Monthly Archives: June 2017
- June 29, 2017
An expansion joint can relieve stress in piping systems and prevent flange gaskets from being crushed. But which expansion joint is best for your specific application? Let us first describe the two types of expansion joints:
Rubber — a flexible connector fabricated of natural and/or synthetic elastomers and fabric and, if necessary, internal metallic reinforcements designed to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal movements and mechanical vibration.
Metal — a flexible element (bellows) constructed of relatively thin gauge material (generally stainless steel) designed to absorb mechanical and thermal movements expected in service.
Advantages: Metal Expansion Joints
Temperature
Rubber joints with standard construction and materials have an upper range to 230°F. Most manufacturers, however, can offer special constructions up to 400°F. Metal expansion joints do offer a far greater range, from -420°F to +1800°F. However, working pressures are reduced at elevated temperatures. - June 27, 2017
Gallagher recently released its Expansion Joint Design Guide, now available for download on our site. This design guide takes an in-depth look at elastomeric, metal, and flue duct expansion joints. The excerpt below is the first section of our Expansion Joint Design Guide, diving into elastomeric expansion joints, and what to consider when selecting which joint is right for your application. To download the entire guide, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
What is an Expansion Joint?
An expansion joint is a specially engineered product inserted in a rigid piping system to achieve one or more of the following:
- Absorb movement
- Relieve system strain due to thermal change
- Reduce mechanical noise
- Compensate for misalignment
- Eliminate electrolysis between dissimilar metals (metal expansion joints)
They are built to expand, contract, and adjust without straining or breaking the piping or ducting on either side. Essentially, an expansion joint is meant to protect the piping system from damage.
- June 22, 2017
The GYLON® ONE-UP® diaphragm is the optimal solution for sanitary applications in air-operated diaphragm pumps. Made using Garlock's exclusive GLYON® PTFE Diaphragm material, and a proprietary EPDM rubber backing, the GYLON® ONE-UP® is made with the same patented rib construction of Garlock's standard industrial ONE-UP® pump diaphragm.
Watch the video below to learn more.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401hLreEes8&feature=youtu.be[/embed]
- June 20, 2017
Light-weight, robust polymer springs are replacing steel coil springs in a range of energy management applications including track tensioners for light-duty mobile equipment such as skid loaders.
With safety as Priority #1, use of polymer springs eliminates a potential source of injury and safeguards workers during equipment assembly and installation. Polymer springs are much safer to install compared to steel coil springs because their lowered stored energy reduces the risk of injury and damage due to uncontrolled release.
Product Features:
- Safer. Lower stored energy vs. steel coil spring reduces risk of uncontrolled release
- Smaller. For a given spring force, up to 75% reduction in space allows simple fixturing and assembly
- Lighter. Up to 90% reduction in weight for a given spring force gives equipment designers more degrees of freedom in weight distribution
- June 15, 2017
Lightweight design has recently become a much more significant trend in the auto industry. Even with small components like seals, a great deal of weight can be saved. From Freudenberg’s standpoint, several forward-looking issues come together in these approaches.
In his office, Dr. Ted Duclos, the CTO of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, is holding up a palm-sized plastic ring. “I know that it seems very small and insignificant,” he said. “But components like this quickly add up to several kilograms of weight in an engine.” And weight is one of the factors getting special attention from the auto industry – for a range of very different reasons.
Duclos has just returned from the Lightweight Summit in Würzburg, an international gathering of more than 300 experts from industry and research. Specialized lectures, discussion panels and presentations focus on lightweight design in the auto industry and especially in electric mobility. “Lightweight design is a trend,” Duclos said. In the design of classic internal combustion engines because low weight reduces emissions. And for the future of the electric car because reduced weight increases the vehicle’s range. Or to put it another way, lightweight design is one of several trends that are now logically tied to one another.
- June 13, 2017
Extrusion and nibbling of the O-ring is a primary cause of seal failure in dynamic applications such as hydraulic rod and piston seals. This form of failure may also be found from time to time in static applications subject to high pressure pulsing which causes the clearance gap of the mating flanges to open and close, trapping the O-ring between the mating surfaces.
Watch the video below from Parker's O-Ring eHandbook, showing how extrusion & nibbling can happen.
- June 08, 2017
As the largest gathering of hydro professionals worldwide, join 3000+ attendees and 320+ exhibiting companies from around the world for a week of informative hydropower-focused meetings, workshops, tours, an extensive program and exhibition. HydroVision International highlights perspectives on the role of hydropower, explores issues affecting hydro resources, and helps participants develop a vision to meet challenges and ensure the future sustainability of hydro.
Benefits of Attending:
- Build alliances among 3,000+ hydro professionals and water resource stakeholders
- Attend multiple networking events to make a connection with colleagues
- Share knowledge, expertise and viewpoints toward effective solutions
- Gain a better understanding of current and future challenges affecting hydro during the 60+ conference sessions
- Hear from over 400 hydro speakers
- See the most comprehensive collection of 320+ hydro-related product and service providers on the exhibit floor
- Promote technology development to sustain the hydro industry
- Earn Professional Development Hour Credits - Attendees registered as Full Conference Delegates are eligible to receive 15 Professional Development Hours (PDH) credits.
- June 06, 2017
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is commonly known as a coating for pans under the DuPont trade name Teflon™. It is also superbly suited as a sealant and is superior to many materials in specific ways. For example, it can be used at low and high temperatures and in combination with gasoline, solvents, water and other polar media such as lyes, standard lubricants and brake fluid. PTFE’s chemical resistance is nearly universal.
History
In 1938, while working for DuPont, American chemist Roy Plunkett was looking for a substitute for the fluorohydrocarbon Freon, which his employer was only allowed to sell to General Motors’ Frigidaire division for patent-related reasons. For his research, he had obtained a supply of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), which was used as refrigerator coolant. He stored it in small pressurized gas cylinders at low temperatures. When he was ready to use the gas after a fairly long storage period, none was left in the container. But its weight was unchanged. After it was opened, there were white crumbs inside and the inner walls of the container were covered with a thin layer. Plunkett quickly realized that the TFE gas had been polymerized into a plastic. This new plastic, PTFE, proved to be completely resistant to chemical exposure. Not even aqua regia¹ could harm it in any way. But its production was so costly that practical uses seemed inconceivable.
- June 01, 2017
Re-posted on behalf of Thordon Bearings. Gallagher Fluid Seals is a longtime distributor of Thordon Bearings in New England and eastern NY.
Thordon Bearings and Drydocks World Team Up To Convert Ships To Seawater Lubricated Shaft Lines
05/04/2017
Thordon Bearings and Drydocks World-Dubai (DDW-D) have today signed a milestone agreement under which the UAE-based shipyard will work together with Thordon Bearings Inc. to promote the conversion of ships’ oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordon’s COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system.
The agreement will create an action plan in which a specialist team, comprised of Drydocks World-Dubai and Thordon Bearings’ personnel, offer support to ship managers and owners looking to ensure their vessels are fully compliant with environmental legislation prohibiting the discharge of oil from the oil-to-sea interface of ships' propeller shafts. Shipowners could face substantial financial penalties if their vessels are found to be non-compliant.