If there is one universally accepted truism, it’s that you get what you pay for. And in few places is this truer than in manufacturing where a cheaply made green sheet gasket could lead to expensive repairs or irreparable damage to your reputation. There is a delicate balance between cost effectiveness and frugalness; one optimizes profitability, the other prioritizes those profits over quality.
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Whenever a manufacturer needs to create a seal between two parts to create a barrier against fluids, electrostatic discharge, electromagnetic interference, dust and dirt, they turn to gaskets. This solution fills the space between two or more mating surfaces, allowing for “less-than-perfect” mating surfaces on parts and fill irregularities.
There is no shortage of the types of gaskets on the market, but there is also a litany of available materials and a wide range of prices. And while a purchasing manager can be tempted to go with the cheapest option available—which is certainly a reasonable knee-jerk reaction: no one likes unnecessary expenses—what we find is that, in fact, cutting costs when purchasing green sheet gaskets leads to greater expense later down the line. Here’s why:
We all know that different materials have different lifespans depending on how they’re used, conditions they’re subjected to, and their build quality. Nothing can last forever, which, of course, includes green sheet gaskets. Over time, gaskets will eventually degrade to the point they are no longer suitable to perform the job they were designed to do.
Though gaskets can come in all shapes and sizes, cheaper materials can impact your machine performance.
So, what can you do? It all comes back to the same notion: you get what you pay for. While green sheet gaskets have upfront appeal because of their cheaper material price, one could imagine gaskets made of a more premium costly material last longer and offer a better return on investment. Imagine two gaskets: one that costs $1.55/unit and the other going for $2.00/unit, which lasts 30% longer than the cheaper option. In this hypothetical, the second one may be more expensive up front, but superior materials will over time prove to be the more cost-effective option. Not only will the gasket need to be changed less often, but it will also save the repair time changing the gasket and keep your equipment operating longer with less downtime.
When it comes to your gaskets, it’s important to remember they’re not invincible and that you’ll need to consistently replace them. We just want to help you make sure your company is profitable without sacrificing quality. If you need help purchasing quality gaskets or any other non-metallic solutions, contact the Breiner team to complete your projects with the right materials today!
