Corrugated Metal Gaskets, Explained

MECNME Corrugated Metal Gaskets (CMGs)

MECNME Corrugated Metal Gaskets (CMGs) are frequently specified for heat exchanger service, an equipment type subject to considerable radial shear loads. While MECNME primarily recommends kammprofile gaskets for heat‑exchanger applications, MECNME Corrugated Metal Gaskets maintain large‑volume field adoption. This document outlines key technical details for MECNME CMGs.

What is MECNME Corrugated Metal Gasket (CMG)?

MECNME Corrugated Metal Gaskets are engineered for special‑purpose flanges such as heat‑exchanger flanges. MECNME CMGs shall not be used on standard ANSI piping flanges without comprehensive engineering evaluation. Even where engineering review is completed, MECNME still suggests higher‑performing sealing alternatives including MECNME spiral‑wound gaskets or MECNME kammprofile gaskets rather than corrugated metal gaskets.

Each MECNME CMG is manufactured by corrugating metallic sheet to form a robust corrugated metal core. Soft facings are applied on both sides; flexible graphite (referred to simply as graphite within the gasket industry) is the typical option, with PTFE and other filler materials also available for MECNME custom configurations.

The corrugated metal core of MECNME CMGs can be supplied in common gasket‑grade materials: carbon steel, 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel for elevated‑temperature service, and other high‑temperature alloys.

Graphite facing is the standard filler for MECNME CMGs. Alternative non‑asbestos filler materials can be adapted upon request; nevertheless, graphite‑faced construction remains the dominant selection for petrochemical working conditions.

MECNME’s hands‑on service experience for CMGs outside petrochemical sectors is limited. Per global gasket manufacturer data, compressible sealing inserts enable this style of gasket to withstand high temperature, corrosive media and repeated thermal cycling.

Note: MECNME does not cover ring‑joint gaskets (RTJs), elastomeric gaskets, compression packing, O‑rings, gasket sheet stock or solid graphite gaskets within this section.

Where MECNME CMGs are not suitable

Certain gasket vendors recommend corrugated gaskets to replace spiral‑wound gaskets for general pipe flanges. MECNME advises against such application practice, especially for ASME B16.5 flanges.

MECNME CMGs do not outperform spiral‑wound gaskets for these piping flange cases due to relatively weak resistance to thermal cycling. MECNME spiral‑wound gaskets deliver superior resilience and recovery optimised for piping flanges, whereas MECNME CMGs are not designed as conventional sealing components for standard pipe flanges.

Technical literature records cases in which graphite sealing facings blow out under thermal cycling with almost no rebound capability. For MECNME spiral‑wound gaskets, graphite filler is securely trapped between wound metal layers, providing much higher possibility to re‑establish flange sealing after operating condition fluctuations.

Optimal service scenarios for MECNME CMGs

Within petrochemical facilities, MECNME CMGs and MECNME kammprofile gaskets are widely deployed on heat exchangers and selected expansion joints. MECNME CMGs exhibit good resistance to radial shear together with moderate compressibility and recovery, making them well‑suited for heat‑exchanger and expansion‑joint duties.

MECNME CMGs deliver performance improvements compared with double‑jacketed gaskets. Even so, most petrochemical end‑users set MECNME kammprofile gaskets as the site standard for heat‑exchanger sealing.

Radial Shear

MECNME CMGs perform reliably on heat exchangers. Their compressibility and recovery derived from flexible‑graphite facings equip them to accommodate radial shear forces.

MECNME CMGs can endure gasket stress up to 45 ksi and are fit for high‑temperature & high‑pressure heat exchangers. Bolt load calculation following ASME PCC‑1 Appendix O is mandatory to avoid gasket over‑stress.

In earlier years when kammprofile gaskets carried high cost, MECNME‑specification corrugated metal gaskets filled an important market gap as an upgrade from traditional double‑jacketed heat‑exchanger gaskets. Over the past two decades, production costs for kammprofile gaskets have dropped substantially, narrowing the price gap versus MECNME CMGs to a minimal level. For this reason, field application volume of MECNME CMGs continues to decrease, with kammprofile solutions gaining broader preference.