Spiral-wound gaskets are considered to be the safest type of gasket available because of their sturdy construction. They often consist of a winding material body with metal inner and outer rings, which contain filler material at the inside and outside diameter.

Turbulence
The inner ring of a spiral-wound gasket is designed to bring the gasket flush with the pipe bore to which it is attached and so prevent local instability, or turbulence, in the liquid or gas being carried. The inner ring also protects the spiral from attack by corrosive chemicals.

Blowout
The inner ring also prevents the blowout of the gasket material, which can be a problem with gaskets made from sheet material. Spiral-wound gaskets of this type are typically used in petrochemical and engineering industries, where they provide reliable, critical sealing under a variety of difficult conditions.

Operating Range
Spiral-wound gaskets with an inner ring can typically be used to seal fluid pressures up to 3,500 pounds per square inch (psi) or more. They can operate over a wide range of temperature, from below -300 degrees Fahrenheit to above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.