Spiral Wound Gasket Colour Code Chart

Two gaskets side by side in the store look identical: one may have a 304 winding, the other 316. That is why the colour code exists. The painted rim tells you the material without reading the stamp.

Two colours, two facts

• Outer rim colour: winding (metal strip) material
• Stripe on the rim: filler material

They are read together. A green rim with a grey stripe means a 316 stainless winding with graphite filler.

Winding material colours

Filler stripe colours

Colour alone is not enough

Colour gives a quick separation but is not proof on its own:

• Paint can rub off in transport
• Shades vary between manufacturers; yellow and gold, turquoise and green can be confused
• Colour tells you winding and filler only, not ring material, thickness or pressure class

So the marking should be read before installation: standard (ASME B16.20), manufacturer, winding and filler, size and class. If colour and marking disagree, the gasket should not be used.

See the spiral wound gasket guide for the full marking diagram.

Avoiding mix-ups in store

• Store gaskets by size and class in separate bins
• Keep packaging closed until installation; that is where the rim paint suffers most
• Never reuse a removed gasket, which also removes the mix-up risk
• In critical service, match the item against the certificate in the shipping file

See our gasket page and send your list through the enquiry form.

FAQ

What material is a green rimmed gasket?
The winding is 316 stainless. The stripe gives the filler; grey means graphite.

Is the colour code a standard?
It is a widely used convention, but final verification should come from the marking and the certificate.

Can a gasket with worn paint be used?
If the marking is legible and matches the certificate, yes; otherwise no.