Peer Reviewed Engineering Content Updated: 2026 What is a Spiral Wound Gasket? Applications, Types, and Specifications 2026 Imagine a high-pressure steam line in a refinery hitting 450°C. Suddenly, a standard flat gasket yields under the thermal cycle, leading to a catastrophic blowout that shuts down the entire unit. This is the exact pain point where the Spiral Wound Gasket becomes non-negotiable. Engineered for resilience, these semi-metallic seals "breathe" with the flange movement, ensuring your plant stays leak-free under the most punishing hydrostatic loads. Key Engineering Takeaways Dynamic Sealing: Unlike solid gaskets, the spiral winding acts like a spring, compensating for flange face variations. Standard Compliance: Dimensions and markings are governed strictly by ASME B16.20. Material Versatility: Can be customized with various metals (SS316, Monel) and fillers (Graphite, PTFE) for specific chemical compatibility. What is a Spiral Wound Gasket? A Spiral Wound Gasket is a semi-metallic seal formed by winding an alternating V-shaped metal strip and soft non-metallic filler. This construction provides exceptional recovery properties, allowing the gasket to maintain a tight seal under fluctuating temperatures and pressures up to Class 2500 in industrial piping systems. "In my 20 years of site inspections, the most common failure isn't the gasket itself, but the omission of an inner ring in high-pressure vacuum services. Always specify Style CGI for anything above Class 600 to prevent winding buckling." — Atul Singla, Founder of EPCLand Table of Contents Engineering Construction of Spiral Wound Gasket Mandatory Markings (ASME B16.20) Material Selection for Fillers & Metals Color Coding Chart Classification of Gasket Types Dimensional Specifications Determining Correct Thickness Pressure & Temperature Limits Spiral Wound Gasket Engineering Check Question 1 of 5 Which ASME standard governs the dimensions and markings of a Spiral Wound Gasket? ASME B16.20 ASME B16.5 ASME B16.9 What is the primary function of the inner ring in a Style CGI Spiral Wound Gasket? To make the gasket easier to handle To prevent inward buckling of the windings To center the gasket within the bolts Which color is standard for identifying a Spiral Wound Gasket with 316L Stainless Steel winding material? Yellow Green Orange In a "Style CG" gasket, what does the "C" and "G" represent? Centering Ring and Gasket Element Compressed Graphite Corrosion Guide What is the standard manufactured thickness for the sealing element of a Spiral Wound Gasket? 3.2 mm (0.125")
