Blog
- July 23, 2024
PTFE Spring Energized Seal Provides Low Friction Performance in Food Product Dispenser
The Food and Beverage industry presents some unique challenges in the sealing world. FDA compliance and Clean-In-Place requirements can complicate seal design and potentially limit material selection. With these additional considerations, Food Industry seals often still must operate under the same strenuous conditions and performance specifics as many industrial or aerospace applications.
Things like pressure, temperature, and systems dynamics can create challenges for many standard seals. Many food production processes involve cooking or pasteurizing so high temperature performance requirements are often called for. Production line operations can demand seals capable of handling high-speed dynamics and extreme duty cycles.
- July 19, 2024
Gallagher Fluid Seals is a Parker Distributor is proud to be proud to be one of the few premier distributors to qualify as a “Parker Seal Technology Center (STC)”.
Best Conductive Plastics: Five Things to Look For
Can electrically conductive plastics really replace traditional metal electronics enclosures? The answer is a resounding yes! There are very effective electrically conductive plastics available today that provide excellent electromechanical properties that help shield portable electronics from the electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise that is proliferating our daily life. Smart phones,
- July 17, 2024
DuPont™ Kalrez® and its Robust Chemical Resistance - Amines, Aldehydes, Ethers, Esters, Acids, and Bases
Kalrez® is a result of Viton™ and Teflon™ research. Kalrez is a cross-linked fully fluorinated polymer. Kalrez combines the rubber properties of Viton™ with the chemical resistance of Teflon™…. plus super high temperature resistance, about 200 degrees Fahrenheit GREATER than Viton or Teflon™.
In the molecular structure of the basic Kalrez® polymer chain backbone, the fluorine atoms protect the carbon-chain as well as the oxygen atom from almost any chemical media. The structure of Kalrez® is unique. Kalrez® is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethyl vinyl ether.
In most cases, even the cross-link is fluorinated, further stabilizing the whole structure. The fluorine content of Kalrez® is higher than any other fluorinated elastomer, at 73%. Chemical resistance is the most important
- July 12, 2024
Diaphragm Seals Basics with Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies
Diaphragm seals are an often-overlooked sealing solution that’s hidden well within your system. While you might not put much thought into these seals daily, they play an essential role in protecting the measuring instruments and gages within the system, all while allowing for proper measurement.
What are Diaphragm seals?
A diaphragm seal serves as a flexible membrane that is used to separate the measuring instrument from the media they are measuring. The main job of a diaphragm seal is to create a barrier between the fluid and the instrument itself such as a pressure gauge, or transmitter. The barrier allows for the protection of the instrument, and accurate measurement of the pressure all while preventing any fluid or contaminants from entering or exiting the system. Since the instruments or sensors are located on the other side of the seal from the fluid, diaphragms are almost always
- July 09, 2024
Pipe Flanges: Key Considerations for Metal Hoses and Expansion Joints
While corrugated metal hoses and expansion joints can accommodate many different end fitting types, pipe flanges are one of the most common connections specified by customers. However, there tends to be a good deal of confusion industry-wide as to the proper use of pipe flanges on metal hoses and expansion joints. Here are a few things to keep in mind when helping customers with flanged assemblies.
Defining Pipe Flanges
Pipe flanges allow for easy installation of the component into a piping system. Proper flange usage avoids many potential problems associated with threaded connections (space limitations, thread allowances, numerous thread standards, thread sealing challenges, etc.). Flanges must be manufactured in accordance with well-defined specifications, which are then referenced in piping codes that are used in various industries. Industry relies on these codes and standards to ensure the safety
- July 03, 2024
Vesconite Bushings Increase Lifespan of Roller Chains on Scraper Reclaimers by 5x
Vesconite Hilube is a thermopolymer, designed for particularly difficult operating environments. Hilube is specifically recommended for moist and underwater applications. These include the pump and marine industry, where regular maintenance is not practically feasible or cost-effective. Displaying superior wear life, especially in poorly lubricated and dirty conditions, Vesconite Hilube has been shown to offer up to ten times the life of bronze bushings.
Some 30 years ago, wear-resistant self-lubricating Vesconite Hilube bushings first began to be used on roller chains and immediately proved their worth to the conveyor and mineral processing industries by extending the operational life of roller chains on two scraper reclaimers by an impressive fivefold.
This improvement in lifespan was achieved by retrofitting the steel bushings of the chains with Vesconite Hilube
- July 02, 2024
Gallagher Fluid Seals is a Parker Distributor is proud to be proud to be one of the few premier distributors to qualify as a “Parker Seal Technology Center (STC)”.
Reduce Maintenance Costs When Sealing Dry Running Equipment
Pneumatic tools are common in factories, tool shops, and DIY garages around the world. Using compressed air for power is convenient, simple, and — when maintained properly — safe and efficient. However, air treatment costs can add up fast. Traditional rubber seals used in air tools require clean, low moisture, compressed air with the proper amount of lubrication added. Good Filter/Regulator/Lubricator systems (FRLs) cost as much as the tools themselves! So, what would happen if we didn’t have to provide pristine air?
Today we have the technology to create seals for tools which don’t require daily or even yearly upkeep. You’ll find these tools labeled “maintenance-free,” which sounds great to the guy responsible for maintenance.
- June 27, 2024
INDUSTRY
Oil and Gas - Ethanol Plant
OBSERVATION OF ISSUE(S)
Mill personnel reported using expansion joints (non- Garlock) that were failing prematurely. The critical joints located on the discharge side of the evaporator system experienced failures in less than 12 months of service, sometimes as early as 6 months. These expansion joints often failed unexpectedly, leading to serious safety concerns and unplanned downtime.
- June 25, 2024
Selection Requirements for Elastomeric Seals
Gallagher Fluid Seals is a Tier 1 DuPont™ Kalrez® distributor and we are proud of our longtime partnership with DuPont®, having specified thousands of perfluoroelastomer parts over the past few decades.
DuPont™ is at the forefront of perfluoroelastomer development, creating elastomers with properties that can help meet highly specific application requirements.
But how do you know which elastomer is right for your application? DuPont™ provides this helpful guide.
Selection Requirements For Elastomeric Seals
Service Conditions
- Temperature range (minimum, operating, maximum conditions). Thermal cycling and potential excursions. Define in either degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Pressure range (minimum, operating , maximum conditions). Define in either psi
- June 20, 2024
Gallagher Fluid Seals is a Parker Distributor is proud to be proud to be one of the few premier distributors to qualify as a “Parker Seal Technology Center (STC)”.
The emergence of degradable and dissolvable materials is providing oilfield service companies an opportunity to increase efficiencies and cut costs in the oilfield by simplifying well completions. These materials replace their conventional metallic and polymeric counterparts in completion tools, but eventually break down and disperse when exposed to common completion fluids. This eliminates the need for well interventions to mill out or retrieve used tools. This can result in a reduction of drill time, a safer work environment, and monetary savings for the operator. Parker Hannifin produces dissolvable and degradable metal alloys, thermoplastics, and elastomeric materials that can enhance your well completions.
Degradable Elastomers
Parker O-Ring and Engineered Seals (OES) Division