Editing Talk:Head gasket

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==Graphite head gaskets==
I tend to disagree w/the idea that exposure to oil will degrade graphite. Graphite is carbon, carbon is not soluble in motor oil.--[[User:Cobalt327|Cobalt327]] 20:54, 25 April 2012
:[http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/2585/gasket_technology_the_science_of_sealing.aspx Here] is the source.--[[User:Silver Surfer|Silver Surfer]] 11:48, 3 May 2012
::The article states that graphite in gaskets "must be protected to withstand exposure to oil over the long term." Are graphite head gaskets not coated/protected, or are they ''bare'' graphite? My thoughts are the graphite itself is unaffected; it may the adhesive used to bond the graphite to the other components that is being affected by oil. And does the statement refer to head gaskets in particular or graphite gaskets in general? Valve cover, intake manifold, water pump and other applications were also mentioned.

::In any event, in that graphite head gaskets are currently being used or experimented with by some OMs and are also sold in the aftermarket (and haven't to the best of my knowledge come under attack for degrading in the presence of whatever oil they're in contact with ''when being used as a head gasket''), the comment may have been taken out of context. Speaking for myself here, I read the article as much as a warning about using graphite in head gaskets than as a shining endorsement of them, as you infer [[Head gasket#Graphite head gasket|here]]. If any head gasket was put in good light, IMO it was the MLS-types.--[[User:Cobalt327|Cobalt327]] 15:07, 3 May 2012 (MDT)

:::"Graphite is carbon, carbon is not soluble in motor oil."
:::Carbon has 4 electrons in its outer shell. It wants 8. It will either donate it's 4, or grab 4. So because it is represented as either +/-4 in a chemical equation, this makes it one of the most reactive and volatile elements. Motor oil has many different types of carbon molecules and other additives that will surely react with graphite. It is my understanding that there are several types of graphite head gaskets, bare, and layered with steel.--[[Silver Surfer|Silver Surfer]] 13:36, 11 May 2012 (MDT)

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::::If that is the case (that motor oil will "surely react with graphite"), and that reaction is such that a '''''head gasket''''' made of/with graphite would be adversely affected by exposure to motor oil during the expected lifespan of a "normal" head gasket, it seems to me that a graphite head gasket might not be such a great idea. So my question to you is, do you stand by your statement that graphite head gaskets "excel when used on aluminum heads with an iron block", and if you do, are you basing it on empirical evidence or "other" reports? If the source is "other" reports (and is different than the article you cited earlier), I'd appreciate it if you would supply a link- because frankly, I do not read into the Engine Builders article you cited that graphite head gaskets are anything more than a possible substitute for other gaskets that do the same job as well for less money w/the possible exceptions of applications not yet in service.--[[User:Cobalt327|Cobalt327]] 14:20, 11 May 2012 (MDT)

:::::The article has been edited to reflect what I believe best describes graphite head gaskets as far as their effectiveness at this point of their development. If info comes to light that changes this, either pro or con, the article can be updated to reflect this.--[[User:Cobalt327|Cobalt327]] 21:26, 21 May 2012 (MDT)