Thermal stresses have been evaluated in a nonmetallic gasket specimen by an experiment which employs a new thin foil stainless steel, compression resistant, heater of low heat capacity. Experimental results are predictable from a theoretically derived equation. An equation has also been derived for the thermal loads in a gasketed joint assembly. It considers the coefficients of linear expansion and stiffness coefficients for the bolt, gasket, and flange. The equation is discussed as a part of a rational engineering design procedure for calculating thermal loads in a joint assembly.
