Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) pipes and flanges are increasingly used in the oil and gas industry where metal is simply too heavy and expensive. In addition to cost pressure, the need for lightweight chemically resistant materials are also driving the use of fiberglass pipes  and flanges. Innovations in FRP flange design coupled with improvements in manufacturing technology have allowed FRP piping to be used in even more demanding applications. However, these demanding applications have added challenges for sealing the bolted flange connections.

More aggressive media and higher internal pressures have pushed the limits of the commonly used rubber gasketing materials, such as Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), or neoprene. Obtaining a reliable seal in FRP flanges using conventional gasketing materials has become more difficult.

Fiberglass pipes are generally known to have strength limits and a lower pressure resistance, making sealing fiberglass flanges difficult. Gore solved this problem with its patented expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) gasket, specifically designed to seal flanges at low stresses. This solution was successfully demonstrated in a multistage testing procedure conducted in cooperation with a globally leading manufacturer of anti-corrosive fiberglass pipe systems.

Gore, Precision Associates, and Parker Join the Fight Against Covid-19

What Gore is doing to help

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities around the world, Gore is working hard to identify ways in which they can apply their materials science expertise and production capabilities to help during this time of need.

Several initiatives are underway that bring together the knowledge, skills and capabilities from across Gore.

As an immediate and initial response to the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage, Gore rapidly engineered prototype reusable mask covers to supplement clinicians’ primary face masks.

The effort went from a product concept to prototypes in less than one week. Gore currently has prototypes being evaluated at a limited number of U.S. facilities in COVID-19 outbreak hot spots.

Additionally, by providing their customers and other manufacturing companies with Gore's highly specialized component materials, they can use them to produce a variety of finished PPE items, such as:

• Protective medical gowns, using fabrics laminates from Gore's current inventory
• Universal filter cartridge prototypes for fixed masks that incorporate Gore's filtration materials intended to provide N95 particulate protection,
• Disposable N95 respirators, using Gore's filtration laminates

It is through these collaborations with those who have the technical capabilities and production capacity needed to produce the finished goods in volume that together, Gore and its partners truly are improving life.

Gore has even donated medical supplies and protective gear to healthcare workers in the communities in which their facilities are stationed. They've also extended a hand to provide engineering and prototyping support to address other urgent equipment needs at local hospitals.

What Precision Associates is doing to help

Precision Associates, Inc. has ramped up its production of several essential rubber components for ventilator manufacturer Ventec Life Systems. Ventec recently announced plans to partner with GM to increase the output of these crucial units in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critical patients suffering from the virus have difficulty breathing and require ventilator assistance for life support. GM is now transforming one of its factories to begin assembling ventilators for Ventec in early April.

ePTFE Gasket Tapes for High Chemical Resistance

The connections to shell and tube heat exchangers pose immense challenges for the seals that are used because of both the chemically aggressive media and the frequent temperature load changes. Despite its excellent chemical resistance,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is not typically suitable as a sealing material in this case because the creep tendency of this material jeopardizes a reliable seal.

Shell and tube bundle heat exchangers

Gasket Tape Series 1000

Sealing Challenges

Glass-lined steel equipment is used by chemical processers to deal with aggressive media under demanding conditions. Yet the inherent demands of such systems – high temperatures, alternating system pressures, limited gasket loads and deviation of sealing surfaces – can make it challenging to maintain a tight, lasting seal.

While the Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material itself offers good chemical resistance, it does

Over time, and for any number of reasons, flanges are prone to surface deviations.  Damaged areas will tend to create a leak path that the gasket must try to seal.

Flange damage most commonly occurs when removing previously used gasket material from the sealing surface - tools such as chisels, or screw drivers, should be avoided. A brass wire brush is suggested.

The video below proves how well GORE® Gasket Tape Series 500 works on flanges with surface deviations versus a standard filled PTFE gasket.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwuxtiFbxH0[/embed]

A spool of GORE® Gasket Tape Series 500 provides an immediate, cost-effective solution to sealing challenges that demand reliable performance and extended durability. This advanced product, with its industry-leading creep resistance, is designed to maximize the operational reliability of large steel-flanged applications, especially those with thermal cycling.

It eliminates the lag time, costs and complexities associated with engineering, specifying, procuring, shipping, storing and installing traditional one-piece prefabricated gaskets.  It also delivers exceptionally reliable sealing performance, while making multiple gasketing installations faster, more cost-effective and simpler.