Detection method for the service life of rubber sealing rings used in pipe joints

In pipeline engineering, rubber sealing rings, as key sealing components of pipeline interfaces, their service life is directly related to the safe and stable operation of the entire pipeline and the long-term investment returns. Therefore, it is of vital importance to understand and master the service life detection methods of rubber sealing rings. This article will introduce to you several commonly used methods for testing the service life of rubber sealing rings.

I. Basic Characteristics of Rubber Sealing Rings

Rubber sealing rings are widely used in various pipe joints due to their high elasticity, good sealing performance and corrosion resistance. However, rubber materials also have the drawback of being prone to aging, especially under environmental conditions such as high temperatures, ultraviolet rays, and ozone. The rubber molecular chains are likely to break, leading to a decline in sealing performance. Therefore, when evaluating the service life of rubber sealing rings, special attention should be paid to their anti-aging performance.

Ii. Common Detection Methods

Compression deformation test

Compression set test is a common method for evaluating the sealing performance of rubber sealing rings. The testing principle is to measure the deformation capacity and recovery capacity of rubber sealing rings under a certain pressure. By controlling parameters such as environmental temperature and material hardness, the accuracy of the test results is ensured. This method can simulate the force conditions of the sealing ring in actual use and evaluate its recovery ability after long-term compression.

2. Thermal aging test

Rubber sealing rings are prone to aging and losing their sealing performance in high-temperature environments. Therefore, conducting thermal aging tests can simulate the usage conditions of sealing rings under high-temperature conditions, and evaluate their service life and performance. The experimental method usually involves placing the sealing ring inside the electric furnace, gradually increasing the temperature, and recording the test time and deformation of the sealing ring. The thermal aging performance of the sealing ring can be evaluated by comparing the performance changes before and after the experiment.

3. Oil resistance test

In certain specific environments, rubber sealing rings need to have oil resistance. The oil resistance test can determine the performance changes of the sealing ring in oily media. The experimental method is to immerse the sealing ring in the oil medium on the basis of controlling the temperature and the concentration of the oil medium, and observe whether its morphology and sealing performance change. This method is helpful for evaluating the durability and stability of the sealing ring in an oily environment.

4. Compressive stress relaxation test

According to ISO standards, the compressive stress relaxation test is one of the important methods for evaluating the service life of rubber sealing rings. This test method measures the speed and extent of performance changes of the sealing ring by simulating the changes in compressive stress during actual use. During the testing process, it is necessary to control the environmental temperature and stress conditions to ensure the accuracy of the test results. Through this method, the service life of the sealing ring under specific usage conditions can be estimated.

5. Aging resistance performance test

The aging resistance performance test is a key step in evaluating the long-term service performance of rubber sealing rings. This method usually ages the sealing ring under specific environmental conditions (such as high temperature, ultraviolet rays, etc.) for a period of time, and then measures the changes in its performance. By comparing the performance parameters before and after aging, the aging resistance of the sealing ring can be evaluated, thereby predicting its service life in actual use.

Iii. Summary

Rubber sealing rings, as important sealing components at pipe joints, their service life is directly related to the safety and stability of the entire pipeline. Through various methods such as compression set tests, thermal aging tests, oil resistance tests, compression stress relaxation tests and aging resistance performance tests, the performance and service life of rubber sealing rings can be comprehensively evaluated. In practical applications, appropriate detection methods should be selected based on specific usage environments and requirements, and tests should be conducted strictly in accordance with standard operating procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results.

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