Design method of enhancing the tightness of a spiral wound gasket with PTFE filling

Abstract

AbstractThe paper presents the experimental research results and numerical computations of two constructions of a spiral wound gasket with a PTFE filling. The first construction was a standard one in which the shape of the spiral’s windings in a cross section view resembles the shape of the letter ‘V.’ The second solution has an original, asymmetric shape of windings’ profile. Based on the vast experimental research tests, it was proved that the gasket with an asymmetric shape of windings is characterized with larger stiffness than the standard design, as well as increased tightness. Numerical calculations and a topography analysis of the contact surface of the gaskets showed that the asymmetric gasket under load is characterized with a larger effective contact surface when compared to the standard gasket. The gasket of an asymmetric construction can have a special application at small contact stress, which allows to avoid an excessive stress of flanges and bolts.