Improved performance of corrugated metal gaskets in boiler’s piping system through multilayered coating

Abstract

The corrugated metal gasket is still in the early stages of development. However, gasket contact flanges with a high surface roughness (more than 3.5 µm) leak and require a lot of force to tighten. A nickel or copper-coated corrugated metal gasket was designed. A water pressure test was used to measure leaks, and the results revealed that nickel or copper-covered gaskets performed better. The effect of high temperature has not been explored in this study, which only reveals high pressure. The goal of this study is to use copper and nickel coatings to improve the performance of corrugated metal gaskets. Copper or nickel infiltrates the pipe flange's rough surface, preventing leaking. The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of a coated corrugated metal gasket in a boiler system, which has high temperature and pressure. Corrugated metal gaskets were formed using a cold forming process. The gasket material was SUS304, which is copper or nickel-plated through electroplating. The gasket was installed in a series of pipes in the boiler that flows water at high temperature and pressure. The water leak was trickling on white paper that had been placed beneath the gasket. Even small water leaks are detected on white paper. The thermal camera can detect vapor leaks. The results of the studies reveal that the coated corrugated metal gasket's performance was improved, as seen by the reduction in leakage. At the highest pressure of 7 bar and the lowest tightening force of 40 kN, neither gasket leaked. This result is different from standard corrugated metal gaskets, where at the same pressure and temperature, steam and water leaks are observed. Both copper and nickel-plating types can be used to coat corrugated metal gaskets made of SUS304.