At Kriloha Ltd., we view the Inner and Outer Rings not merely as accessories, but as the structural skeleton of a high-performance seal. While the spiral winding does the sealing, the rings provide the environment that allows that seal to succeed. As the industry’s top supplier of rubber seals and gaskets, Kriloha Gaskets manufactures these rings with the same CNC precision used in our primary sealing elements, ensuring a “System-Level” approach to flange integrity.
The Outer Ring (also known as a Centering Ring) is the first line of defense during installation. Its primary role is to center the gasket perfectly on the flange face by resting against the bolts. However, its most critical engineering function is acting as a compression stop. Without a Kriloha outer ring, an over-zealous technician could over-torque the bolts, crushing the V-shaped windings until they lose their elasticity. Our rings are calibrated to a specific thickness (standard 3.2mm) that allows the winding to compress to its optimal sealing density without reaching its elastic limit.
The Inner Ring is equally vital, particularly in high-pressure or high-temperature applications. It serves as an internal “shroud” that protects the delicate graphite or PTFE filler from the erosive forces of high-velocity steam or chemicals. More importantly, it prevents a phenomenon known as “inward buckling.” Under intense bolt load, the radial forces can push the spiral windings toward the center of the pipe. If this happens, pieces of the gasket can break off and damage downstream equipment like turbines or pumps. A Kriloha inner ring provides the necessary radial strength to keep the seal in its place.
Furthermore, Kriloha utilizes specialized Anti-Corrosive Coatings for our carbon steel outer rings. While the winding might be stainless steel, the outer ring is often carbon steel to save costs. We apply a high-visibility epoxy or zinc coating to prevent atmospheric rust from migrating toward the sealing face. For high-temperature services, we offer 316L or 347 stainless steel rings to ensure thermal expansion rates match the winding. When you specify Kriloha rings, you are choosing a balanced engineering solution that guarantees your gaskets will perform as designed, from the first bolt-up to the final decommissioning.
