The right seal starts with understanding the application
In critical applications, even a small leak can create significant problems. Wherever a sensor, wire, electrode or tube passes through a pressure boundary, maintaining a reliable seal is essential to protecting equipment performance and keeping processes operating as intended.
But creating that seal involves more than selecting a fitting that matches the diameter of the element passing through it. Pressure, vacuum, temperature, sealing material and the surrounding environment can all influence performance.
How compression seal fittings work
Compression seal fittings create a pressure- or vacuum-tight seal around an element passing through a vessel, enclosure or other boundary. As the fitting is tightened, force compresses the sealing material around the element to create the seal.
This approach can be used to seal thermocouples, tubes, insulated wires, electrodes and other elements in applications involving gases or liquids under pressure or vacuum. Conax Technologies offers reusable stainless steel packing glands with replaceable sealants, as well as compression seal fitting designs for insulated power leads, electrodes and other application requirements.
Start with the operating conditions
A reliable compression seal fitting starts with understanding the application, not the fitting. Engineers need to consider temperature, pressure or vacuum levels, exposure to gases or liquids, and the size and material of the element being sealed.
For example, a fitting used to seal a thermocouple entering a furnace may have different requirements than one carrying electrical power into a vacuum chamber or introducing wires into semiconductor processing equipment. Evaluating these conditions upfront helps identify the fitting configuration and materials best suited for reliable performance.
Select the right sealing material
Different sealing materials are designed for different operating conditions. Conax packing glands are available with sealant materials including Viton®, GraFoil™, Neoprene®, Teflon™ and Lava.
According to Conax product specifications, Viton can be used at temperatures up to 450° F (232° C), GraFoil up to 925° F (495° C) and Lava up to 1600° F (870° C). Temperature isn’t the only consideration, however. For example, Lava sealant is not recommended for high-vacuum applications. Choosing the right material requires considering the complete operating environment rather than a single specification.
Proper installation is critical to performance
Even the right fitting and sealant must be installed correctly. The appropriate torque can vary based on fitting size and sealing material, and sufficient compression is needed to establish the seal without compromising the fitting or the element passing through it.
Following the requirements for the specific fitting helps ensure the compression seal performs as designed.
When a standard fitting isn’t enough
Many applications can be addressed with standard compression seal fitting configurations. Others present unique requirements that call for a custom-engineered solution.
Conax engineers take the time to understand these challenges and develop solutions around the application’s specific requirements. The result is a fitting engineered not only to create the required seal, but also to support reliable, long-term equipment performance.
Engineer reliability into every seal
Reliable sealing begins with an idea: understanding what the application needs to accomplish and the challenges standing in the way. From there, the right combination of fitting design, materials and installation requirements can turn those needs into a solution built for dependable performance.
For more than 70 years, Conax Technologies has worked with customers to solve complex sealing and sensing challenges with both standard products and custom-engineered designs. If your application requires a reliable pressure or vacuum seal, talk to Conax about your operating conditions and performance requirements. Together, we can engineer a solution designed to help your application succeed.
Viton® is a trademark of The Chemours Company™
GraFoil™ is a trademark of NeoGraf Solutions™
Neoprene® is a trademark of The Chemours Company™
Teflon™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company™