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This paper aims to prevent gasket sealing failure in engineering, accurately predict gasket life, extend system life and improve sealing reliability. The accelerated life test method of flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets is established, the life distribution law of flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets is revealed, and the life prediction method of flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets with different allowable leakage rates is proposed, which can provide a reference for the life prediction of other types of gaskets.

In this study, flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets were tested for long-term high-temperature sealing performance on a multi-sample gasket accelerated life test rig. The data were also analyzed using the least squares method and the K-S hypothesis calibration method. A gasket time-dependent leakage model and an accelerated life model were also developed. Constant stress-accelerated life tests were conducted on flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets. On this basis, a gasket life prediction method at different allowable leakage rates was proposed.

The life distribution law of flexible graphite composite–reinforced gaskets is revealed. The results show that the life of the gasket obeys the Weibull distribution. The time-correlated leakage model and accelerated life model of the gasket were established. And the accelerated life test method of the flexible graphite composite–reinforced gasket was established. The life distribution parameters, accelerated life model parameters and life estimates of gaskets were obtained through tests. On this basis, a gasket life prediction method under different leakage rates was proposed, which can be used as a reference for other types of gaskets.

The research in this paper can better provide guidance for the use and replacement of gaskets in the project, which is also very meaningful for predicting the leakage condition of gaskets in the bolted flange connection system and taking corresponding control measures to reduce energy waste and pollution and ensure the safe operation of industrial equipment.

A multi-specimen gasket-accelerated life test device has been developed, and the design parameters of the device have reached the international advanced level. The life distribution law of the flexible graphite composite–reinforced gasket was revealed. The accelerated life test method for the flexible graphite composite–reinforced gasket was established. The life prediction method of the flexible graphite composite–reinforced gasket under different allowable leakage rates was proposed.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2023-0254/

This study aims to introduce a new modified method for estimating steam turbine high pressure (HP)-intermediate pressure (IP) leakage flow based on the experimental data extracted from a 250 MW re-heat steam turbine.

Effects of measurement uncertainties on the test results are investigated and key parameters are specified via a new modified method to diminish the test uncertainties. The recommended method is based on a constant IP turbine pressure ratio at the same loads. Considering this assumption, it was found that the turbine pressure ratio can be achieved in the second and the third tests with a much longer duration.

The results showed that the cross-over temperature is a major parameter in the leakage flow estimation tests, whereas hot reheat and cross-over pressures are the next priorities. It was also observed that as the cross-over temperature varies by 1°C, the estimated leakage flow error significantly differs by up to 72.6 per cent.

It is concluded that the present modified HP-IP leakage flow estimation method seems to be more accurate in comparison with previously proposed methods in literature.

The carbon/carbon (C/C) composite finger seal experiment was performed on a high-speed seal tester. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the leakage and wear characteristics of C/C composite finger seal under various operating conditions.

Static, dynamic, endurance and post endurance tests were carried out. For static and performance tests, the pressure differential changed from 0.1 to 0.6 MPa and the rotor speed varied from 1,000 to 9,000 r/min. Two endurance tests were conducted for 4 h, with each mounting two finger seals. The seal leakage was monitored by mass flowmeters, and the wear depth was measured and calculated by using three-dimensional profilometer.

Results showed that the seal leakage increases with pressure differential but decreases with rotor speed. Leakage rate is lower when speed is decelerated than that with the speed stepped up. During a time history, material removal caused by wear has significant influence on leakage data causing higher leakage than the results before endurance test. Particular interest is that the uneven wear characteristic on finger foot bottom was firstly revealed, showing severe wear in foot heel area than that in foot toe.

This study could provide experimental guidance for finger seal designers. Additionally, the uneven wear characteristic of finger foot was firstly revealed, which showed the necessity of further theoretical research on finger seal wear.

