Abstract: A gasket comprising a central opening having a first diameter; an inner region adjacent to the central opening, the inner region having an approximately constant first axial thickness and a first radial length; an outer region adjacent to the inner region, the outer region having a second axial thickness and a second radial length, the second axial thickness being less than the first axial thickness, and the second radial length being no more than about thrice the first radial length; and wherein the gasket is constructed from an elastomeric material. The gasket may be used in a pipe joint including at least one threaded pipe flange joined to another pipe flange.