Session: CT-03-01 Leak Tightness and Fugitive Emissions

Paper Number: 105735

105735 - How to Qualify Gaskets for Low Stress Flanges 

Many applications use cast-iron, glass lined, or fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) flanges. These flanges usually have limitations with the amount of clamp load that could be generated and require special gaskets that have a low seating stress. There are variety of these gaskets in market that have validated its design through standard testing method such as DIN EN 13555, and ASTM F2836-18, Room Temperature Tightness test (ROTT). However, these standards compress the gaskets many times (10x+) beyond the limited maximum allowable clamping load of these flanges.  The concern has been raised concerning if the test method might not be applicable to the real-world conditions, as the gasket stresses are so much higher.

By reviewing ASME Section X - “fiber‐reinforced plastic pressure vessels”,  and ASTM D5421 - "Standard Specification for Contact Molded "Fiberglass" (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Resin) Flanges", we have come up with our low-stress-gasket leakage test by modifying the test based on the standard EN 13555 standard leakage test, with applying  20 percent of the standard loads required in each step, and adjusted the test pressure to the common recommended maximum pressure for FRP flanges, of  20MPa. 

The paper will provide end-users with the validation to choose the modified test method and show the comparison on the leakage performances as it pertains to low-stress-gasket applications.

Key Words: Tightness, Cast Iron, Glass Lined, Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic, Low-Stress-Gasket, Clamp Load.

Presenting Author: CUONG PHAN LAMONS

Presenting Author Biography: Cuong Phan, Senior Application Engineer working at Lamons Manufacturing and Service Co.
Cuong holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His 10+ years of experience developing and supporting technical solutions using gaskets, bolting, and hoses products have lead to multiple patterns of gasket developments and designs. His experience is inclusive of 4 years developing and managing restructured filed PTFE sheet gasket material production.

Authors:

CUONG PHAN LAMONS
Dale Norman Lamons Manufacturing and Services Co.