Gaskets require conformance for their applications, which can be supplied as part of the material type or manufacture of the goods. In fact, industrial seals and gaskets belong to the list of products that come under inspection when it comes to product and material traceability. Component traceability has become an important area in the gasket manufacturing industry, as it has helped reduce component failures and product recalls. Any application that involves gaskets requires in-depth knowledge about the manufacturer of the gaskets, and the exact specification that the components are expected to meet. The industries that require such traceability include automobiles, aerospace, oil, gas, and heavy duty industries – all with various levels of traceability required. So, what exactly is gasket material traceability and why is it important? Let us understand this in detail.

What is gasket material traceability?

Gaskets are designed and installed to provide protection and reinforcement to systems involving high pressure levels of any element like water, oil, gas, or chemicals. Just like gaskets provide physical reinforcement, traceability provides a virtual form of material reinforcement. And the documentation, which acts as a profile of each gasket, allows for identification of all the materials within a component. By attaching a series of detailed logistical transactions, we can gain insight into the construction of a gasket. Quality assurance is one of the outcomes of this process, with lot and batch control being partners in the system. In this way, a gasket material traceability program guarantees that an informed engineer always has access to an updated source file of all the gasket materials and manufacturing chains used in the production process.

Why is gasket material traceability important?

Having an understanding of the origin, time of production, material, and properties of the gasket can provide an acceptable level of reduced variation within the processes. Ask yourself – Have you considered the source of your gaskets? How do you know is you are getting the same amount of material consistency? Can you guarantee that you get the same product and performance that meets your requirements each and every time? With these questions, you can definitely ensure that consistent performance in the manufacturing process can significantly reduce risks, lower costs, reduce batch failures, and avoid inferior end products. The more you know about the components involved, the better assurance you have about receiving/delivering a quality product.

However, remember that if the source of a gasket is cut off from this long chain of events, then there is no way to assess the quality of the product. Risks increase because the sandwiching layer between two components is suddenly sensed as a weak link. This is why a properly stamped traceability code is important to guarantee safe function. Gasket material traceability is important to allow for identification of all aspects used. Such kind of traceability plays a big role in Trim Engineering Services, one of the leading spiral wound gasket manufacturers in India, in order to manufacture high quality gaskets in a safe and clean environment with increased productivity and continual growth.