Sealant on AN / Flare fittings ? | FerrariChat
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Sealant on AN / Flare fittings ?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by finnerty, Aug 25, 2012.

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  1. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #1 finnerty, Aug 25, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2012
    I've got a minor leak (a few surface nicks) at some AN fittings --- oil cooler lines, so...oil @ 90 psi @ 250F --- which I was considering attempting to add some sort of thin-film sealant (e.g., Loctite 545, etc.) at the flare contact surfaces. Anyone done similar and had good results ? If so, what sealant did you use ?
     
  2. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
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    #2 Cribbj, Aug 25, 2012
    Haven't tried sealant, but there are some shims (for lack of a better term) that you can insert in the AN fittings to help them seal. Unfortunately I've forgotten who makes them and who sells them, but perhaps a Google on "AN fitting resealing" might produce something.
     
  3. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #3 smg2, Aug 25, 2012
    well.......considering it's a mechanical compression seal and sealant was not in mind when designed, I wouldn't use sealant. The washers Cribbj is referring to are for salvaging a ferrule or 'olive'. Honestly if the surface is damaged that bad then the fitting needs to be replaced.

    using an anaerobic sealant on the fitting is kinda like expecting 'O' rings to seal under thermal shock :p
     
  4. brian.s

    brian.s F1 Rookie
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    #4 brian.s, Aug 25, 2012
    Heavans NO! Replace as quoted above, only one way to correct problem fittings. Yet another reason for the practise of placing sealing caps in disconnected fittings, to protect those surfaces.
     
  5. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

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    #5 sparetireless, Aug 25, 2012
    see SECO seals on the internet, they were in costa mesa.

    Done on military aircraft all the time.
     
  6. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #6 finnerty, Aug 25, 2012
    Whoa guys ! :)

    Don't worry, I'm well aware that as an "Engineering Solution" --- putting sealant on the surfaces is bad, bad form and practice.

    I should have been more clear about about what I'm doing here....

    This is for a temporary fix. The fitting (the piping portion) is a custom deal and is NLA from any source. So, I am having a new assembly fabricated -- but, this will take about 4 weeks. So, I need a stop-gap (no pun intended) solution in the meantime to keep the piece of equipment (this is not a car, btw ;)) up and running just until I can receive and install the new piece.

    Scott ----- As for the anaerobic characteristic of the 545 sealant --- no worries --- I have that covered. The parts can easily be sealed off against air (i.e., oxygen) for the required cure time of 24 hours, then unsealed for install.
     
  7. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
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    #7 Cribbj, Aug 25, 2012
    Thank you, those are the guys I was trying to think of. I'd used their seals many moons ago, and it's a decent way to save a leaky AN fitting.

    I think Carroll Smith even recommended them in his plumbing book.....
     
  8. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #8 jm3, Aug 25, 2012
    They have even been used to adapt 37 degree AN to 45 degree US. I have never done it, but the fact that someone has successfully done so, tells you how well those little things work.
     
  9. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #9 finnerty, Aug 26, 2012
    Thanks guys ! I'll put a call in to them first thing Monday.:)
     
  10. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

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    #10 It's Ross, Aug 26, 2012
    Have you attempted to clean up the sealing surfaces?
     
  11. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
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    #11 smg2, Aug 26, 2012
    I know you knew the answer, thought about teasing you for the question but passed :D

    The only concern I have with anaerobic sealants is the required pressure and gap needed for it to cure. I figured you probably already have that info too. hard to say how it'll seal without seeing the 'damage' some scoring can act like a labrinth seal and then it's fine as well.
     
  12. NW328GTS

    NW328GTS Formula 3

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    #12 NW328GTS, Aug 27, 2012
  13. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #13 finnerty, Aug 28, 2012
    UPDATE ---- I'm having a package of seals over-nighted from SECO tomorrow. I sent them a few high-resolution photos of the fittings and the damaged areas --- they saw no reason why their seals would not work to permanently seal my fittings given my application and requirements / environment !! :)

    CRIBBJ & SPARETIRELESS ---

    I can't thank you guys enough :) You just saved me about 3 1/2 weeks of down time in my lab and about $350 in repair / replacement parts costs !!!!! I owe you each a beer (or a dozen :p) if we ever run into each other some day ! Thanks again !

    ................proving once again the value and uniqueness of our "little F-Chat community"................
     
  14. Cribbj

    Cribbj Formula 3
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    #14 Cribbj, Aug 28, 2012
    David, please post your results when finished. Unless half your flare is gone, the SECO inserts should work fine, but it would be great to get confirmation from you. Photos would be even greater (hint, hint) :)
     
  15. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

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    #15 finnerty, Aug 30, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2012
    The seals were installed early this morning, and so far so good ---- all pressure / thermal testing has passed ---- will have to see how well things hold up over time and repeated operation, though. But, I have good confidence the repair will be fine.

    You can contact SECO directly, and ask them to provide you with details and test photos showing the type and extent of damaged fittings they have had success with repairing with their various seals.

    Unfortunately, I cannot post any photos of my particular application / fittings, as they are proprietary in nature --- not the fitting geometry itself, as they are standard AN profiles and sizes --- however, the materials I am using are not typical metals / alloys. It is the nature of these exotic parent materials that is confidential ---- photos would reveal the uniqueness of some of these materials' characteristics. These materials are unique because the application is that of a cryogenic cooling device. Fortunately, SECO also has experience with Aerospace customers and confidential projects / applications, so they were able to conform to our supplier requirements and regulations.

    Sorry, for all the "cloak and dagger", but rules are rules, my friends :)
     

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