Gasket with selectively positioned seal enhancement zones

摘要

A gasket with selectively positioned seal enhancement zones located in the web of the gasket is provided. The gasket is formed of a base sheet of gasket material cut to define an interior aperture bounded by an interior edge and webs. Slots are formed at selected locations within the seal enhancement zones and the slots are bounded by edges. An edge coating of polymeric material is applied to the slot edges and, in one embodiment, project beyond the facial planes of the base sheet to form raised rims. An edge coating also may be formed on the interior edge bounding the aperture of the gasket. When clamped between a pair of flange surfaces, the polymeric edge coatings on the slot edges engage and seal against the flange surfaces within the seal enhancement zones to provide an enhanced seal against leakage in these zones.