I tried a novice mini TNW test. I found some of my new felt gasket with adhesive.

Using MAPP it took 1.5 seconds to melt everyting in site. I couldn't get a hold of the IR thermo quick enough to get a reading.

The result was burnt through the felt - adhesive evaporated. The gasket at MAPP heat turned into a hard black 'glob' (the scientific term).

The 'glob' looked like someone burning the end of a nylon rope. The burn charastic was not at all the same.

The heat punched holes through the gasket material causing the physical change to the felt - from a cloth type feel to a hard black 'glob'.

If I can get everyting together I will put some pictures up here in a little while.

Result was complete burn out. It makes me wonder if the ceramic is protecting the felt somewhat.

It was pretty difficult to get two pieces of gasket to fuse together.

It would seem it is not the adhesive failure, it is the failure of the gasket material at intense temps.

The folks that went with the Rutland changeout, probably the smart move.

I think I will leave the testing to TNW. My wife said I really burnt her fingers while she was holding the 4" piece of gasket in her bare hand. I had to keep telling her not to drop the gasket material.