Sealant material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealant materials for pipe joints are not suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature applications, particularly when exposed to fluids like corrosion inhibitors, sludge removers, alcohols, hydrocarbons, or steam at temperatures above 150°C and pressures above 10 bar, as they fail to maintain a sealed joint effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multifilament or spun yarn coated with a non-curable joint sealing composition comprising silicone oil and a filler, such as mineral, powdered polymer, or chopped fibre filler, constructed from polyamide, which is used to seal pipe joints in systems where fluids like corrosion inhibitors, sludge removers, alcohols, hydrocarbons, or steam are passed through, maintaining the seal even at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sealant materials are used for pipe joints, then they are suitable for low-pressure water plumbing applications, but they fail when exposed to high-temperature steam, high-pressure fluids, corrosion inhibitors, sludge removers, alcohols, or hydrocarbons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrityVSAvoidresistance to aggressive fluids and extreme conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealant material combines polyamide yarn (providing structural strength and chemical resistance) with silicone rubber coating (providing sealing properties and temperature resistance). This composite structure enables the material to withstand aggressive fluids like corrosion inhibitors, sludge removers, alcohols, and hydrocarbons, as well as extreme conditions including steam at 180°C and pressures above 10 bar, while maintaining reliable seal integrity across diverse industrial applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If sealant materials are designed for high-temperature and high-pressure resistance, then they can handle aggressive fluids, but they become unsuitable for conventional low-pressure water plumbing applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to aggressive fluids and extreme conditionsVSAvoidseal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealant material's composition parameters are specifically optimized to maintain functional performance across a broad spectrum of operating conditions. The polyamide yarn provides mechanical strength that remains effective from low-pressure domestic water systems to high-pressure industrial applications, while the silicone rubber coating maintains sealing properties across temperatures from ambient to 180°C steam, allowing the same material to reliably seal both conventional plumbing and aggressive industrial fluid systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3245268B1Sealant material
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
  • EP3245268B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Use of a sealing material which is a multifilament or spun yarn coated with a joint sealing composition to seal a joint in a pipe system in which system a fluid having corrosion inhibitors such as diammonium dimolybdate or benzotriazole; and/or sludge removers; and/or an alcohol such as propane diol, or ethylene glycol; and/or a hydrocarbon such as diesel, including biodiesel, fuel oil, or hydraulic oil; and/or steam at a temperature of at least 180oC and a pressure of at least 10 bar (1000kPa); is to be passed through the sealed joint. It is surprising that the sealing materials of the invention can maintain a sealed joint despite exposure to such materials.