Gasket leaks are a common problem in industrial and automotive systems, with a faulty or poorly fitted gasket or wrong gasket material selected, largely the two main reasons behind why there is a leak.
The main reason for using a gasket is to seal the gap between two mating surfaces and prevent liquids or gases from escaping from the application or system.
Why?
Leaks can cause significant damage and pose serious safety risks to businesses. Leaks also cause downtime and cost money and resources.
This makes it vital to understand how to troubleshoot a gasket in order to keep an application and system up and running, and most importantly, safe.
In this post, we look at gasket leak detection and spiral wound gasket solutions to support your everyday practice. metal gaskets
Flange leaking
Most people working in large piping systems and applications will have experienced a leaking connection at some point. Often, this is caused by too much or too little compression, or by the wrong gasket material, making it unsuitable for providing a tight seal.
It’s essential to choose the right gasket spiral for the intended application, which means checking the temperature range, the media the gasket seals are exposed to, pressure fluctuations, and more, to understand what the gasket can withstand.
We also use the compressive load calculations to determine whether rubber (PTFE) gaskets (low load requirements) are most suitable or metal gaskets (high load requirements).
As a guideline:
- 600 to 1200 psi rubber gaskets will provide an adequate seal.
- At pressures below 600 psi, special spiral-wound gaskets will be required to provide a tight, secure seal.
- Above 1200 psi, standard PTFE will be adequate.
How to fix a leaking gasket
- Identify the location of the leak.
- Check the applications’ operating conditions.
- Remove and inspect the gasket, checking for any signs of visible damage.
- Check how the gasket has been installed.
- Examine the mating surfaces for any irregularities.
It’s also important to regularly maintain and inspect seals and gaskets to ensure they continue to provide an adequate sealing solution.
Troubleshooting gasket problems
If you detect a leak, it’s important that the first step you take is to shut the system down.
From here, you will need to drain any fluid and reduce the pressure.
All nuts, bolts, and washers must be removed from the surrounding area where the leak is, allowing you to gain access to the gasket itself.
Now, the gasket can be removed and examined in detail to get to the reason for the leak. This is an important part of understanding a gasket leak, as it’s essential to understand why the gasket is failing in order to avoid it from happening again.
When examining the gasket check:
Are there any physical signs of damage to the spiral wound gasket, i.e., erosion or degradation? What is the condition of the gasket material? Can it not withstand the chemicals it is being exposed to? Are there any signs of swelling, cracking, hardening, or deterioration? Any of these elements can signify that the gasket material is not suitable for the application.
What is the shape of the gasket and its dimensions? If the gasket is misshapen, then this could indicate that it is not capable of bearing the load it is being placed under. In these cases, opting for a denser gasket material may be a better choice.
Is the circumference of the gasket misshapen? This can show that the mechanical load is not evenly distributed and is causing distortion. It can also highlight that the flange face is uneven or warped. In these cases, ensure proper installation including correct bolt torque.
Make sure to check the sealing surface for any irregularities. Are there any visible gaps or loose bolts? This could highlight that the bolts have not been tightened enough or that the gasket has not been fully compressed. However, it is also important not to exceed the maximum torque and ensure correct installation.
Check the gasket’s thickness. Is it right/suitable? And how does this compare to the compression the gasket is placed under? If the gasket is unevenly compressed, this can indicate improper installation. Has the gasket lost elasticity over time? This can be shown as the gasket will remain compressed when removed.
Spiral wound gaskets UK
Understanding why gasket leaking occurs can help you save money, time, and damage to equipment and improve safety.
This means it is vital that you choose the right gasket for the service conditions it will be exposed to, install the gasket appropriately and within the specified torque guidelines, and maintain seals and gaskets regularly to ensure ongoing high performance.
At Specialist Sealing Products, we help customers choose the right sealing solution for their applications. Providing high-quality seals and gaskets, we offer a range of material types to suit various applications across different industries.
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