Zippy -- regarding the material of the inside wire ring, it really doesn't matter if its copper or steel...as long as its pre-flattened...and ALL the Fel-Pro Performance designed head gaskets with the internal combustion ring eventually became pre-flattened in production. There is a science to all this in design features.... you can trust Fel-Pro. The Cometic MLS are fine, as well, but very expensive.

As for re-using any gasket, ever, the installer bares that burden and risk. Once the gasket becomes compressed, it will never re-seal as it originally did upon the first installment... regardless of gasket company, design, material, etc.