Inflatable seals and gaskets have proven to be very useful for many industrial sealings as they are flexible and functional in nature. Usually fabricated from rubber extrusions, Inflatable seal and gaskets offer an adjustable and reliable seal for a wide variety of machinery and equipment. What are the tips and tricks to ensure that your inflatable seal or gasket will be of best help for your purposes? Here’s an article that explores the most important tips for following the right inflatable seal or gasket for your requirements, thereby optimising performance and lifespan.
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Understanding Inflatable Seals and Gaskets
Indeed, before the selection procedure, an insight into what inflatable seals and gaskets are and how they work is important. Simply stated, these members are primarily meant to create a tight seal across two surfaces by inflating with air or another medium. Once deflated, they will open and close the access points of doors, hatches, and many others easily. The inflatability and deflate ability, especially, make it useful when such a variable seal condition is needed in an application.
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Environmental Considerations
Environmental conditions where the inflatable seal or gasket will be used are a basic consideration. Various materials and designs of seals will be better suited to different conditions. Consider the temperature range that your application will be exposed to. Do you expect it to be exposed to both high and low temperatures? If so, assure that the seal will accept this temperature range. Chemical exposure will also be encountered. If chemicals could potentially come into contact with the seal, you need to assure appropriate resistance from the material. Moisture Level: Moisture levels also need to be considered. In a wet environment, you will require a seal that does not degrade with moisture and does not lose its effectiveness.
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Pressure Requirements
How much pressure your inflatable seal or gasket must withstand is of critical concern. You’ll also be required to indicate the maximum inflation pressure, that is, the highest pressure the seal has to resist. Don’t forget to take into account any forces thrust upon the seal from the outside. Yet another potential aspect to consider is cycling frequency—if the seal will be inflated and deflated often enough, use a cycle-resistant version.
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Size and Shape Concerns
You will find different sizes and shapes of seals and inflatable gaskets to cater to specific applications. The cross-section profiles must match your sealing surface geometry. Then, you should adjust the length and diameter of the seal to your specific application. If nothing else fits, you might opt for Rubber Extrusions that could provide an ideal fit for the specific application.
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Rubber Compounds
The material for your inflatable seal or gasket is very important in its service life and performance. Rubber compounds exhibit a number of desirable properties. Silicone has high temperature and flexibility resistance. EPDM displays good weather and ozone resistance. Nitrile (NBR) is known to be ideal for oil and fuel applications. Neoprene exhibits good chemical and weather resistance.
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Fabric Reinforcement
Where enhanced strength is required, inflatable seals may be reinforced with fabric. Nylon is reported to have excellent tensile strength, while polyester has good dimensional stability. Where extreme strength is an absolute necessity, Kevlar is available.
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Coatings
Certain applications would be beneficial with special coatings applied over or impregnated within the inflatable seal or gasket. PTFE enhances chemical resistance and reduces friction. Antimicrobial coatings should be considered for food processing or medical applications.
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Inflation Method
Choose appropriate inflation for your intended application. Air inflation is the most common and widely applicable type of inflation. Liquid inflation affords incompressibility and will probably be useful in certain circumstances. Gas inflation is reserved for those applications that have particular requirements from the gas.
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Sealing Surface
Consider the surface against which the inflatable seal will press. A smoother surface will usually seal better. Ensure the seal material is compatible with the sealing surface. If the seal will have frequent contacts, choose a design that minimises wear.
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Retention Method
Identify how the inflatable seal or gasket will be restrained in place. Mechanical fasteners are acceptable for seals that are designed to be removable. Adhesive bonding is an appropriate permanent means of fixing. Some seals may be part of the integral design that includes a seal as a component of the overall structure.
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Pressure Testing
Before making your final choice, the inflatable seal or gasket should be tested under conditions that would closely approximate its expected service. Ensure that the seal will maintain the needed pressure over time. To confirm that the seal retains pressure with minimal leakage, you may also perform a static pressure test. Dynamic pressure can be used to confirm performance with inflation and deflation cycles.
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Cycle Testing
For operation at a cyclic frequency, durability testing is required for frequent actuation in an application. Test by subjecting the seal to repeated cycles of inflation and deflation in order to establish longevity. Ensure that the seal resists fatigue, as its ability to maintain performance over time does not diminish. Monitor for signs of wear, material degradation, or loss of elasticity. Record the number of cycles completed before failure or significant performance drop. This data will help determine the seal’s expected lifespan and maintenance intervals in real-world applications.
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Environmental Testing
Test under environmental conditions where it is expected to actually be used. Test the seal over its operating temperature range through temperature cycling. If appropriate, expose to relevant chemicals for chemical compatibility. Additionally, consider subjecting the seal to UV radiation, humidity variations, and pressure fluctuations that mimic its intended environment. Assess the seal’s performance in the presence of contaminants such as dust, debris, or fluids it may encounter. Conduct accelerated ageing tests to predict long-term behaviour and potential degradation mechanisms under various environmental stressors.
Conclusion
Inflatable seal or gasket selection is critical to optimal application performance. You will be able to choose the right seal with excellent service and longevity if you consider environmental conditions, pressure requirements, material properties, and design elements. Before installing, make sure you test the seal and maintain it properly so that it can provide the best possible lifespan. With a good-quality inflatable seal or gasket, you can achieve good sealing performance for a wide range of industrial applications.