The purpose of this paper is to employ the acoustic wave propagation method for leakage detection in pipes. The first objective is to use acoustic finite element analysis (AFEA) method to simulate acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in an intact pipe and in pipes with leaks of various sizes. This is followed by the second objective which is to validate the effectiveness and the practicability of the acoustic wave method via experimental testing. The third objective involves the decomposition and de-noising of the measured acoustic waves using stationary wavelet transform (SWT). It is shown that this approach, which is used for the first time on leakage detection in pipes, can be used to identify, locate and estimate the size of a leakage defect in a pipe.

The research work was designed inline with best practices and acceptable standards. The research methodology focusses on five basic areas: literature review; experimental measurements; simulations; data analysis and writing-up of the study with clear-cut communication of the findings. The approach used was acoustic wave propagation-based method in conjunction with SWT for leakage detection in fluid-filled pipe.

First, the simulation of acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in fluid-filled pipes with and without leakage have great potential in leakage detection in pipeline systems and can detect very small leaks of 1 mm diameter. Second, the measured noise-contaminated acoustic wave propagation in a fluid-filled pipe can be successfully de-noised using the SWT method in order to clearly identify and locate leakage as little as 5 mm diameter in a pipe. Third, AFEA of a fluid-filled pipe can be achieved with the simulation of only the fluid content of the pipe and without the inclusion of the pipe in the model. This eliminates contact interaction of the solid pipe walls and the fluid, and as a consequence reduces computational time and resources. Fourth, the relationship of the ratio of the leakage diameter to the ratio of the first and second secondary wave amplitudes caused by the leakage can be represented by a second-order polynomial function. Fifth, the identification of leakage in a pipe is intuitive from mere comparison of the acoustic waveforms of an intact pipe with that of a pipe with a leakage.

The research work is a novelty and was developed from the scratch. The AFEA of acoustic wave propagation and acoustic wave reflectometry in a static fluid-filled pipe, and the SWT method have been used for the first time to detect, locate and estimate the size of a leakage in a fluid-filled pipe.

Modern electronics is characterised by the increasing level of integration in printed circuit board (PCB) technology and the reduced insulation spacing between adjacent conductors. Surface insulation resistance (SIR) measurement has often been used alone to determine the cleanliness of PCB assembly; however, when proper SIR measurement is used in conjunction with surface leakage current (SLC) measurement, the result can reveal the dynamic nature of surface electrochemical migration (SECM) processes at the microscopic level, and the effect of such processes on product quality and reliability. This paper presents a newly developed measurement methodology, which measures SLC per square unit area at a sampling rate that is orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional SIR measurement methods. It is aimed to capture the transient surge of SLC which is detrimental to the functionality of product.

In this paper, it is shown that the so‐called in‐situ electrical measurement technique is a valuable tool for understanding failure mechanisms in thick film dielectrics. The technique makes it possible to measure important electrical characteristics of thick film dielectric systems in the temperature range from room temperature up to 900°C. This information is essential to understand failure mechanisms and to optimise the system with respect to quality and reliability. Mainly two electrical properties have been investigated: (i) the electrical resistance of the dielectric as a function of temperature and (ii) the spontaneous electromotive force occurring at higher temperatures between two metal layers with the dielectric in between. A significant result of the work is the observation of a close correlation between the leakage current measured through the dielectric at elevated temperatures, and the ability of the dielectric to resist shorting and blistering effects during the preparation of circuits. Secondly, from in‐situ voltage measurements, it was confirmed that the mixed metallurgy system Au(bottom)‐dielectric‐Ag(top) acts at 850°C as a spontaneous battery, and the battery voltage (i.e., the spontaneous electromotive force) was measured. Depending on the type of dielectric, a battery voltage up to 200 mV between the two metal layers was observed. As a result of this spontaneous electromotive force, blistering occurs. The battery voltage was shown to be much smaller in unmixed metallurgy systems with Ag(bottom)‐dielectric‐Ag(top) or Au(bottom)‐dielectric‐Au(top). However, if an external voltage of 300 mV is applied to such a system during a temperature profile up to 850°C, blisters can also be induced. This shows unambiguously that blistering is a voltage driven effect.

