Winter 2022
No.42

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● Customer Solutions《Contribution》● Product Introductions● On the Publication of the WinterIssue of Valqua Technology News

● Customer Solutions● Product Introductions

VALQUA, LTD. Chairman & CEO
Toshikazu Takisawa

Director, Managing Executive Officer CTO & CQO
Mutsuo Aoki・
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Results of airtightness test after flangetightening training・
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Appropriate Tightening Method of Gaskets・・・・7● Digital Solutions

IP Landscape Initiatives・
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・12

https://www.valqua.co.jp

Applications of PTFE nanofibers
for flexible devices・
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ＶＡＬＦＬＯＮ™ lined steel pipes
Gasketless mechanism・
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● Recent Technology News Back Issues・

New Year’s Message
VALQUA, LTD.
Chairman & CEO

Toshikazu Takisawa
I would like to start by wishing all of you the best in 2022 and thanking
our regular readers for all their support.
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a serious impact on
economic and social activities. Vaccines were developed and rolled out tocombat the virus, but as evidenced by the emergence of variants and the need for booster vaccines,
this New Normal that we are navigating requires new modes of action. Meanwhile, as noteworthy
global trends, this year witnessed an unprecedented boom in demand for semiconductors, as well as
diverse environmental movements and a growing interest in issues of economic security. I imagine thatthese matters were of deep interest to our readers. As for environmental issues, Valqua has expressed
our support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures（TCFD）, and we plan to implement a variety of related activities and to improve our reporting fromthis perspective.

Winter 2022
No.42

As symbolized by the idea of the Great Reset, virtually all values are undergoing rapid and significant
changes. The Valqua Group will continue to develop our business activities in a way that meets our
stakeholders’ expectations by refining our sensitivity to the surrounding environment and continuing
to transform into a company that can enact a quick response to changes in that environment. Against
this backdrop, our group’s technology development activities are not bound by past practices orexperiences of success; rather, they focus on communication with the outside world and incorporate
ideas from outside of the group. Last year, this resulted in our announcing capital and businessalliances related to multiple technology developments. I hope that this new framework will produce
technological development results that will serve as new pillars for the group in the near future.
I stated in my message in last year’s issue that we would position 2021 as the first year oftransformation. Over the last year, we have indeed implemented several initiatives in the aim ofcorporate transformation（CX）, including those mentioned above. This year, we will build on thisfoundation to accelerate our further transformation by promoting DX（Digital transformation）, and we
will undertake company-wide activities to create value that can contribute to the development oftoday’s society, where digitalization is accelerating.
Valqua has elected to participate in the Prime Market, which is slated to begin in April 2022 as part of
the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s new market reorganization.
Under this new framework, we will further evolve our management philosophy based on The ValquaWay, and we will move forward toward our centennial in 2027 to further increase the value that weoffer our stakeholders by becoming a company of challengers that takes on the future and theunknown.
To conclude this message, I would like extend to you my best wishes for this new year, ask for yourcontinued support, and express my hopes for the continued development of our readers.
1

On the Publication of the Winter Issue ofValqua Technology News

I would like to thank all of you for following Valqua Technology News, and I offer you my best
wishes for 2022.
Last year, the global COVID-19 pandemic continued unabated, causing significant impacts on global
industry. But amid all this, the pandemic resulted in progress in the construction of a service
infrastructure using IT technology and in the development of communication tools, and new businessand project processes have become standardized as well. Meanwhile, the business environment
around us reflects a growing interest in sustainability, and I am aware that there are a variety oftechnical discussions around the achievement of carbon neutrality. Also, with networks creating
connections between all conceivable things, the management of the information obtained throughthese networks has become an important business issue. The supply and demand of semiconductors
and related components also came to be discussed from the BCP perspective, a new phenomenon thisyear.

