Combined Statistical-Mechanical Characterization of a Next Generation Textured PTFE for Extreme Environments

Pressurized vessels that transfer media from one location to another often contain a bolted connection. Gaskets are essential for these systems since they confer high levels of leak mitigation across of range of operating environments (i.e., internal pressure and temperature). The balance of both sealability and compressibility must be displayed in candidate gasket materials to be subjected to aggressive operating conditions. Historically, thin gauge gasket (i.e., 1/16” thick) confer high sealability while thick gaskets offer superior compressibility (i.e., 1/8”). Fabricated with skive cut, ceramic particle-reinforced PTFE, these materials display linear viscoelastic behavior that allow consolidation to occur. For example, GYLON® 3504 is filled with Aluminosilicate Microspheres, GYLON®3510 is filled with barium sulfate, respectively, to efficiently fill crevices along the surfaces of the flange. Novel textured PTFE gasket (3504 EPX and 3510 EPX) have been developed to simultaneously confer sealability and compressibility compared to flat products. A design of experiments (DoE) approach is applied to characterize the factors that influence load relaxation responses of the both candidate textured PTFE (dual-face honeycomb) and existing (flat) gasket styles. Using an instrumented test platform analyzed. A new parameter is presented to quantify gasket efficiency. The collection of efficiency measurement methods and approach to re-torque optimization convey a novel framework that designers can invoke to facilitate improved flange performance.