ISO 4633 - What requirements should rubber gaskets for pipelines meet?

Rubber gaskets are specially designed elements made of elastomeric materials that are intended to provide a tight seal in piping systems. They are used in water and sewage installations to prevent leakage of fluids and the penetration of contaminants from the outside into the system.

The choice of appropriate rubber gaskets should be tailored to environmental conditions, including pressure, temperature fluctuations, chemical presence, vibrations, or mechanical forces. Rubber gaskets for pipelines must meet the requirements standardized in ISO 4633:2023. This standard precisely defines the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties that gaskets must meet.

What is ISO 4633:2023 standard?

ISO 4633:2023 standard specifies requirements for materials used in vulcanized rubber gaskets in applications such as:

• drinking water installations (up to 50°C);
• drainage, sewerage, and rainwater systems (continuous flow up to 45°C and intermittent flow up to 95°C).

The standard applies to piping systems made of iron, steel, clay, concrete, reinforced concrete, plastics, and glass fiber-reinforced plastics. It is applicable to both composite rubber gasket elements (made from a combination of rubber with another material) and non-composite elements (made from a single type of rubber).

What requirements should rubber gaskets for pipelines meet according to ISO 4633?

Rubber gaskets used in piping systems, according to the requirements of ISO 4633, must be made of materials that do not react with water, do not contaminate it, or degrade its quality. This means that the rubber compound used cannot contain any substances that could negatively affect the transported fluid or have a harmful effect on the installation components (pipe joints, pipes, sealing rings, fittings).

As mentioned earlier, the compliance assessment of a product with the ISO 4633:2023 standard covers both the physical and chemical properties of the material and its impact on the transported medium. Below are some of the key requirements that a rubber gasket must meet:

• Water quality impact - in the case of applications with cold water, the material must not degrade its quality under operating conditions. Furthermore, the rubber compound composition must comply with the applicable national sanitary regulations at the place of product use.
• Microbiological resistance - if required, the gasket material should be resistant to microbiological degradation, ensuring longer lifespan and proper, trouble-free system operation. The material must comply with national standards.
• Dimensional tolerances - gasket dimensions must fall within acceptable limits determined based on appropriate tolerance classes according to ISO 3302-1, directly affecting proper gasket fit and tightness of the connection.
• Defects and imperfections - every product must be free from defects and imperfections (e.g., cracks) that could negatively affect the proper functioning of the seal. The surface appearance evaluation should comply with ISO 9691 standard.

ISO 4633 standard also requires rubber gaskets to exhibit proper hardness, tensile strength, and elongation at break. The material should resist permanent deformation under compression at temperatures of +23°C and +70°C and maintain its elasticity at low temperatures down to -10°C.

Material's thermal aging, stress relaxation under compression, ozone resistance, and resistance to aggressive media are also subject to evaluation (rubber gaskets in sewage systems are exposed to contact with hydrogen sulfide, detergents, and chemicals).

Where can I buy rubber gaskets compliant with ISO 4633 standard?

If you are looking for high-quality rubber gaskets for pipelines designed for water supply, sewage disposal, and drainage systems, we invite you to check out our Power Rubber store.

We offer a wide range of rubber gaskets tailored to specific usage conditions. They meet stringent quality standards for water and sewage installations. The products are available in various dimensions and hardness levels, with the possibility of fulfilling custom orders based on specific customer requirements.

A properly selected gasket ensures reliable and durable sealing, as well as trouble-free operation of piping systems. Rubber gaskets from Power Rubber ensure sanitary safety of drinking water and meet requirements in terms of mechanical parameters, durability, and chemical resistance.

Feel free to contact us at: +48 222 924 024 or +48 505 16 03 03, via email (power|powerrubber.com| |Power|PowerRubber.com), or through our contact form.

We are happy to assist you in choosing the right solution for your installation.