What problems with a gasket can a pressure test reveal?

Pressure testing can reveal the following problems with the gasket:

First. Leakage problems

Pressure drop indicates leakage:

During a pressure test, if the pressure within the sealing system gradually drops over time, this usually indicates a leakage problem with the gasket. For example, in a pressure test of a pressure vessel, the initial pressure is set to a certain value, after a period of time to observe a significant decrease in pressure, this may be the gasket failed to completely seal the container, resulting in gas or liquid leakage.

By monitoring the rate of pressure drop, the severity of the leak can be initially determined. If the pressure drops quickly, the leak may be serious; if the pressure drops slowly, the leak may be relatively small.

Determination of leak location:

A pressure test can help determine the exact location of a leak. There are a number of testing methods that can be used to locate leaks, such as applying soapy water and using a leak detector. If bubbles are found to develop around the gasket or if the leak detector sounds an alarm, it can be determined that a leak exists at that location. Determine the location of the leak for subsequent maintenance and replacement of the gasket is very important, can be targeted to deal with, improve maintenance efficiency.

Second, inadequate sealing performance

Can not reach the intended pressure:

If during the pressure test, the sealing system can not reach the predetermined pressure value, this may mean that the gasket sealing performance is insufficient. For example, in a piping system pressure test, no matter how to increase the output pressure of the pressure source, the pressure in the system has never been able to meet the design requirements, which may be due to the gasket can not withstand the required pressure, or the gasket and the sealing surface of the fit between the sealing surface is not tight. This situation may be caused by improper selection of the material of the gasket, improper size, incorrect installation, etc.

Large pressure fluctuations:

During a pressure test, if the pressure within the sealing system fluctuates widely and is unstable, this may also be a sign of a problem with the gasket. For example, if the pressure rises and falls dramatically in a short period of time, this may be a sign that the gasket is not able to maintain good sealing performance under pressure changes, resulting in unstable pressure. Large pressure fluctuations may affect the normal operation of the sealing system and may even cause damage to the equipment. Therefore, the sealing gasket needs to be checked and replaced to ensure that the pressure of the system is stable.

Third, the gasket is damaged

Appearance deformation:

After the pressure test, check the appearance of the sealing gasket can be found some signs of damage. If the gasket appears obvious deformation, such as compression, distortion, expansion, etc., this may be due to the gasket under pressure to withstand excessive stress, resulting in changes in its structure. Appearance deformation may affect the sealing performance of the gasket, so that it can not closely fit the sealing surface, thus leading to leakage.

Material breakage:

Pressure testing may result in breakage of the gasket's material. For example, rubber gaskets may tear and crack, and metal gaskets may crack and wear. Material damage is usually caused by the gasket exceeding its strength limits under pressure or by external factors such as corrosion, abrasion, etc. If a gasket is found to have material breakage, it must be replaced in a timely manner to avoid serious leakage in the sealing system.