The easy answer to this blog post title would be for us to say opt for a “spiral wound gasket,” however, there is more to it than this, and understanding material selection, filler choice, and more is vital to ensuring the safety and integrity of systems.
The media hydrogen has incredibly unique chemical and physical properties, making it a challenging medium in industrial applications to contain and prevent leaks from escaping.
This makes choosing the right gasket to provide the most appropriate sealing solution critical.
In this post, we look at some of the criteria surrounding hydrogen gasket selection and areas to examine in more detail.
Spiral wound gasket
Gaskets are the most practical, cost-effective solution to provide a system or application with a robust seal, with all sealing gaskets needing to be able to maintain their shape under the most extreme conditions and meet relevant safety standards and guidelines.
However, due to the variety of gaskets available, it’s essential that the right gasket is chosen, especially when working with the hydrogen media.
For hydrogen applications, you will require a gasket that:
- Meets specific material grades
- Offers exceptional tightness
- Can offer consistently high levels of fire safety
- Provides electrical conductivity and,
- Must include anti-static properties.
Hydrogen fuel gaskets
Hydrogen is a small and light element, which can make it difficult to seal, as we find that this medium is able to permeate through a lot of materials and cause degradation in others.
It is also extremely reactive, highly explosive, and again, contains the smallest of molecules.
Hydrogen application areas to check when making a gasket material selection include:
Material compatibility. Not all materials are suitable and compatible with each other. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each gasket material type and match these with the application material.
Check pressure and temperature requirements, as the gasket must be able to maintain its sealing ability during these fluctuations.
Check chemical requirements and resistance to ensure the correct choice of elastomer/compound for the intended application.
Design and structure – the most suitable hydrogen gaskets are those that have a gasket spiral with a graphite filler or metal core gaskets, as they offer strength and reliability.
Hydrogen-compatible gaskets
Metal gaskets – this type of gasket is often preferred for high-pressure hydrogen applications as it is durable and resistant to permeation. Gasket material here will consist of stainless steel or nickel alloys.
Non-metallic spiral wound gaskets – most suitable for lower pressure applications due to the flexibility the gasket can provide, alongside the chemical resistance ability. These types of gaskets are also able to handle cold temperatures that you will sometimes find in hydrogen applications.
A spiral wound gasket or a ring joint gasket are the most common types of gaskets in high-pressure applications, as they can both handle mechanical stress and fluctuations in temperature. Spiral wound gaskets also have good recovery, are suitable for compression, and have a long life span.
PTFE and graphite materials are also a good selection for cryogenic applications; they offer high levels of chemical compatibility and resistance and have a low coefficient of friction (this is good when chemical reactivity is a concern). PTFE gaskets can also offer stability under low seating stress.
FKM, also known as Viton, is suitable due to its chemical resistance and wide temperature range.
EPDM is suitable due to its resistance to ozone, weather, and ageing; however, it’s important to note that this material is less resistant to oils and fuels.
Flexible graphite is suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure applications. It can also handle aggressive substances with ease, as well as permeable gases and liquids.
Kammprofile gaskets offer high resilience, making them good for high-pressure applications.
Fibre sheet gaskets are a great choice when dealing with flange unevenness due to their adaptability. They also offer mechanical stability and provide moderate chemical resistance.
Note: It is also important, as well as choosing the right gasket for your application, to follow all installation requirements perfectly. The right installation is essential to ensure that the seal is tightly fit, the torque is correct, and the bolt fittings are intact.
Spiral wound gaskets UK
We’re pleased to offer a range of spiral wound gaskets suitable for various applications, hydrogen systems included.
All of our stock ranges are of the highest quality, are stamped for reference, and meet all safety standards and regulations.
Our team is also experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to seals and gaskets, and we are on hand to answer your questions, providing you with the best advice and the most suitable solution for your application.
To find out more about the seals we have available, check out our pages online. To speak to a member of our team, call 01535 274 776.
