How Does a Spiral Wound Gasket Work?

Spiral wound gaskets work by creating a seal through a combination of initial sealing, creep relaxation, and resilience. Initially, the gasket is compressed between surfaces, causing the V-shaped metal strip to bite into the filler material, sealing the gap. The gasket experiences creep relaxation as pressure is applied, reducing sealing force. However, its resilience enables it to recover sealing force, ensuring continued effectiveness despite repeated compression and relaxation cycles.