We have accumulated technologies in the fields of seal engineering and material design through ourmany years of technical activities. Our CX activities in technology development in the future will bebased on these technologies, and we will use the open innovation described above to evolve further.
Specifically, we intend to use techniques such as materials informatics to create materials with new
functions and fuse them with digital information to lead to the construction of new services. One
example of this, as mentioned in our previous issue, is developing technology for predictive
maintenance using the IoT. Development has already reached the stage where the technology isready to be introduced to the public, and we hope you look forward to seeing these solutions put touse in actual production sites in the near future.
Under such circumstance, this issue of Technology News will cover application technologies for sealengineering — which was the starting point for Valqua’s technology — and sensing technology using
new materials as well as methods to consider the appropriate direction for future technology
development from the IP perspective. I hope you all find these articles helpful, and I appreciate yourcontinued support of our products and services and for Valqua Technology News.
Director, Managing Executive Officer CTO & CQO

Mutsuo Aoki
2

Winter 2022

Amid such a business environment, for the last year we have been promoting a variety of initiatives
under the concept of Corporate Transformation（CX）in order to achieve the major goals we have set
for the 100th anniversary of our founding in 2027. In the area of technology development, we will
focus more closely on the open innovation activities that we have already begun in order tosuccessfully evolve into an H&S company. In an era where technology is developing at an extremely
fast pace, it is essential that we implement agile, high-quality technology development so that we cancontinuously deliver new technology solutions to customers. That’s why Valqua believes that it isessential to consider collaboration with research institutions, academia, and companies that possess
excellent technologies, both in Japan and overseas, with no restrictions on the format. This is also thefoundation for the system of collaboration with technology venture companies that we have alreadyannounced.

No.42

Results of airtightness test after flangetightening training

1. Introduction
We are a facility that conducts plant maintenance of
which there are not many within Nippon Express Co.,
Ltd., and working hard as the main contractor of daily
maintenance tasks and periodic repair work（SDMwork）to ensure the safety and stable operation inchemical plants.
In a chemical plant, there are many flange connections

Winter 2022

（hereinafter, abbreviated as“flange”）to connect themain parts of equipment（heat exchanger, reaction

Figure3

Inside view ⑵ of VALQUA Seal Training Center™

vessel, tanks, pumps, valves, etc.）and piping.

has been to eliminate leaking at airtightness tests.

Tasks to open and tighten flanges account for a

However, on-site confirmation（such as hammering）

substantial proportion of daily maintenance tasks andafter implementation of work requires time and effort.

periodic repair work, and as a long-term issue, the goal

There have been many times that we inconvenienced
our clients because it took many days to successfully

No.42

pass the airtightness test.
In addition, since it is a chemical plant, it is necessary
to make the various operators aware about theimportance of flange tightening because some inner
fluids may be harmful and there is a possibility of amajor disaster if there is a leak during plant operation.
When we were starting to investigate measures for
Figure1 Outside view of the VALQUA Seal Training Center™（Nara）

improvement, we were introduced by Toyo Sangyo, Co.
Ltd. that VALQUA has training equipment. We visited
VALQUA’s Seal Training Center™（STC）in Nara andexperienced the training. Then, we considered theintroduction of this training equipment hoping that it
could be used to resolve our issues.
We handle a diverse range of gaskets, but we specified
the one that is used the most, No. GF300 to be
implemented.
This report is about the utilization status of“Flange

Figure23

Inside view ⑴ of VALQUA Seal Training Center™

tightening training”and its results.

Customer Solutions《Contribution》

2. U
 tilization of flange tightening training equipment（Settings for JIS10K 100A No.GF300）
2-1）Settings for evaluation criteriaFirstly, to utilize the flange tightening training
equipment, proficiency was ranked into 3 levels usingstars to clarify the proficiency judged by training
results.
“☆☆☆”Pass············· Can conduct flange tightening“☆☆”Level 2··········· C an conduct tightening under
the advice of a team leader
Target value 28.2kN“☆”Level 3················ Cannot conduct flange tightening

85% of the target value 24.0kN

Figure5 Tightening axial force distribution of sheet gasket（No.GF300）

Criteria for each rank were as follows:“☆☆☆”························· Torque value of bolts ① to ⑧ iswithin 90±5N·m, and no tendency2-2）Training method① Explanation of tightening methodof uneven tightening according

Explain the method of tightening in a diagonal

to the line graph.

pattern and increasing the torque in 3 steps.
② Explanation of evaluation criteria

between 90±5N·m and 90±10N·m,

Explain 2-1, and explain why under 80N·m isand no tendency of unevenconsidered as a failure.

tightening according to the line
graph.

③ Training procedure
After each trainee acquires the sense of torque“☆”···································· Torque value of bolts ① to ⑧ isunder 80N·m or over 100N·m.

values using the torque-sensor training device（See photograph）, they are tested on the flangetightening training device（Photograph attached）
and when this is completed, the results are
printed out on the spot for evaluation.

