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6 Things You Should Know about Cryogenic Seals

PTFE cyrogenic seals

Cryogenic seals provide a mechanical containment mechanism for materials held at cryogenic 
temperatures, such as cryogenic fluids. Various techniques, including soldering and welding are available for creating seals, however specialized materials and processes are necessary to hermetically entrap cryogenic constituents under vacuum-tight conditions. Most commonly used are liquid helium and liquid nitrogen, which boil at very low temperatures, below -153 °C (120 K), as well as hydrocarbons with low freezing points and refrigerating mixtures. – information from Wikipedia.com.

The demand for seals for use in cryogenics applications is increasing, and there are certain facts about them that all engineers should now.  Here are six things you should know about cryogenic seals…

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Why We Love Spring-Energized PTFE Seals (And You Should, Too!)

Five Benefits of Spring-Energized PTFE Seals

Advanced-EMC-love-PTFE_seals

Elastomeric seals have potential disadvantages:  chemical attack, swelling, degradation, heat aging, compression set, and high friction.  However, the addition of a spring and the careful selection of an elastomer can virtually eliminate many of these problems. 

Spring-energized seals have a U-shaped groove in which a corrosion-resistant metal spring (usually made of stainless steel) is placed. Once the seal is seated in the gland, the spring is compressed and applies a force on the gland that seals the surfaces.  This creates a tight barrier to prevent leakage of gas or fluids.  A common material used with spring-energized seals is Polytetrafluoroethylene, referred to as PTFE or Teflon.  This polymer further enhances the properties of spring-energized seals.  In fact, there are five specific benefits to energized PTFE seals!

 

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