Designing a modern diesel engine presents many challenges for engineers. One of the biggest is making sure that each engine component is properly sealed during operation.

Head gaskets, which seal the engine cylinder head and block, are particularly challenging. First, they must be an exact thickness to allow oil and coolant to properly flow between the components—while at the same time preventing the two liquids from mixing or leaking into the combustion chamber. The gaskets must also be able to perform these tasks in a wide range of temperatures and withstand various loads while the engine is running.