FSA-G-605-11

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Fluid Sealing Association

STANDARD

FSA-G-605-11

Standard Test Method for Determining

(m)  and (y)  Loading Constants
Applicable to Gasket Materials and Designs
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For a complete list of FSA publications, please contact:

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994 Old Eagle School Road
Suite 1019
Wayne, PA 19087-1866
Phone: (610) 971-4850
Fax: (610) 971-4859
Email: [email protected]
Or visit our web site at: www.fluidsealing.com
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Fluid Sealing Association Standard

FSA-G-605-11

Standard Test Method for Determining

(m)  and (y)  Loading Constants
Applicable to Gasket Materials and Designs

1. Scope
This test method will establish criteria for determining standard loading
constants that are referenced in current ASME pressure vessel design
(Section VIII, Divs. 1 and 2). These constants are specific to this design
criterion and should not be used as a guide for material selection on existing
equipment or pressure vessels.

This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment.

This standard does not purport to address safety measures associated with
its use. It is the responsibility of the organization and/or individual performing
these procedures to establish and employ appropriate safety practices that
are associated with any test procedure.

2. Applicable Documents
ASTM Standards
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
F586-79 Leak Rates Versus y stresses and m Factors for Gaskets (Originally
adopted in 1979, reapproved in 1985 and discontinued in 1989.)
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4. Significance and Use

This test method determines both the y stress and m factor as curves rather
than as single or constant numbers. Constants for use as variables in ASME
Section VIII code calculations can be derived from this data. End users may
wish to select values from the curves which reach their desired max leak
rate. Tests are often done with pre-established maximum leak rates, and the
y and m values to achieve those rates are reported. Since y values are
determined at a low pressure of 2 psig internal pressure, the predetermined
maximum leak rates for the y values are usually much lower than for the m
test.

This test method will only determine two general characteristics that are
specific to the ASME design criteria. Many other factors should be
considered when determining proper materials for existing equipment and
pressure vessels. (i.e. Temperature resistance, chemical resistance,
relaxation rates, accommodation of thermal cycling).

5. Apparatus
The test fixture or loading apparatus may consist of either bolted flanges or
fixed platens that are hydraulically actuated. A bolted joint apparatus would
entail many variables that must be accurately controlled to ensure precision
and repeatability. (i.e. Friction on threaded and load bearing surfaces,
parallelism, loading consistency, cross-bolting and multi-stage bolting
procedure). A typical rig as shown in Figure 1 would be comparable to a 4”
600 class flange conforming to ASME B16.5 standards. Any deviation from
this design must be clearly detailed in the final report to assist in drawing
conclusions on relative data. The surface finish of the sealing area shall
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7. Conditioning
7.1 Condition the gasket in accordance with classification system F104 or as
agreed upon between the purchaser and/or the manufacturer of the gasket
specimen.
7.2 Ensure flange face is clean and free of defects, scratches and/or foreign
material.

8. Procedure for Determining y  Stress

8.1 Measure and record the initial gasket thickness in inches.
8.2 Measure and record the surface finish of the flanges (see section 5)
8.3 Center the gasket on the flange face
8.4 Load gasket to 500 psi surface stress
8.5 Pressurize the fixture to 2 psi. (media must be specified in the final
reporting documentation)
8.6 Record stabilized leak rate. If leakage cannot be controlled or is in
excess of measurement device, proceed to step 8.8
8.7 Hold for 15 minutes and record leakage rate.
8.8 Raise gasket stress to next load increment.
Repeat 8.6 through 8.7 in 500 psi surface stress increments. Larger
increments can be utilized with materials known to require higher seating
loads.
8.9 Calculate the y stress as follows: y = W/A1
Where: W = Total compressive force (lbs force)
A1 = gasket area (inches 2)
8.10 Plot the leak rate versus the y stress
8.11 Record the final thickness of the gasket
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which the testing would be terminated once the load is decreased to the point
where the leakages reaches or exceeds that predetermined rate.
9.9 Depressurize fixture and terminate test.
9.10 Calculate the leak rates for initial load and each decrease as follows:
Calculate the m factor as follows: m = (W-A2P)/A1P
Where: W = Total flange loading force (lbs force)
A1 = gasket area (inches 2)
A2 = inside area of gasket
P = Test Pressure (psi)
9.11 Plot the leak rate versus m factor
9.12 Record the initial and final gasket thickness
9.13 Record the surface finish on the flange face
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Leak Rate vs. "Y" Value of < 1cc (1/8" Thick)

