Axisymmetrical FEM Analysis and Estimation of the Sealing Performance in Pipe Flange Connections Combining Metallic Gasket With Adhesive Subjected to Internal Pressure and Temperature Change

Abstract

This study deals with the stress analysis and the estimation of the sealing performance of the pipe flange connections combining a metallic gasket with an adhesive subjected to an internal pressure and a temperature change. Stress distributions at the interface between the adherends and the adhesive in the connections are analyzed by using the finite element method (FEM). From the numerical calculations, the following results are obtained: (1) the stress distributes uniformly at the interface except near the edges, (2) the stress increases as Young’s modulus of an adhesive decreases, (3) the stress becomes singular at the edges of the interfaces. In the experiments, the pipe flange connections consisting of dissimilar circular gaskets with an adhesive were manufactured, and the leakage tests of the connections were carried out by applying an internal pressure and a temperature change to the connections. From the experimental results, the following results were obtained: (1) the sealing performance increased as the width of a gasket decreased and the initial clamping stress increased, and (2) the sealing performance of the pipe flange connections subjected to a temperature change increased under a moderately high temperature.