APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Rocker boots: These seals protect rocker switch panels while accommodating their unique actuating movements.

Bushing seals: Bushing seals complement sealing boots by protecting vulnerable mounting holes.

Sealing hardware

Conventional fasteners, such as nuts, bolts, rivets, and screws, are relatively efficient at mounting a broad range of items to surfaces, or surfaces to each other. However, in some industrial applications, regular fastening is insufficient to prevent the unintentional and unwanted flow of potentially damaging liquids and gases.

Fasteners integrated with embedded O-rings compress when torqued. This compression causes the elastomeric (typically silicone rubber) O-ring material to distort and form an effective seal between the mating surfaces.

Why use sealing hardware

In fasteners subjected to internal or external pressures and excessive vibrations, the thread and bearing faces can act as ideal pathways for the seepage of fluids. Selecting the right sealing hardware is, therefore, essential to ensure that electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems operate at maximum efficiency.

Improper sealing can result in unwanted leaks and loss of pressure in some applications. This can lead to equipment damage, inefficient processes, and cross-contamination, which can ultimately lead to reduced productivity, operational downtime and expensive maintenance or repair operations.

Chemical processing industries, in particular, rely on sealing hardware to prevent the leakage of potentially hazardous gases and liquids. Other sectors, such as the petrochemical industry, require reliable sealing fasteners to contain flammable substances and mitigate the risk of ignition or explosion.

Sealing hardware technology is used in a variety of machinery applications, particularly in harsh or hazardous environments. Depending on the application, and the types of substances encountered, APM Hexseal offers a variety of O-ring materials that will provide an effective and long-lasting seal. This self-sealing hardware ensures that a proper 360° seal is achieved around the base of the fastener through the compression of the O-ring.

Benefits of using sealing hardware

A major advantage of sealing hardware compared to traditional sealants (such as deformable washers and liquid thread sealers) is its reusability. This means that sealing hardware products can be easily removed and reapplied with the same sealing pressure when torqued.

In APM Hexseal’s sealing hardware, the elastomer is positioned within a specially designed groove, which requires minimum compression and deformation when the desired torque is applied. This results in a reliable 360° metal-to-metal fastener contact and minimum friction even over multiple reinstallations.

The various sealing materials available are resistant to a myriad of aggressive chemical compounds, making APM Hexseal’s fastener solutions capable of operating in harsh environments – without the risk of seal degradation. For additional vibrational resistance, self-sealing fasteners may be integrated with locking features, including self-locking pellets, strips and patches.

Sealing hardware solutions

APM Hexseal offers self-sealing fasteners for almost any fastening and sealing needs, across industries. The company’s range of sealing hardware is available with several elastomers and can achieve pressure seal ratings of up to 20,000 psi. These products include:

Seelskrews® and Seelbolts®: These self-sealing bolts and screws provide reliable seals against various liquid and gaseous substances. Seelskrews® and Seelbolts® products are also vibration resistant and reusable.

Seelnuts®: APM Hexseal’s self-sealing hexagonal nuts are designed to be compatible with conventional screws, bolts and studs. The single piece design features the elastomer moulded directly into a custom designed special cavity in the nut and helps provide superior sealing without compromising the nut’s original thread count. These Seelnuts® are available in imperial and metric sizes, up to M90.

Seeloc® washers: The self-sealing reusable washers are constructed from a custom designed stainless steel disc bonded on one side with a specially designed rubber. Seeloc® washers are capable of controlling pressures of up to 100 psi. APM Hexseal also manufactures Heavy Duty Seeloc® washers, capable of handling torque values at least 50% higher than the original Seeloc® washers.

APM Hexseal’s range of sealing solutions are designed to meet the needs of almost any mechanical or electronic system, in almost any environment. As electronic and mechanical systems become increasingly sensitive and high-tech, deploying them unsealed, in a world full of contaminants and environmental hazards, becomes a risk too costly to take. Protecting equipment ensures that it will function as needed, when needed, and significantly reduces the risk of expensive repairs and downtime. The most