Analysis of Sealing Performance of Metal B-ring Self-Tightening Structure

Abstract

Process industries often use B-ring self-tightening sealing structures and rely on interference assembly to meet the initial sealing requirements. Therefore, determining reasonable B-ring material, size and interference is crucial to ensure the sealing performance of the structure. In this paper, based on elastic deformation analysis, the deformation co-ordination equation of a B-ring sealing structure was established, and a sealing contact pressure calculation formula was obtained, with discussion of the main factors affecting sealing performance. With the finite element method, transient temperature field analysis was carried out for startup and shutdown load cases, and contact analysis was carried out for interference assembly, startup and shutdown. Based on the evaluation criteria of sealing performance with proposed sealing rate and leakage parameters, the effects of material properties, interference, B-ring size, etc., on sealing performance were investigated, revealing that although a B-ring with high material yield stress can meet the sealing requirements, both the B-ring and the sealing surface of a reactor body will yield plastic deformation. B-rings with a low material yield stress exhibit obvious plastic deformation during startup and leak during shutdown. However, leakage parameters can be minimized by smaller interference and moderate wave radius.