Why Do Gasketed Joints Leak?

By: George Davet, BSME, Vice President and Chief Engineer

Solon Manufacturing Company

Why Bolts Loosen

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Embedment Relaxation
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Gasket Creep
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Load Deformation Curve

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Figure 1

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Vibration Joint Loosening

Figure 2

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Bolt Creep
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Stress Relaxation - 1000 Hours

as a Function of Bolt Temperature
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Figure 3

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Figure 4

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Pattern of Residual Preload

Gasket Joint Relaxation

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Pattern of Residual Preload

Gasket Joint Relaxation

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Differential Thermal Expansion

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Summary
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Solon Flange Washers... maintain a
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tight, leak free joint.
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George Davet, BSME is Vice President and Chief Engineer for Solon Manufacturing Co., a manufacturer of
Belleville Springs and Industrial Controls in Chardon, Ohio. George has written and published numerous articles
on the application of Belleville Springs. He can be reached at gdavet@solonmfg.com or 800-323-9717. For
technical papers, visit www.solonmfg.com.
References
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Belleville Springs and Industrial Controls

Solon Manufacturing Co. 2007
used with permission

425 Center St., P.O. Box 207

Chardon, Ohio 44024
440-286-7149 800-323-9717 Fax 440-286-9047
www.solonmfg.com solon@solonmfg.com

www.solonmfg.com

WPJointLeaks 07