets are produced from precision extruded elastomer profiles and joined using a hot vulcanisation process. This process uses an adhesive based on the same polymer as the finished product, helping provide strong bond integrity and consistent chemical resistance across the splice.
Typical ParFab products include:
- Hot vulcanised spliced rings
- Four-corner picture frame gaskets
- Bulk extruded cord
- Cut-to-length extrusions
- Custom fabricated gaskets
- Compression limited gaskets
- Low-closure force seals
- Large diameter rings
- Non-standard solid O-rings
Standard and custom extruded profiles
ParFab profiles are available in a wide choice of standard and custom cross sections, including solid and hollow O profiles, solid and hollow D profiles, U-channel, rectangular, square, hollow square and hollow dart configurations. These profiles can be supplied as bulk cord, spliced rings or fabricated custom gaskets.
Product options
Spliced rings
Hot vulcanised spliced rings can be supplied in standard or customer-specified cross sections. Parker’s design guide notes a minimum spliced diameter of 1.500” / 38.1 mm I.D., subject to cross-section design.
Four-corner picture frame gaskets
Four-corner spliced gaskets are ideal for flat panel and no-groove sealing applications, particularly environmental sealing. These can be specified using outside dimensions and the selected cross section.
Bulk cord and cut-to-length seals
Extruded profiles can be supplied as bulk cord, coiled, spooled or cut to specific lengths depending on the application and cross section.
Custom fabricated gaskets
For non-standard applications, custom fabricated ParFab gaskets can be produced to customer-approved drawings, with design support available for material selection, profile choice and part specification.
Attachment and sealing options
ParFab extruded profiles can be designed for several attachment methods, including hardware capture, friction-fit grooves, dovetail grooves, standard O-ring type grooves, press-fit notches and pressure sensitive adhesive backing. PSA backing is suitable for many flat-backed profiles and can be useful for low-compression enclosures where machined grooves are not practical.
Material availability
ParFab sealing materials are available in a broad range of elastomer compounds for different markets and application requirements. Many compounds are formulated to meet specialist standards including UL, ASTM, Military, FDA, USP Class VI and NSF requirements.
View and download the full brochure: Parker_TechSeal_ParFab_Design-Guide_TSD-5420.pdf
Applications
ParFab extruded and vulcanised gaskets are suitable for:
- Environmental sealing
- Enclosures and access panels
- Flat panel sealing
- Large diameter sealing
- Industrial equipment
- Aerospace and defence applications
- Low-closure force sealing
- Custom gasket assemblies
Speak to Ashton Seals
Ashton Seals can help you specify the correct ParFab profile, material and gasket format for your application. Contact our team to discuss dimensions, material requirements, operating environment and drawing-based custom gasket manufacture.
Email: ask@ashton-group.co.uk
Call: +44 (0) 1226 273700
FAQ's
1. What are ParFab extruded and vulcanised gaskets used for?
ParFab extruded and hot vulcanised gaskets are used in applications requiring custom-shaped seals, large diameter rings, or non-standard profiles. They are commonly used for environmental sealing, enclosures, access panels, and industrial equipment where standard O-rings are not suitable.
2. What is the advantage of hot vulcanisation in gasket manufacturing?
Hot vulcanisation creates a strong, durable bond by using an adhesive based on the same elastomer as the gasket material. This results in improved joint strength, better chemical resistance, and more consistent sealing performance compared to mechanically joined or glued seals.
3. Can ParFab gaskets be manufactured to custom sizes and shapes?
Yes, ParFab gaskets can be fully customised. They are available as spliced rings, picture frame gaskets, or fabricated profiles made to customer drawings. This makes them ideal for applications with unique geometries or large sealing dimensions.
4. What materials are available for ParFab gaskets?
ParFab gaskets are available in a wide range of elastomer materials, including EPDM, silicone, nitrile (NBR), fluorocarbon (FKM), and more. Many materials can meet industry standards such as FDA, UL, and ASTM depending on application requirements.
5. How are ParFab gaskets installed or fixed in place?
ParFab gaskets can be installed using several methods, including groove fitting, compression sealing, friction fit, or pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing. The best option depends on the application design and sealing requirements.