A gasket for preventing separation of interconnected pipes including a compressible body having a plurality of metal segments partially embedded therein. Each of the metal segments includes an inner surface having at least one tooth configured for engaging a spigot end of a pipe and an outer surface having an arm with a substantially flat portion arranged adjacent to a forward section of a retainer groove of the gasket, the substantially flat portion being configured for displacing the segment radially and axially upon insertion of the spigot end into a bell end of the other pipe thereby decreasing the spigot insertion force required to seat the spigot end within the bell end and the gasket.