Evaluation of rubber seals for high temperature environments: challenges and strategies

In industrial applications, rubber seals are one of the common sealing materials, but their application in high temperature environments faces some challenges. This article will evaluate the applicability of rubber seals in high temperature environments from two aspects: challenges and coping strategies.

Challenges

Temperature resistance limit: The temperature resistance limit of ordinary rubber seals is low, generally below 100°C, and in high temperature environments, rubber materials are prone to hardening, aging or loss of elasticity, resulting in reduced sealing performance.

Chemical changes: In high temperature environments, rubber seals may undergo chemical changes, such as oxidation, decomposition or dissolution, resulting in performance degradation or even failure of the seals.

Thermal expansion: At high temperatures, the thermal expansion coefficients of the seals and the sealing surface do not match, which can easily lead to an increase in the sealing gap and affect the sealing effect.

Coping strategies

Selecting heat-resistant rubber materials: Select high-temperature resistant rubber materials, such as silicone rubber (VMQ), fluororubber (FKM), etc., which have high temperature resistance and stable chemical properties and perform well in high temperature environments.

Surface treatment: Surface treatment of rubber seals, such as coating with high temperature resistant coating or adding anti-aging agent, can improve the high temperature resistance and anti-aging ability of seals.

Optimization design: Optimize the structural design of seals, increase the contact area between seals and sealing surfaces, and reduce the impact of thermal expansion on sealing performance.

Regular inspection and maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain rubber seals, timely detect and replace aging or damaged seals to ensure the normal operation of equipment.

Conclusion

The application of rubber seals in high temperature environments faces some challenges, but by selecting suitable heat-resistant materials, surface treatment, optimization design and regular maintenance, the applicability and stability of seals in high temperature environments can be effectively improved to ensure the safe operation of equipment.

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