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An expert system called GMX: The Gasket Material Selection Expert was presented at the 1989 SAE Conference(1).* The capabilities of this program have since been increased tremendously by the development of a Mathematical Model which predicts physical flange distortion and gasket compression values for any bolted, gasketed flange configuration. The expert system contains the logic (Rules) and facts (Databases) needed to compare gasket material properties to application-specific requirements and to specify gasket materials that will perform best in the application. The Flange Distortion Model is used by the expert system to calculate certain quantities that are needed to compare materials for the application. This paper describes how material properties and gasket engineering are used to make a material recommendation, and how an expert system and mathematical model have been utilized to make this expertise available to the gasket specifiers.

Gasket materials, whether manufactured by the beater addition or the compressed sheet process, are inherently porous composites. The quantity and morphology of the pores existing in the structure will depend on the manufacturing specifics, the formulation and other variables. Since the primary function of the gasket is to prevent the flow of fluid, having an understanding of the type and nature of its pore structure aids in the tailoring of a material for a specific application as well as making formulation changes which will further enhance performance. Furthermore, knowledge of the pore structure as it exists in the actual flange environment should provide additional insight into gasket performance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how pore structure of gasket materials influence their performance.

Although standard physical property tests such as density, tensile, compressibility, and immersions are important, they are not indicative of how a gasket material will perform in an actual application. Therefore, four functional testing devices were built to evaluate the sealability, torque retention, required flange pressure, and chemical resistance of gasket materials.

An expert system has been designed to help transfer gasket engineering expertise from a Research and Development environment to the gasket specifying business. This paper will describe the complex requirements of today's gasket applications, how material properties and gasket engineering are used to make a material recommendation, and how an expert system has been utilized to bring this expertise to the gasket specifiers.