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IsoCore Flange Isolation

TM

Gaskets and Kits

Cost Effective Alternative to Neoprene Coated Phenolic Gaskets

www.pikotek.com
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Pikotek is a name synonymous with quality and high reliability when it comes to electrical flange
G a s k e t

isolation gaskets. Our gaskets and insulating kits are designed to operate in the most demanding applications
found throughout the world without the worry of breaking, leaking or shorting. In addition to our line of high
pressure, very critical service insulating gaskets (VCS) Pikotek created the IsoCoreTM, a highly reliable cost
effective alternative to conventional insulating gaskets and kits for non-critical, low pressure applications.

The IsoCoreTM insulating gasket is manufactured from Neoprene coated glass-reinforced epoxy (NEMA grade
G-10) in place of the failure prone conventional phenolic reinforcing material. Glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE)
is many times stronger than conventional paper grade or fabric-reinforced phenolic. The result is that
the IsoCoreTM is an economical, low pressure insulating gasket that is much stronger in compression, much
more resistant to stress fractures and breakage and thus, much more reliable than conventional phenolic
insulating gaskets.

In addition to being much stronger, the IsoCore gasket has a significantly lower fluid/gas absorption factor
and higher dielectric strength than phenolic materials (see chart on back page). This provides increased elec-
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trical insulation with less fluid migration through the central gasket material, which can ultimately result in
shorting and loss of tensile strength. Finally, the IsoCoreTM gasket uses a thicker layer of facing Neoprene
(1/16) than do conventional coated insulating gaskets. This results in lower initial seating stress, more seal-
ing forgiveness and more resistance to leaks caused by pressure cycling, thermal cycling and/or vibration.

ISOCORE PRIMARY FEATURES

AND BENEFITS INCLUDE:
HIGH RELIABILITY SEALING AT
LOW PRESSURE (UP TO 750 PSIG)

SUPERIOR ELECTRICAL ISOLATION

1/32 (.8mm) COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE

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Neoprene Face TO PHENOLIC OR INFERIOR

NON-REINFORCED SHEET
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GASKET MATERIALS

HIGH COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

GLASS-REINFORCED EPOXY
ISOLATING CORE

GRE WASHERS MADE OF THE SAME

HIGH COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
1/16 (1.6mm) MATERIAL FOR ADDED RELIABILITY
NEMA Grade G-10
Glass-reinforced DOUBLE WASHER KITS PROVIDE
Epoxy Core ADDED ASSURANCE FOR
ELECTRICAL ISOLATION WITH
NO SHORTING

NO PHENOLIC OR POLYPRO-
PYLENE MATERIAL USED

1/8 (.125 OR 3.2MM) CROSS

SECTION WITH 1/16 GRE CORE

1/32 (.031 OR .8MM) THICK

NEOPRENE FACING MATERIAL

IsoCore Flange Gasket TM

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WHY THE ISOCORETM IS SUPERIOR TO

CONVENTIONAL INSULATING GASKETS:
Pikotek products are well known for their high reliability, superior sealing characteristics and
outstanding electrical insulation properties. We created this reputation by supplying only
superior materials in engineered products. However, for those cases where economics prohibit specifying

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engineered products, especially in non-critical service
applications (e.g. low pressure and/or non-aggressive
media), Pikotek created the IsoCoreTM, a cost effective
insulating gasket made with superior grade materials.
The IsoCore bridges the gap between our more
sophisticated VCS/PGE gaskets and conventional
neoprene coated phenolic or cut sheet gaskets with
phenolic washers and polypropylene sleeves. The Photo showing the G-10 GRE core of the
TM IsoCoreTM, which is many times stronger and
IsoCore was designed to provide operational reliability more reliable than conventional materials.
in an economical, cost effective package.

As with our other products, the IsoCoreTM uses only materials that will perform reliably over a
wide range of conditions. The GRE center of the IsoCoreTM is far stronger and much more resilient

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than traditional materials. Pikotek only uses GRE insulating washers and either Mylar or GRE sleeves,
which have a far greater reliability than conventional materials. Inferior materials such as phenolic, Minlon

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or polypropylene are subject to crushing, cracking, breaking and thread pinch, which compromise product
integrity, create leaks and result in electrical shorting. The IsoCoreTM eliminates these problems in an
affordable package.

INSULATING SLEEVE OPTIONS

IsoCoreTM insulating kits come standard with cost effective Mylar sleeves for insulting the stud bolts.
Mylar is superior to either phenolic or polypropylene which is the standard material in most conventional
insulating kits. If requested, GRE (Glass-Reinforced Epoxy) sleeves can be supplied and are the best
solution for all around reliability. These sleeves are extremely strong and can withstand significantly
more abuse and harsh conditions than any other sleeve material available. Both Mylar and GRE offer
excellent resistance to crushing, cracking, breaking and thread pinch compared to other sleeve materials.

WASHERS
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The insulating washers electrically insulate the nuts from the
rest of the flange assembly. Pikotek only offers insulating
washers made from GRE. These washers must withstand the
full compressive force of the nuts when the flange is made up
or electrical insulation will be lost. Pikotek GRE washers
have a compressive strength of 60,000 psi. These washers will
continue to insulate long after inferior materials such as paper
grade phenolic, which has a compressive strength of only 12,000
psi (comparable to plywood), have cracked, broken and failed.
Steel washers are used to prevent the twisting action of the nuts
from scarring or gouging the insulating washers. Pikoteks standard insulating kit uses high-strength zinc
plated 1050 steel washers, which have excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. For special
situations, other steel washer types such as stainless steel or Teflon coated carbon steel are available.
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IsoCore Flange Isolation

TM

Gaskets and Kits

The key to the IsoCores reliability is the GRE electrically insulating gasket core. The difference
between glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) and phenolic is summarized below:

PROPERTIES GRE (GRADE G-10) PHENOLIC (LINEN GRADE)

Compressive Strength 60,000 psi 25,000 psi
Flexural Strength 60,000 psi 22,500 psi
Tensile Strength 50,000 psi 20,000 psi
Shear Strength 22,000 psi 10,000 psi
Impact Strength 14-ft-lbs/inch 1.2 ft-lbs/inch
Dielectric Strength 750-800 vpm 500 vpm
Insulation Resistance 200,000 Meg ohms 40,000 Meg ohms
Temperature Range -100 F to +300 F -50 F to + 220 F
Water Absorption . 05% 1.6%

ISOCORETM ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS

Cost effective highly reliable alternative to conventional insulating gaskets and kits
High compressive strength gasket core results in less breakage and increased reliability
Thicker facing material provides enhanced sealing on older flanges
Full-length sleeves are designed to fit inside of washers and seal out moisture
GRE washers made of high compressive strength material for added reliability
Mylar sleeves standard with GRE available for even greater reliability against mishandling
No phenolic or polypropylene materials
Double washer sets provide added assurance for electrical insulation
Metal washers are either high-strength, zinc-plated carbon steel or stainless steel
Manufactured to compliment the field proven Pikotek line of flange isolation kits
Available in full face (type E) or raised face (type F)
Meets all low pressure flange specifications (i.e. ANSI, AWWA, DIN, etc.)

Pikotek World Headquarters: Represented By:

P.O. Box 260438
12980 West Cedar Drive
Lakewood, Colorado 80226
USA
tel: (303) 988.1242
fax: (303) 988.1922
e-mail: sales@pikotek.com
www.pikotek.com

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