Anyone in the chemical industry knows how demanding the working conditions in a workshop are. Pressure gauges are particularly troublesome; once corroded or clogged by the medium, they either cause inaccurate readings leading to production fluctuations or leaks posing safety hazards. Many factories are now using Diaphragm Seals, claiming they can "protect" the instruments, ensuring long-term stable operation under such harsh conditions.
The key to stable operation in chemical environments is first and foremost withstanding media corrosion. With ordinary seals, leaks occur within three months due to acetic acid corrosion, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses due to instrument replacement and downtime. With Diaphragm Seals, the situation changes completely—the diaphragm directly contacts the acetic acid, with a smooth and tight surface, leaving no gaps for media penetration.
The high pressure and vibration in chemical workshops are the "second hurdle" for seals. For example, in high-pressure polyethylene production lines, pipeline pressure is often maintained above 10MPa, accompanied by high-frequency vibrations from equipment operation. Ordinary seals are easily loosened by these vibrations, leading to leaks. However, Diaphragm Seals uses a "one-piece molding" structure, with the diaphragm and flange directly welded together, eliminating seams, and reinforced with a spring to assist the seal. Next to the high-pressure pipelines in the workshop, we saw the diaphragm seal firmly attached to the instrument interface; when the equipment was running, it only vibrated slightly to the touch, and there wasn't a single drop of oil on the seal.
In chemical workshops, high-temperature steam pipelines often exceed 150℃. Ordinary seals soften and age, losing their elasticity quickly. However, Diaphragm Seals have been specially treated for high-temperature conditions. For example, a heat insulation layer is added to the back of the diaphragm to prevent high temperatures from being conducted into the instrument. The diaphragm itself is made of high-temperature resistant material, so it will not deform or age even after prolonged exposure to high-temperature steam.
In chemical production, viscous media such as resins and slurries are particularly prone to clogging instrument interfaces, leading to malfunctioning readings. Diaphragm Seals' key anti-clogging feature is its "smooth flow channel" design—the diaphragm surface is polished exceptionally smooth, preventing media buildup and ensuring a seamless flow without dead zones. Even viscous resins can pass through smoothly without clogging the seal.
Chemical production demands continuous operation, and cumbersome seal maintenance is unacceptable. Diaphragm Seals are designed for ease of use: a viewing window allows for easy inspection of diaphragm damage; some models also include a pressure monitoring port, enabling seal performance testing without disassembling the entire unit.
