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Stainless steel gaskets are required in certain gas systems such as carbon monoxide, ozone, and trimethyl arsenic. Because SS gaskets are harder than nickel, the torque induced problems of sealing and galling are amplified. Due to the SS sealing problems, some companies have specified silver plated SS gaskets to reduce friction and galling. Recently these…

In the S.E.M. (top) the severe effects from over tightening on the sealing surfaces of a legacy face seal fitting are shown. In the S.E.M. (lower) using Omnisafe torque elimination, the seal area is not galled. One half turn past finger tight is a worst case scenario. At 5/8 turn past finger tight the gasket…

Metal gaskets under compression, along a torroidal interface, exhibit plastic and elastic deformation. The elastic deformation is the “spring back” in the gasket indentation that occurs when the fitting is demated. The plastic deformation is remaining the indentation left in the gasket. The elastic deformation is directly proportional to the plastic indention, (i.e. 10%). As…

This is the cross sectional view of the Omnisafe fitting at finger tight (click to enlarge). The gap between the torque eliminators is the same as the gasket thickness (.028”). If the gasket is missing, the torque eliminators bottom out into a “fail safe” mode. This prevents torroid to torroid contact and destruction. The fitting…

* taken at the point indicated by the red arrow on the first S.E.M.s After checking the nickel peaks on the bottom EDS we notice much higher nickel reading. This higher signal is from nickel particles that are embedded into the torroid of the gland from the galled nickel gasket during tightening of the fitting….

This is the equipment and procedure used to determine the quantity and size of the particles shed into the process stream, due to galling, as a legacy metal face seal fitting is tightened. Objectives Compare standard metal face seal fitting with the OmniSafe torque suppression fitting over the following criteria: Examine the sealing surfaces of…

This is the equipment and procedure used to determine the quantity and size of the particles shed into the process stream, due to galling, as a legacy metal face seal fitting is tightened. Objectives Compare standard metal face seal fitting with the OmniSafe torque suppression fitting over the following criteria: Examine the sealing surfaces of…

How much rotation is transferred to the components connected by a “VCR type”* metal face seal fitting as it is tightened with a nickel gasket? This data below shows that the relative rotation of the components ranges from 6.7 to 18.2 degrees. This rotation is based on the plating inside the female nut and the…

Mil Std 810E is designed to check the seal integrity of equipment under transportation shock & vibration. This study was performed by Applied Materials at Quanta Labs . The vibration phase was conducted for 3 hours which is designed to simulate 3000 miles of transportation. The fittings glands were clamped into the fixture before tighten…