Assembling packaging with asparagus
Stud gaskets are a set of two mechanical assemblies made up of two flanges, fasteners (studs, nuts and washers) and a gasket in between. They are designed to house or allow the transport of a service fluid in a pipe or container, ensuring the tightness of the system. In their most practical form, flanges allow the joining of pipes with equipment (pumps, heat exchangers, tanks, etc.) or accessories (elbows, valves, etc.).
The principle of a flanged joint is based on the load applied to the studs, which causes the sealing element (gasket, ring joint, among others) to flow within the macroscopic and microscopic imperfections of the flange. Thanks to this, the combination between the contact tension and the densification of the sealing material is achieved, which prevents the escape of the fluid inside the container.
The advantage of flanged joints lies in the fact that because they are joined with fasteners (studs, bolts), they allow quick assembly and disassembly when carrying out repairs or maintenance.
Main components of a packaging with asparagus
Every bolted gasket consists of three fundamental elements:
- Flanges.
- Sealing element.
- Bolts, nuts and washers.
To understand the integrity of packaging it is important to know what each of these elements represents; They will be key when any problem occurs in the flanged joint.
Common causes of leaks in gaskets with studs
The main causes of leaks in stud joints are listed below:
- Flange misalignment (12%).
- Loose bolts (15%).
- Defective packaging (22%).
- Damaged flange (20%).
- Incorrect installation (31%).
As indicated above, damaged components, misaligned equipment, and improper gasket assembly cause sealing failures. Despite these failures, the human factor continues to be the main cause of leaks. The most common situations that arise due to improper personnel practice are named below:
- Irregular tension in the studs or bolts.
- Incorrect alignment of the flanges.
- Incorrectly centered gaskets.
- Dirty or damaged flange faces.
- Excessive loads on the piping system.
- Thermal shock.
- Incorrect size and/or type of packaging.
- High levels of vibration.
- Invalid tensioning values.
- Valves in incorrect position after maintenance.
- Breakage of the insulation system.
Consequences of leaks in flanged gaskets with studs
Leaks through flanged joints in industrial facilities generate high impacts; When packaging does not have good integrity, the rest of the assets around it are compromised. This is why the packaging designer must achieve a safe, airtight and maintenance-free design. If you do not meet some of these requirements, it is possible that the packaging will not work optimally, bringing with it unwanted events.
Considerations to take into account when installing a gasket
The following are aspects to consider when installing a gasket:
- A lubricant appropriate to the type of material of the stud or bolt must be applied.
- The correct load must be applied to the stud or bolt.
- It should be ensured that the face of the flange is clean, undamaged and with a correct surface finish for the selected packaging.
- There must be flatness on the faces of the flange.
- There must be correct alignment.
- The studs or bolts must be in good condition.
- A correct tightening sequence must be used.
Conclusions
Flanged packaging is a vital element in every industrial plant. The use of good practices for their management is the best way to avoid the appearance of leaks, which can be harmful to the personnel who are exposed and to the environment around them.