Modern, state-of-the-art equipment was recently introduced to the marketplace which allows gasket material manufacturers, fabricators, and end users to test gasket materials and analyze gasket behavior more accurately and precisely than ever before. Previous methods lacked the sophistication of this equipment, or conversely were so complex that the methods were not user friendly. Therefore, this research focuses on providing data from new equipment using newly adopted standards and applying this information to an operational bolted gasketed joint. In addition, the paper describes the test methods, summarizes and analyzes the test results, and discusses incorporating the data into Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeling of a gasketed joint. The intent of the work is to provide practical information about the behavior of compressed non-asbestos type gaskets under varying conditions, examining this ubiquitous material and how it provides a seal, while elucidating the problems and pitfalls of pressure vessel sealing.
