Application of Advanced Finite Element Techniques to the Design and Development of Automotive Gaskets

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how advanced predictive analysis techniques are playing a key role in the design and development of automotive gaskets.

Several 2D modeling techniques are demonstrated to highlight how this type of analysis can help in the simultaneous design of gasket features and the associated tooling and manufacturing procedures.

The use of 3D Finite Element (FE) analyses in the evaluation of the sealed system is the most powerful predictive tool available to the gasket engineer and engine designer alike. The techniques shown here illustrate their invaluable use in predicting fundamental system design parameters, such as the sealing pressure distribution over the gasket and engine structure deformation, in particular bore distortion.