Abstract: An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.

Abstract: An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.

Abstract: Various gasket release agents and methods of providing and using the same are provided with a gasket body having a release agent coating on one or more surfaces that contact mating surfaces of a joining assembly. The coating may be provided as a mixture of constituents including hexagonal boron nitride. Other constituents may include a release agent and a binding material that enhances the adhesion of the release agent to the gasket body surfaces. A binding material may include, for example, organic or inorganic materials. Surfactants, in some embodiments, may be added to a gasket release agent dispersion in addition to binder materials and fillers.