Fasteners for Pumps & Seals

Fasteners for Seals

One of the primary functions of pump applications is to secure seals and gaskets, ensuring leak-free performance and preventing the loss of valuable fluids and gasses. They permanently or non-permanently join two or more objects together. This can minimize the risk of contamination or environmental damage.

Sealing fasteners are highly specialized fasteners made with a rubber element that permanently seals when squeezed and come in custom or standard sizing for use on air, land or at sea. This rubber element is usually a rubber O ring, which can come in nitrile, silicone, fluorosilicone and fluorocarbon, found on the underside of the screw or bolt head. A few options of fasteners for seals include:

• Sealing screws: Sealing screws are ideal for use in aerospace, medical devices and energy industries as they prevent seepage. This means it effectively seals a joint or connection and prevents unwanted leakage of gasses through the threaded interface.
• Sealing bolts: Sealing bolts are ideal for pumps, valves and pipelines in the oil and gas industry, chemical processing and water treatment.
• Sealing nuts: Sealing nuts are similar to bolts but differ in function. Using bolts together with nuts creates a leakproof seal.
• Sealing washers: Specialized sealing washers create a tight seal between mating surfaces, commonly used with bolts, nuts or screws.

When choosing a sealing fastener, you need to consider the corrosion resistance needed for the environment. If the equipment will have contact with saltwater or face other corrosive environments, we recommend a stainless steel sealing fastener, such as 347 Stainless Steel, which offers corrosion resistance and is suitable for temperatures up to 800º F (425º C).

High Nickel Alloys for Pumps and Seals

Nickel Systems provides top-quality materials essential for pumps and seals in many different industries. These materials include:

• Inconel Alloys: Inconel alloys like Inconel 625 and Inconel 718 are chosen for pumps and seals due to their exceptional resistance to corrosion and oxidation, making them ideal for handling corrosive fluids and operating in high-temperature environments. This corrosion resistance ensures longevity and reliability in pump and seal components, crucial for sustained performance in demanding applications.
• Hastelloy Alloys: Hastelloy alloys such as Hastelloy C-276 and Hastelloy C-22 are favored for pumps and seals in chemical processing plants and marine applications due to their superior resistance to a wide range of aggressive media, including acids and chlorides. Their corrosion resistance ensures the integrity of pump and seal components, even when exposed to highly corrosive environments, thus minimizing maintenance and downtime.
• Nickel Copper: Nickel Copper alloys like Monel 400 find extensive use in pumps and seals for marine applications, desalination plants, and chemical processing equipment. Their outstanding resistance to corrosion by seawater and acids ensures the durability and reliability of pump and seal components in maritime and corrosive environments, reducing the risk of premature failure and associated maintenance costs.
• Alloy 20 (Carpenter 20): Alloy 20 is commonly employed in pumps and seals for chemical processing, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical industries due to its excellent resistance to sulfuric acid and other aggressive chemicals. This corrosion resistance ensures the longevity and performance of pump and seal components in corrosive environments containing sulfuric acid, essential for maintaining operational efficiency and safety.
• Titanium Alloys: Titanium alloys like Ti-6Al-4V are utilized in pumps and seals where corrosion resistance and lightweight construction are paramount. Their corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio make them suitable for applications such as seawater pumps and aerospace systems, where minimizing weight while maintaining durability is crucial for pump and seal performance and longevity.