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Gaskets for the internal combustion engine are highly engineered and rigorously tested products. Their degree of sophistication has largely followed the degree of sophistication inherent in the engine. This paper presents a chronological history of the cylinder head gasket as it changed relative to engine changes. Depicted is the general theory of bolted joint sealing as related to head gaskets. The remaining engine gaskets are discussed in regard to their basic construction and material content. An introduction of the chemical gaskets used in internal combustion engines is also included.

The cylinder head gasketing of today's internal combustion engines is highly complex and becoming even more so as the engines are being made lighter while developing higher outputs. Delicate stress distribution balancing between the combustion and liquid sealing components is required. Rigorous testing, both static and dynamic, is required to insure long term, high performance sealing. Specialized test equipment and instrumentation is utilized during this testing. This paper presents some of the techniques used in the design of cylinder head gaskets. It also depicts some of the specific tests that are conducted and test results that are required before the gaskets are released to production.

Advances in instrumentation, equipment, and techniques now allow a more in-depth analysis of cylinder head motions during internal combustion engine operation. Extensive measurements of these motions were taken on a specific bimetal engine. These measurements were taken during both actual and simulated engine operations. Capacitance probes and eddy current sensors were used to measure large scale motion. The eddy current sensors were also used to measure small scale or micro motion. The results of these measurements are discussed.

THERE ARE A VARIETY of combustion seal designs used throughout the world for sealing the combustion gases of internal combustion engines. This paper describes a number of the designs and discusses the sealing theory inherent in them. Static and dynamic physical properties as related to sealing performance are discussed.