The cylinder gasket is a sealing element between the top surface of the engine body and the bottom surface of the cylinder head. Its function is to keep the cylinder sealed without air leakage, and to keep coolant and oil flowing from the engine body to the cylinder head without air leakage. The cylinder head gasket is subjected to pressure when tightening the cylinder head bolts and is subjected to the high temperature and pressure of the combustion gases inside the cylinder, as well as corrosion from oil and coolant.
The cylinder gasket should have sufficient strength and should be resistant to pressure, heat, and corrosion. In addition, it is necessary to have some elasticity to compensate for the roughness and unevenness of the top of the body and the bottom of the cylinder head, as well as the gas force deformation of the cylinder head during engine operation.