Bolt axial force［kN］

Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt
Bolt

Time［s］

Figure4 Sheet gasket（No.GF300）tightening axial force over time

Winter 2022“☆☆”······························· Torque value of bolts ① to ⑧ isFigure6Torque-sensor training device
4

No.42

Results of airtightness test after flange tightening training

Figure7

Figure10

Scene from training（3）Figure11

Scene from training（4）Flange-tightening training device

Winter 2022
No.42

3. Results of flange-tightening training
3-1）Situation of the operators’skill level
Figure8

Scene from training（1）Table1Year

Training pass rate

successful
No. of trainees No. of
trainees

Pass rate

2017

568

224

39.5％

2018

559

240

43.0％

2019

562

264

47.0％

2020

557

267

48.0％

2021

563

284

50.5％

Five years have passed since we implemented flangetightening training. It started with a test format asshown in Table1, but in the beginning, rather thanFigure95

Scene from training（2）find operators that passed, we looked for those that

Customer Solutions《Contribution》

didn’t and restricted them from conducting flangetightening. This led to a significant drop in the number

4. Conclusionof leakage sites.

Further issues for the future would be that while thePrior to implementation, we asked operators to work

test for the training is conducted under good conditions

on flange tightening based on their years offor conducting tightening tasks regarding the site andexperience or an estimation based on how the flange

position, in the actual field, tightening tasks at such good

looked, but being able to“visualize”with the training

conditions would be less than half the total. There is an

was one of the outcomes that were achieved

advantage that flange leaks at bad conditions stand out

immediately after implementing the training.

and places that require caution become clear, but toThis will continue to be part of the education program

reduce the number of leakage sites, we feel that it isbefore the start of periodic repair works.

necessary to create an environment similar to the actual
field for the training equipment and build up the skills of3-2）Transition in number of leakage sites atperiodic repair works

each operator.
In addition, we would like to focus on the status of theTable2 shows how the number of leakage sites atflanges（rusted, surface corrosion, distorted flanges, etc.）

periodic repair works changed from before training

and of the bolts and nuts（the screw of the bolt is

implementation until now.

rusted, etc.）and consult with the client to aim toTable2

No. of faulty
No. oftightening sites airtightness sites

Pass rate

improve the quality of our work and increase customer
satisfaction.
The target number of people receiving training is about

2017

8500

400

95.0％

2018

8500

400

95.0％

autumn periodic repair works, respectively. This

2019

8500

280

96.7％

requires more discussion on how to secure the days and

2020

8500

240

97.2％

times.

2021

8500

180

97.9％

300 each for the spring periodic repair works andIn closing, I would like to thank VALQUA, Ltd. for
manufacturing this equipment and conducting
maintenance every year, and offering us an opportunity
to report, along with the staff in connection with
distributor Toyo Sangyo Co., Ltd. We wish for continued
cooperation in solving issues in the future as well.

Shinya Kiriyama
Nippon Express Co. Ltd.
Shunan Branch, Heavy Machinery & Construction Section

6

Winter 2022

Year

Transition of number of faulty airtightness sites

No.42

Appropriate Tightening Method of
Gaskets
Training Center are gathering attention.

1. Introduction

This report will introduce a summary of items that

Appropriate maintenance of high pressure vessels is

require careful attention for gasket tightening based on

indispensable for safe operation of the plant. The fluids

trouble caused by flange tightening.

handled may have flammable, flammable, explosive,
toxic, and other properties so leaks can lead to disasters

the numerous flange tightening sites within the plant.

Winter 2022

However, the current situation is that the number ofharmful accidents caused by flange tightening has notdecreased. Table1 and Figure1 show the analysis ofhigh-pressure gas accidents in Japan. As these statistics
indicate, the total number of accidents due to poor
maintenance of facilities is not showing a decreasing

No.42

Ratio

daily management to ensure appropriate tightening of

No. of cases

and accidents. Therefore, plant operators are conducting

Figure1 No. of cases and ratio of flange tightening related accidents

trend, and about 30% of that constituent factor is due to“flange tightening causes”. Therefore, appropriate flangetightening is one of the major issues for the safe

2. Troubles related to gasket tightening

operation of a plant.

