The use of metal head gaskets is rapidly increasing to meet recent requirements for modern engines, such as the use of asbestos free gasket materials, operating the engine at higher output, and other engine design criteria.
Traditional evaluation of metal head gaskets has consisted of many hours of actual engine durability tests. Accordingly, this new static test method has been developed for the evaluation of metal gaskets.
This method employs a gap sensor and strain gauge which measures the gasket sealing embossment deflection using simulated engine load.
The evaluation of metal head gaskets can be divided into two important categories, namely sealability and crack resistance. Sealability depends on the gasket embossment yield, the rubber coating fatigue, the effect of cylinder head and block stiffness, the variation in fastening load due to thermal expansion, and the variation in cylinder sleeve load due to combustion pressure. Crack resistance depends on the amplitude and number of mechanical stresses placed on the gasket sealing embossment.
This paper identifies relevant factors for the evaluation of metal head gaskets and a new static testing method for the evaluation of metal head gaskets durability which can shorten the engine development time.