Rubber-edged composite gaskets add environmental benefits to four-stroke

<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20211222/1640159426117919.png" title="1640159426117919.png" alt="8.png"/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Oil leaks areunacceptable. However, during early testing of superchargers by turbocharger manufacturer IHI Turbo America (ITA), rubber-coated metal (RCM) gaskets permitted oil to seep under high torque. The ultimate solution was Select-a-Seal (SAS) rubber-edged composite (REC) gaskets from Interface Solutions Inc (ISI).<br/><br/>The belt-driven superchargers have three flanged joints; the two most critical joints are near the unit’s belt-drive end. In early tests, ITA used RCM seals, which leaked under high torque.<br/><br/>ISI conducted in-house testing and produced technical reports that addressed ITA’s concerns. Static tests of prototype seals under pressure for 1000 hours were conducted in a four-hour cycle from -40°C to 150°C and back. The gaskets performed well, and ITA agreed to test them further.<br/><br/>ITA’s tests were principally rigorous <a href="https://www.its-bearing.com/products/catalogue.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 112, 192); text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 112, 192);"><strong>bearing</strong></span></a> tests. Engineers ran the prototype turbochargers at top speed, and the Select-a-Seal gaskets did not leak.<br/><br/>Supercharged outboard engines with Select-a-Seal gaskets are already in production providing power, speed and environmental cleanliness in the form of zero leaks. These four-stroke powerhouses are now permitted on some waters where two-stroke engines have been banned for environmental reasons.</p>