Engine head gasket

Engine Head Gasket

The engine head gasket (professionally known as the cylinder head gasket) is a critical sealing element between the engine cylinder block and cylinder head. It fills the microscopic gaps between the two surfaces, preventing leakage of high-pressure gas, lubricating oil, and coolant, and ensuring a stable operating environment within the engine. It dynamically seals the natural unevenness of the cylinder head-to-cylinder interface. The gasket elastically deforms to fill the gaps, creating a triple-sealing barrier: it isolates the high-pressure gases in the combustion chamber, preventing cylinder leakage and power loss; it blocks oil passages, preventing lubrication failure and mechanical wear; and it maintains the integrity of the coolant circulation loop, preventing coolant from seeping into the cylinder or oil passages. It must be pressure- and temperature-resistant, withstanding the shock of gas explosions and the stress of thermal cycling. The material must exhibit high resilience and creep resistance.