FACE SEAL location

[lagpump]

hello,

there are 2 mating flanges. One is Iron flange, and the other is aluminum flange.
Under internal pressure of 500 psi, and temperature of 200 C, should I design the face seal gland on the iron flange or the aluminum one?

Thanks ahead.

Lagpump

 

[btrueblood]

Should you be using aluminum as a pressure containing structure at 400 F?

 

[lagpump]

Unfortunately, yes, we use aluminum flange with iron flange under 200C

 

[btrueblood]

I'd prefer the o-ring groove on the harder material, as a) it is less likely to get damaged, and b) the softer material can be machined flat fairly easily, but remachining a circular groove requires more time and effort.

 

[lagpump]

Thanks for your suggestion

 

[Cockroach]

I would tend to agree, put the male gland on the steel flange and have the aluminum piece compress into it using the torque from the bolting at the perimeter of the flanges. Big problem, excessive torque of the fasteners may tend to deform the aluminum flange, hence detract from the compression required to achieve the seal.

I think the face seal is probably not the best choice in this application, the high temperature application will tend to relieve compression since the fasteners will stretch. So torque specification will be a requirement in this application.

May I suggest a high durometer elastomer, something like 90/95. This has been my experience with blind flange applications during testing of ball valves. It is often difficult to achieve a seal and requires several hours of bolt torquing depending on the size of the flanges. I'm talking 48 inch here, so pretty beefy flanges.

Good luck with the application.

Kenneth J Hueston, PEng
Principal
Sturni-Hueston Engineering Inc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

 

[lagpump]

Thanks Hueston. I will look into this option further.