Fluid Sealability of Gasket Materials-New Test Fixture, Instrumentation and Test Results

A gasket material fluid sealability test system has been developed using a fixture analogous to a bolted joint in an internal combustion engine. This system applies uniform load, simulates bolted joint rigidity, and measures leakage rate. It also measures load loss as a function of the material stress relaxation. It can be used with most liquids and gases over a broad pressure range.

Novel concepts are employed to improve fluid sealability testing, such as an innovative method of applying bearing load and electronic data acquisition that assures accuracy and increases operator productivity.