0.6

0.5

)
in 0.4
m
/
c
c
(
te 0.3 Leakage cc/min
a
R
k
a
e 0.2
L

0.1

0
443 886
"Y" Value

Leak Rate vs. "Y" Value (Zero Leak) 1/8" Thick

0.16

0.14

0.12
)
in
m 0.1
/
c
c
(
t 0.08
e Leakage cc/min
a
R
k 0.06
a
e
L
0.04

0.02

0
1329 1773 2216 2659 2881 3102 3324
"Y" Value

Leak Rate vs. "M" Value <1 cc (1/8" Thick)

14

12

) 10
n
i
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APPENDIX

FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of "y" Constant)

Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE
Lab 1 PTFE 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
0
500 0.0004 0.057102 0.0785 0.0018 0.0258 0.0253 N/A 0.07934 0.0901
1000 0.000018 0.006577 0.0057 0.00022 0.0041 0.0087 N/A 0.00192 0.0079
1500 0.0000006 N/A 0.0042 0.0000345 N/A 0.0043 N/A N/A 0.0039
2000 0.00000057 N/A 0.0034 0.0000339 N/A 0.0047 N/A N/A 0.0022
s
s
e
r
2500 0.00000053 N/A 0.0011 0.0000334 N/A 0.001 N/A N/A 0.001
t
S 3000 0.00000052 N/A 0.001 0.000031 N/A 0.001 N/A N/A 0.001
t
i
n 3500 0.00000051 N/A 0.001 0.0000326 N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.001
U
4000 0.000000498 N/A N/A 0.000027 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
4500 0.000000492 N/A N/A 0.0000304 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5000 0.00000048 N/A N/A 0.0000303 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5500 0.00000048 N/A N/A 0.000019 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6000 0.00000047 N/A N/A 0.000016 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
"y" N/A 963 1000 N/A 1063 1250 N/A 871 1250
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FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of "y" Constant)

Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA
Lab 1 CNA 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
0
500 0.78 0.1497 0.523 0.834 0.7131 0.8752 N/A N/A 0.8054
1000 0.247 0.0844 0.187 0.246 0.11241 0.2845 N/A N/A 0.2924
1500 0.1032 0.0337 0.1251 0.104 0.05007 0.1562 N/A N/A 0.1839
2000 0.044 0.014 0.0265 0.044 0.02168 0.0182 N/A N/A 0.0228
s
s
e
r
2500 0.01686 0.008 0.0094 0.0168 0.00931 0.0121 N/A N/A 0.0084
t
S 3000 0.00738 0.0073 0.0081 0.0074 0.00389 0.0049 N/A N/A 0.0041
t
i
n 3500 0.003348 0.0049 0.0037 0.0033 N/A 0.0029 N/A N/A 0.0027
U
4000 0.001488 N/A N/A 0.0015 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
4500 0.000666 N/A N/A 0.00067 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5000 0.00027 N/A N/A 0.00027 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5500 0.000102 N/A N/A 0.0001 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6000 0.000054 N/A N/A 0.000057 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
"m" 3250 3205 3250 3250 2787 3000 N/A N/A 2750
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FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of "m" Constant)

Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE
Lab 1 PTFE 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
6770 0.0000015 N/A N/A 0.000021 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6270 0.0000062 N/A N/A 0.000033 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5770 0.000069 N/A N/A 0.00017 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5270 0.00023 0.013 0.00015 0.00053 0.004 0.0018 N/A 0.048 0.0025
4770 0.0005 0.008 0.00129 0.000978 0.005 0.00452 N/A 0.055 0.0039
s
s
e
r
4270 0.00082 0.008 0.0027 0.001506 0.007 0.00651 N/A 0.03 0.0045
t
S 3770 0.0012 0.01 0.002 0.002106 0.004 0.0082 N/A 0.028 0.009
t
i
n 3270 0.0016 0.011 0.0034 0.002856 0.006 0.009 N/A 0.042 0.0101
U
2770 0.0022 0.01 0.0048 0.003768 0.005 0.0124 N/A 0.045 0.0185
2270 0.0032 0.014 0.0087 0.00512 0.006 0.0158 N/A 0.067 0.0379
1770 0.0052 0.016 0.0179 0.00846 0.01 0.026 N/A 0.082 0.059
1270 0.0519 0.021 0.0255 0.0064 0.016 0.0364 N/A 0.136 0.0812
770 0.078 0.045 0.092 3.24 0.037 0.077 N/A 0.356 0.095
"m" N/A
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FSA m and Y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of " m" Constant)
Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA
Lab 1 CNA 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
6770 0.002 0.123 0.0041 0.058 N/A 0.0062 N/A N/A 0.0018
6270 0.002 0.129 0.0081 0.06 0.006 0.0088 N/A N/A 0.002
5770 0.002 0.134 0.0082 0.064 0.007 0.0099 N/A N/A 0.0029
5270 0.002 0.141 0.0194 0.07 0.005 0.018 N/A N/A 0.0356
4770 0.002 0.143 0.0572 0.074 0.008 0.0196 N/A N/A 0.0893
s
s
e
r
4270 0.002 0.147 0.0852 0.079 0.008 0.0363 N/A N/A 0.1837
t
S 3770 0.002 0.149 0.381 0.086 0.005 0.1655 N/A N/A 0.3832
t
i
n 3270 0.002 0.165 0.519 0.092 0.007 0.448 N/A N/A 0.4894
U
2770 0.002 0.175 0.873 0.101 0.009 0.5941 N/A N/A 0.6068
2270 0.003 0.2 1.294 0.115 0.012 0.9191 N/A N/A 0.8429
1770 0.005 0.246 N/A 0.135 0.017 N/A N/A N/A N/A
1270 0.035 0.363 N/A 0.184 0.043 N/A N/A N/A N/A
770 1.98 0.671 N/A 1.056 0.199 N/A N/A N/A N/A
"m" 3270 3270 N/A N/A 3270
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FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of "y" Constant) cc/min/inch OD
Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE
Lab 1 PTFE 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
0
500 0.000114286 0.009517 0.01268174 0.00051429 0.0043 0.00408724 N/A 0.01322333 0.01455574
1000 5.14286E-06 0.00109617 0.00092084 6.2857E-05 0.00068333 0.00140549 N/A 0.00032 0.00127625
1500 1.71429E-07 0.00067851 9.8571E-06 0.00069467 N/A 0.00063005
2000 1.62857E-07 0.00054927 9.6857E-06 0.00075929 N/A 0.00035541
s
s
e
r
2500 1.51429E-07 0.00017771 9.5429E-06 0.00016155 N/A 0.00016155
t
S 3000 1.48571E-07 0.00016155 8.8571E-06 0.00016155 N/A 0.00016155
it
n 3500 1.45714E-07 0.00016155 9.3143E-06 N/A 0.00016155
U
4000 1.42286E-07 7.7143E-06 N/A
4500 1.40571E-07 8.6857E-06 N/A
5000 1.37143E-07 8.6571E-06 N/A
5500 1.37143E-07 5.4286E-06 N/A
6000 1.34286E-07 4.5714E-06 N/A
"y" 500 1000 1000 500 1000 1000 N/A 1000 1000
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FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of "y" Constant) cc/min/inch OD
Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA
Lab 1 CNA 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
0
500 0.222857143 0.02495 0.08449111 0.23828571 0.11885 0.14138934 N/A 0.13011309
1000 0.070571429 0.01406667 0.03021002 0.07028571 0.018735 0.04596123 N/A 0.04723748
