Nomex gaskets

Nomex gaskets are used wherever high temperatures, reliable insulation and permanently stable material properties are required. The aramid-based material has been established for many years in demanding industrial applications, particularly in areas with continuous thermal load and increased requirements for electrical safety.

Compared with conventional fibre or elastomer gaskets, Nomex offers significantly higher temperature resistance as well as constant dimensional stability over long operating periods. As a result, Nomex gaskets are particularly suitable for applications in which temperature fluctuations, heat exposure or electrical insulation play a central role. Typical fields of application are found in mechanical engineering, in electrical engineering and in temperature-loaded assemblies of industrial plants.

What are Nomex gaskets?

Nomex gaskets consist of Nomex, a synthetic aramid material based on polyamide, which was originally developed for demanding applications in electrical engineering and in the high-temperature range. The material is processed from aramid fibres into a solid, paper-like material that is characterised by high thermal stability and very good insulating properties.

As a gasket material, Nomex is generally used in the form of sheets, films or impregnated composites. These semi-finished products can be further processed into flat gaskets, insulating discs or interlayers. Nomex gaskets serve less for classic media sealing under high pressure, but above all for the separation, insulation and thermal decoupling of components.

Typical of Nomex gaskets are applications with high temperatures, dry operating conditions and moderate mechanical loads. Particularly in electrical and electromechanical assemblies, Nomex often takes on a dual function as a sealing and insulating material and thereby replaces several individual components.

Material properties of Nomex

Nomex gaskets are characterised by the following properties:

• Temperature resistance up to approx. 220 °C, higher for short periods
• Good dimensional stability even under continuous load
• Very good electrical insulating properties
• Low thermal conductivity
• Good resistance to many oils, greases and solvents

These properties make Nomex a proven material in mechanical and plant engineering.

Typical areas of application

Nomex gaskets are used in numerous industrial areas, particularly where temperature resistance and insulation are required:

• Electrical engineering and industrial electronics: insulating and sealing elements in transformers, control cabinets, generators and electrical assemblies
• Mechanical engineering: flat gaskets, interlayers and insulating discs in machines with increased operating temperatures
• Vehicle and drive technology: use in engine, transmission and exhaust components with thermal load
• Chemical industry: gaskets under moderate chemical exposure and high temperatures
• Plant and apparatus engineering: thermal separation and insulation of components and flange connections
• Energy and power plant technology: insulating gaskets in heat-loaded assemblies and units

Advantages over classic gasket materials

Compared with conventional fibre gaskets, Nomex offers:

• Higher continuous heat resistance
• Better dimensional stability
• Longer service lives under thermal load
• Reliable insulation without additional materials

Limits of Nomex gaskets

Nomex gaskets are suitable for many high-temperature applications, but do have material-related application limits. In applications with strong steam pressure or permanently moist media, Nomex loses mechanical stability, since the material is primarily designed for dry or slightly oily operating conditions.

Nomex is also only of limited suitability for strongly aggressive chemicals, in particular concentrated acids or alkalis. In such environments, chemical attack can impair the structure of the material and shorten the service life of the gasket.

Furthermore, Nomex is less suitable for dynamic applications with relative movements, vibrations or changing surface pressures. Here Nomex gaskets reach their limits due to their paper-like structure, so that materials such as PTFE or elastomers are often the more suitable choice.

Selection criteria for Nomex gaskets

The following points should be taken into account for correct dimensioning:

• Operating temperature and temperature peaks
• Mechanical load and surface pressure
• Media contact
• Installation situation and gasket geometry
• Required electrical insulation

A material-appropriate selection increases the service life of the gasket and reduces maintenance effort.

Custom-made Nomex gaskets

Nomex gaskets can be processed very precisely and are therefore particularly suitable for custom-made solutions. Depending on the requirement, Nomex sheets or films are punched, cut or contour-milled in order to produce precisely fitting gaskets for specific installation situations.

Custom-made Nomex gaskets offer the advantage that geometry, material thickness and tolerances can be matched exactly to the respective application. As a result, assembly times can be reduced, uniform surface pressures achieved and the functional reliability of the assembly increased.

Particularly in special-purpose machines, prototypes or smaller series, individually manufactured Nomex gaskets are used, since they represent a reliable solution for demanding thermal and electrical requirements.

In summary

Nomex gaskets have become established as a reliable solution for industrial applications with high thermal requirements and a need for electrical insulation. The material combines temperature resistance, dimensional stability and insulating properties in a form that is particularly suitable for dry and thermally loaded application environments.

Through the targeted use of Nomex, components can be thermally decoupled, electrical safety increased and service lives of assemblies extended. A prerequisite for successful use is an application-related design in which temperature, media contact and mechanical load are taken into account. In combination with custom-made cut pieces, Nomex gaskets offer a technically clean and economically sensible solution for many demanding industrial applications.

Frequently asked questions about Nomex gaskets

For which temperatures are Nomex gaskets suitable?

Nomex gaskets are suitable for continuous operating temperatures up to about 220 °C and remain dimensionally stable even under short-term temperature peaks.

Are Nomex gaskets chemical-resistant?

Nomex has good resistance to many oils, greases and solvents. For strongly aggressive chemicals, an application-related test is recommended.

Can Nomex gaskets be manufactured individually?

Nomex gaskets can be manufactured as dimensionally accurate cut pieces or punched parts and adapted exactly to the required geometry.

Are Nomex gaskets suitable for pressure applications?

Nomex is suitable for moderate surface pressures. At high pressures or dynamic loads, other materials are often the more appropriate choice.

Can Nomex gaskets provide electrical insulation?

Nomex has very good electrical insulating properties and is frequently used to electrically separate components from one another.

Are Nomex gaskets suitable for moist environments?

Nomex is primarily designed for dry or slightly oily conditions. For permanent moisture or steam exposure, an alternative material should be considered.

In which forms are Nomex gaskets available?

Nomex gaskets are available as sheet material, films and as individually punched or cut gaskets.

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