Torque required to tighten the cap for leak proof

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the torque required to tighten a polypropylene cap with an EPDM rubber seal to ensure it is leak-proof under a water pressure of approximately 600N. Participants explore different approaches to calculate the necessary torque and the percentage of seal compression required for leak-proofing.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the torque needed to achieve leak-proofing and the required seal compression percentage.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the desired compression of the rubber seal to estimate the force, which can then be used to estimate the torque needed.
  • A participant mentions calculating a 40% compression of the seal, leading to a torque estimate of ~20Nm, while a lead screw torque calculation yields ~65Nm, causing confusion.
  • Concerns are raised about the discrepancy in torque estimates potentially being due to friction, prompting questions about whether friction was considered in the calculations.
  • Participants share equations used for their calculations, including those for frictional force, compressive force, and torque, with one participant providing specific formulas leading to different torque results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate method for calculating torque, with no consensus reached on which approach is more valid or accurate. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best calculation method to ensure leak-proofing.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential variations in friction coefficients and assumptions regarding seal material properties, which may affect the torque calculations. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

Acchu
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Hello Anyone,
Could you help me in finding the torque req. for a cap to leak proof?
My cap (polyproplene) which dia. was 32mm and its detail specs are,
thread major dia.- 28.5mm, min. dia. - 26mm, pitch - 3mm, thread angle-45deg
which has a EPDM rubber seal placed inside (outer dia 26.5mm & inner dia-18.5mm with thick 1.5mm)

I want to know.. what should be the torque required to tighten the cap, so that It will be leak proof? or in other way what is the % of seal compression req. for leak proof? to handle the water pressure of ~600N in a plastic container.
 
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Acchu said:
Hello Anyone,
Could you help me in finding the torque req. for a cap to leak proof?
My cap (polyproplene) which dia. was 32mm and its detail specs are,
thread major dia.- 28.5mm, min. dia. - 26mm, pitch - 3mm, thread angle-45deg
which has a EPDM rubber seal placed inside (outer dia 26.5mm & inner dia-18.5mm with thick 1.5mm)

I want to know.. what should be the torque required to tighten the cap, so that It will be leak proof? or in other way what is the % of seal compression req. for leak proof? to handle the water pressure of ~600N in a plastic container.

What approach should I consider? Shall I go with lead screw torque calc.? or any other
 
You should calculate how much you want to compress the interior rubber seal, this should give you an estimate of force, and from there you can estimate the torque needed to achieve the desired compression force on the seal.
 
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Mech_Engineer said:
You should calculate how much you want to compress the interior rubber seal, this should give you an estimate of force, and from there you can estimate the torque needed to achieve the desired compression force on the seal.
Thanks for your suggestion. As per the water pressure, I suppose to compress the seal by 40% based on this if I directly estimate the torque I'll get ~20Nm. If I use torque formula of lead screw concept, I'll get ~65Nm. So got confused. Guide me which way I need to go
 
The discrepancy in torque may have to do with friction, are you taking friction into account when calculating the required screw torque?
 
Mech_Engineer said:
The discrepancy in torque may have to do with friction, are you taking friction into account when calculating the required screw torque?
Yeah. I consider frictional force of thread engagement too while doing torque and got the result of ~20Nm. Hope in lead screw torque Calc. approach also friction parameter will be considered right?
 
Acchu said:
Yeah. I consider frictional force of thread engagement too while doing torque and got the result of ~20Nm. Hope in lead screw torque Calc. approach also friction parameter will be considered right?

What equations are you using for each calculation?
 
Mech_Engineer said:
What equations are you using for each calculation?
For thread engagement force :
Frictional force, Ff = m g (sin α + μ cos α)

For comp. of seal :
E = Stress / Strain
Stress = E*Strain
Force/Area = E*Strain
Force = E*Strain*Area

Resultant force = Frictional force + Comp. force

And the Compressive torque, Tc = K x Force x d (where k=Coeff. Friction of seal & d=PCD of seal)
Here I got 20Nm

2nd approach of lead screw torque formula:
Torque = F*Dm/2*(L+u*PI*DM)/(PI*Dm-u*L)
I got 60Nm.