1500 0.029485714 0.00561667 0.02021002 0.02971429 0.008345 0.02523425 N/A 0.02970921
2000 0.012571429 0.00233333 0.0042811 0.01257143 0.00361333 0.00294023 N/A 0.00368336
s
s
e
r
2500 0.004817143 0.00133333 0.00151858 0.0048 0.00155167 0.00195477 N/A 0.00135703
t
S 3000 0.002108571 0.00121667 0.00130856 0.00211429 0.00064833 0.0007916 N/A 0.00066236
t
i
n 3500 0.000956571 0.00081667 0.00059774 0.00094286 0.0004685 N/A 0.00043619
U
4000 0.000425143 0.00042857 N/A
4500 0.000190286 0.00019143 N/A
5000 7.71429E-05 7.7143E-05 N/A
5500 2.91429E-05 2.8571E-05 N/A
6000 1.54286E-05 1.6286E-05 N/A
"y" 3500 3500 3500 3500 3000 3000 N/A 3000
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FSA m and yRound Robin Test Results (Determination of "m" Constant) (cc/min/in OD) *
Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE Lab 1 PTFE Lab 2 PTFE Lab 3 PTFE
Lab 1 PTFE 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
6770 4.28571E-07 0.000006
6270 1.77143E-06 9.4286E-06
5770 1.97143E-05 4.8571E-05
5270 6.57143E-05 0.00216667 2.4233E-05 0.00015143 0.00066667 0.00029079 0.008 0.00040388
4770 0.000142857 0.00133333 0.0002084 0.00027943 0.00083333 0.00073021 0.00916667 0.00063005
s
s
e
r
4270 0.000234286 0.00133333 0.00043619 0.00043029 0.00116667 0.0010517 0.005 0.00072698
t
S 3770 0.000342857 0.00166667 0.0003231 0.00060171 0.00066667 0.00132472 0.00466667 0.00145396
it
n 3270 0.000457143 0.00183333 0.00054927 0.000816 0.001 0.00145396 0.007 0.00163166
U
2770 0.000628571 0.00166667 0.00077544 0.00107657 0.00083333 0.00200323 0.0075 0.00298869
2270 0.000914286 0.00233333 0.00140549 0.00146286 0.001 0.0025525 0.01116667 0.00612278
1770 0.001485714 0.00266667 0.00289176 0.00241714 0.00166667 0.00420032 0.01366667 0.0095315
1270 0.014828571 0.0035 0.00411955 0.00182857 0.00266667 0.00588045 0.02266667 0.01311793
770 0.022285714 0.0075 0.01486268 0.92571429 0.00616667 0.01243942 0.05933333 0.01534733
"m" 1.5 2.6 1.4 3.2 2.6 1.4 N/A 2.6 1.4
* Note: Lab 2 loads are increased to compensate for end load so the steps are not at same loads
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FSA m and y Round Robin Test Results (Determination of " m" Constant) (cc/min/in OD) *
Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA Lab 1 CNA Lab 2 CNA Lab 3 CNA
Lab 1 CNA 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3
6770 0.000571429 0.0205 0.00066236 0.01657143 0.00100162 0.00029079
6270 0.000571429 0.0215 0.00130856 0.01714286 0.001 0.00142165 0.0003231
5770 0.000571429 0.02233333 0.00132472 0.01828571 0.00116667 0.00159935 0.0004685
5270 0.000571429 0.0235 0.00313409 0.02 0.00083333 0.00290792 0.00575121
4770 0.000571429 0.02383333 0.00924071 0.02114286 0.00133333 0.0031664 0.01442649
s
s
e
r
4270 0.000571429 0.0245 0.01376414 0.02257143 0.00133333 0.0058643 0.0296769
t
S 3770 0.000571429 0.02483333 0.06155089 0.02457143 0.00083333 0.02673667 0.0619063
t
i
n 3270 0.000571429 0.0275 0.08384491 0.02628571 0.00116667 0.0723748 0.079063
U
2770 0.000571429 0.02916667 0.14103393 0.02885714 0.0015 0.09597738 0.09802908
2270 0.000857143 0.03333333 0.20904685 0.03285714 0.002 0.14848142 0.13617124
1770 0.001428571 0.041 0.03857143 0.00283333
1270 0.01 0.0605 0.05257143 0.00716667
770 0.565714286 0.11183333 0.30171429 0.03316667
"m" 3.2 2.6 9.8 3.2 2.6 8.1 N/A 8.1
* Note: Lab 2 loads are increased to compensate for end load so the steps are not at same loads