Seals are indispensable in industrial plants. Flat gaskets are used for simple flange connections. For more demanding applications, spiral-wound or comb-profile gaskets are available. Pumps and valves are sealed using mechanical seals or gland packings.
Boiler construction cannot do without handhole, top hole or manhole seals for maintenance openings. These steam boiler openings are sealed using, amongst other things, corrugated ring seals or pressure-resistant fabric seals.
For filtration and insulation, we can supply loosely braided glass fibre plait.
Power stations utilise almost every type of sealing technology.
In addition to flat gaskets for flanges and bolted joints, we also find sealing and insulating cords, mechanical seals and gland packings in a wide variety of designs.
Selecting the right material and ensuring professional installation are crucial to minimising downtime and ensuring safety. That is why seals in power stations are indispensable components that support the performance and reliability of these vital facilities.
In this sector, sealing cords made from C-glass, E-glass or HT-glass are generally used.
For industrial high-temperature furnaces, there are also special materials such as silicon oxide or Belcotex, which can be used at temperatures exceeding 1000 °C.
For domestic wood-burning stoves and pellet stoves, we also manufacture our sealing cords in black. This is necessary because the steel doors and flaps are usually dark grey in colour and the sealing cords are partially visible through the integrated glass panels.
A great deal of research and experimentation is currently taking place in this field. A frequently asked question concerns hydrogen-resistant flat sealing materials. Hydrogen is comparable to helium in terms of its properties. Most tests are therefore carried out using helium. However, our BA120 and BA130 materials already bear the ‘H²-tested’ seal and can be used for hydrogen applications. The use of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas is also a topic of discussion. A hydrogen content of 20% in natural gas is already feasible and poses no problem for seals. According to Viessmann, gas heating systems are already suitable for a hydrogen content of up to 20%. Furthermore, conversion kits are available to adapt existing gas heating systems for use with hydrogen.
Whether for flanged connections or bolted joints, flat gaskets are used here.
In the plumbing sector, most gaskets come in standard DIN sizes. These can then be manufactured in large quantities for use in a wide variety of applications. At Thoenes, we cut or punch virtually any size and shape from flat gasket material to meet specific customer requirements.
In the event of an emergency, we can also provide ‘first aid’. If required, we can even produce special gaskets
in the shortest possible time. By arrangement, your fitter can then collect them from us promptly.
In the mobility sector, seals are also subject to very specific requirements.
For example, in shipbuilding and aircraft construction, great importance is attached to ‘fire-resistant’ certification.
The Belcotex textile fibre, from which we manufacture our sealing cords, holds precisely this certification.
Furthermore, a wide variety of elastomers are used in the mobility sector, such as EPDM, NBR, silicone or FKM. The exact application is crucial here. If the material comes into contact with petrol or oil, for example, the more expensive FKM must be used. For a seal against splash water, such as for a rear light or indicator, silicone or EPDM is sufficient.
We sometimes receive enquiries that have nothing to do with standard sealing applications. Nevertheless, thanks to our extensive range of materials and processing capabilities, we are able to offer a solution in such situations.
Rubber can also be used as a damper, buffer or underlay. For example, we have supplied solid rubber as a support in bridge construction.
Bespoke seals for classic car restoration that are no longer available to buy.
We also develop cords and gaskets to meet our customers’ specific requirements. Whether firm or soft, combining a wide variety of materials or even braiding around third-party products (garden hoses, silicone cores, etc.), we seek out the ideal solution for you.
Cords for the vertical watering of plants that have good capillary action but do not rot
Cords are wrapped in adhesive tape before cutting to prevent the fibres from fraying. We have developed a special impregnation to ensure this works without the need for tape.
We have developed a cut-resistant cord. This can be used as a filler in expansion joints in the plumbing sector. The joint is then sealed with silicone. When cutting out the old silicone joint, the cut-resistant cord ensures that the underlying seal is not damaged.
We also offer a contract processing service for your materials. Please feel free to contact us to discuss this!