A joint paper by G. L. HARTING, of Exxon Research and Engineering Company and T. C. WILSON, Exxon Company of USA present a joint paper at the National Lubricating Grease Institute annual general meeting.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the friction and sealing characteristics of narrow end face seal ring with spiral grooves for wet clutch by experiment.

The shallow spiral grooves are machined in the end face of narrow seal ring by laser, and all of other parameters of specimens are the same with the actual production. The investigation of friction and sealing characteristics are carried out by comparing the experiment results of end face seal ring with spiral grooves with the conventional seal ring without spiral grooves through friction coefficient test, volume leakage rate test and pv value test.

Comparing with conventional seal ring without spiral grooves, seal ring with spiral grooves experiences boundary lubrication, mixed lubrication and fluid film lubrication with the increase of rotation speed, whereas the conventional seal ring only experiences mixed lubrication. Besides this, the volume leakage rate is slightly larger, but the pv value is much larger than that of conventional seal ring.

Effect of spiral grooves on the friction and sealing characteristics of narrow end face seal ring for wet clutch is investigated. The improved lubrication performance can be achieved by shallow spiral grooves even if the distance of radius difference used to machine grooves is very small.

This paper aims to examine the stock return behaviour around the bonus issue announcements in eight emerging markets for 2010–2019 by addressing the signalling, cash substitution and liquidity hypotheses.

Besides using the standard event study technique to test the presence of an anomaly, country-based regression analyses are performed. Firm-specific factors are used to understand the motive behind the anomaly observed pre- and post-announcement periods. Also, the Amihud illiquidity measure examines the liquidity hypothesis, while standardized profitability and investment ratios compare the long-run operational performance of bonus issuers to test the validity of signalling.

The findings provide evidence that abnormal returns can be detected ten days before the announcement in some countries, which is a sign of information leakage. The presence of the effect continues only in two countries after the announcement is released. The size of the bonus issue is found strongly significant in most countries, while a weak relation between abnormal return and other factors is detected. Moreover, the signalling hypothesis does not hold in the sense of long-run profitability increase, while liquidity assertion is partially presented.

Due to an inadequate number of announcements in other emerging markets, the number of sample countries is limited by eight.

The research is novel regarding analyzing a wide range of emerging countries with various variables. Also, the paper is distinguished from other studies by applying multiple set of regressions under nine different event windows.

Seepage of the dam is an important safety problem, which may cause internal erosion of the structure. In the field of seepage monitoring in civil engineering, the distributed optical fiber sensing technology based on the temperature tracing method has been paid more attention due to its unique advantages of high sensitivity, good stability and high resolution. The purpose of this paper is to make a review of the existing related research, so as to facilitate the later scholars to understand and further study more systematically.

In this paper, three kinds of commonly used distributed fiber temperature measurement technologies are introduced. Based on the working principle, monitoring system, theoretical analysis, experimental research and engineering application of the fiber seepage monitoring technology, the present situation of dam seepage monitoring based on distributed fiber is reviewed in detail and their advantages and disadvantages are compared.

The thermal monitoring technology of seepage measurement depends on the accuracy of optical fiber temperature measurement (including the accuracy of the system and the rationality of the discrimination method), the correct installation of optical fiber and the quantitative analysis of temperature data. The accuracy of the current monitoring system can basically meet the existing measurement requirements, but the correct installation of optical fiber and the calibration of temperature data need to be further studied for different discrimination methods, and this field has great research value.

At present, there are many applications and research studies of optical fiber sensing in the field of structural health monitoring, and there are also reviews of related aspects. However, there is little or no review only in the field of seepage monitoring. This paper summarizes the research and application of optical fiber sensing in the field of seepage monitoring. The possibility of the gradient method to find its new prospect with the development of monitoring systems and the improvement of temperature resolution is discussed. The idea of extending the seepage monitoring method based on distributed optical fiber thermal monitoring technology to other monitoring fields is also given in the paper.