How does the material selection of Spiral Wound Gaskets affect its sealing performance and temperature resistance?

In industrial applications, Spiral Wound Gaskets are widely used for sealing various equipment. Its main function is to prevent fluid leakage and withstand high pressure and high temperature environments. The choice of materials plays a vital role in the sealing performance and temperature resistance of Spiral Wound Gaskets. The following explores how material selection affects these two aspects of performance.

Influence of Materials
Metallic Materials: Spiral Wound Gaskets are usually made of metal strips and non-metallic materials wound alternately. The choice of metal materials directly affects its pressure bearing capacity and temperature resistance. Commonly used metal materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, etc.

Stainless steel: Stainless steel is widely used due to its excellent corrosion resistance and strength. 304 and 316 grades of stainless steel are suitable for use in various corrosive media and high temperature conditions, and can effectively prevent material fatigue and aging caused by high temperature.

Alloy steel: For applications with extreme temperature and pressure, alloy steels (such as Inconel or Monel) provide better strength and heat resistance. Its special alloy composition can maintain good strength and stability at high temperatures.

Non-metallic filling materials: Non-metallic materials are used for filling in Spiral Wound Gaskets to enhance sealing performance. Common non-metallic materials include asbestos, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), rubber and polyethylene.

PTFE: PTFE has excellent chemical stability and high temperature resistance, suitable for use in extreme chemical environments. Spiral Wound Gaskets using PTFE as a filling material can provide good sealing performance under high temperature and high pressure, especially suitable for handling corrosive media such as strong acids and alkalis.

Rubber: Although rubber is not as heat-resistant as metal or PTFE, its flexibility and sealing performance make it suitable for environments with lower temperatures and pressures. The choice of rubber should take into account specific working conditions to ensure a good sealing effect.

Sealing performance
The sealing performance of Spiral Wound Gaskets depends on the elasticity, compressibility and adaptability of the material on the sealing surface. The rigidity of metal materials combined with the flexibility of non-metallic materials can effectively fill the tiny gaps between contact surfaces, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage.

Elasticity: The elasticity of metal materials determines whether the gasket can return to its original shape after being compressed. Metal materials with good elasticity can maintain good sealing under high temperature and high pressure.

Compressibility: The compressibility of non-metallic materials affects the compression state of the gasket after installation. Proper compression can ensure close contact between the gasket and the flange surface, thereby improving the sealing effect.

Temperature resistance
The temperature resistance mainly depends on the heat resistance and thermal expansion coefficient of the material. In high temperature environments, the thermal stability of the material is crucial. The temperature resistance of different materials varies as follows:

Stainless steel: Stainless steel can maintain strength and shape stability at high temperatures, so it is often used in high-temperature steam, petrochemical and other fields.

PTFE: PTFE can work for a long time at high temperatures without degradation. Its temperature resistance range can reach 260°C, which is suitable for high temperature and corrosive environments.

Rubber: Rubber is prone to aging and loss of elasticity at high temperatures, so it is not suitable for high temperature applications. When selecting rubber materials, ensure that their temperature resistance meets actual working requirements.