Mechanism of the sealing of immobile joints with thermoplastic gaskets

We describe two methods of theoretical study of sealing of a joint between surfaces with complex geometric shapes. The first method is based on a model of a medium flow through a system of microslits; the second method is based on the model of an intersurface cavity having the form of a porous layer—the model uses the flow equations of filtration theory. A model of the sealing of flat immobile flanges by hot-melt adhesives is proposed. The advantages of this method are considered, and it is shown that application of hot-melt adhesives onto the flat surface of one of the flanges eliminates all possible leakage channels. In addition, the formation of a gasket directly on the surface of a butt joint also makes it possible to markedly simplify the sealing technology. Methods of increasing the durability of joints with polymeric sealants are proposed.