Analysis of the cause of trouble that occurred in actual

To increase the skills and knowledge related to flange

gasket work cases found that the major causes weretightening, establishing standards regarding gasket

insufficient tightening, excessive tightening, and uneven1）

fitting represented by ASME PCC-1 and training

tightening.

programs for gasket tightening tasks like the Seal

Insufficient tightening is the state where the appropriate

Table1 No. of cases of accidents due to poor maintenance of facilities

surface pressure is not on the entire gasket. It is

Insufficient Flange
Test
Vesselcorrosion tightening control Inspection control
failurecontrolcausesfailurefailure
104
72
22
37
14

common in flat face flanges or when flange or bolt

Year
2020

Total
249

strength is insufficient. In addition, a decrease in gasket
surface pressure due to stress relaxation may lead to

2019

155

84

13

35

10

297

2018

124

99

19

35

13

290

leakage and damage due to the gasket being unable to

2017

113

97

29

30

8

277

2016

109

109

20

42

10

290

resist internal pressure and being pushed out by the

2015

93

60

31

17

21

222

2014

78

55

19

11

16

179

of a blowout gasket.

2013

80

56

28

16

20

200

2012

65

59

65

8

11

208

Conversely, gasket destruction may occur if gaskets are

2011

67

66

66

8

20

227

Source: METI“Summary of High Pressure Related Accidents”

7

fluid（blow out）
. Figure2 shows the external appearance

tightened excessively. This is especially common influorocarbon resin envelope gaskets. As shown inCustomer Solutions

Figure3, many circumferential cracks are generated anddestroyed, leading to leakage.

3. Standards for the tightening procedures

Uneven t tightening refers to a state in which the gasket

In general, multiple bolts of pipe flanges are tightened,surface pressure becomes uneven. If sections of the

but the tightening task is normally conducted one-by-gasket are insufficiently tightened or excessively

one. The axial force of a bolt of the tightened flanges

tightened, this causes partial leakage, ruptures, andchanges upon the tightening of other bolts, and the axial

deformities. Figure4 shows uneven tightening. In thisforce decreases in many cases. This phenomenon iscase, tightening strength was low in some sections, andcalled elastic interaction. The effect of elastic interaction

friction between the flange and gasket decreased,is minimized by repeated multiple tightening to adjust

causing leakage by being pushed out with internal

the target bolt tightening load.

pressure.

ASME PCC-11） and JIS B 22512） are introduced as

These failures are all caused by Inappropriate

standards that show multiple tightening procedures.

tightening and highlight the importance of tightening

ASME PCC-11）and JIS B 22512）standards perform diagonal

management. Therefore, we will introduce basic

tightening after circular tightening. Diagonal tightening

tightening procedures and control methods to conduct

effectively prevents uneven tightening of the gasket byappropriate tightening tasks.

increasing the tightening torque in stages. Tightening ina circular pattern reduces the inconsistent tightening
load due to elastic interactions in adjacent bolts.
2251 is a standard that enables even more efficient andaccurate tightening than the ASME PCC-11） establishedearlier. In ASME, all bolts are tightened during diagonaltightening, but in JIS, only 4 to 8 bolts are tightened. It is

Figure2 Case of gasket blowout due to insufficient tightening

more efficient when the number of bolts is large.
Regarding the circular tightening at the target torque,
ASME is until the nut stops rotating, but JIS sets anupper limit on the number of times. Furthermore,setting in JIS the target torque to 110% when thenumber of bolts is 12 or more is also a technique forquickly achieving the target bolt axial force. The JIS B
2251’s applicable range is joint sheet gaskets and spiral
Table2 Tightening procedures in JIS B 2251 and ASME PCC-1

Figure3 Case of compression failure due to excessive tightening

JIS B 2251
StagesProcedures

Preliminary
Only 4 or 8 target bolts
tightening Stage-wise, diagonal tightening
All bolts tightened in acircular pattern 100％
Target torque is 110%
Main
for over 12 bolts
tightening

Figure4 C ase of deformity due to uneven tightening（insufficient tightening in a section）

Winter 2022

Table2 compares ASME PCC-11）and JIS B 22512）. JIS B

ASME PCC-1
StagesProcedures

Preliminary
tightening
Rounds1 to 3All bolts
Snag torque（≤20%）
All bolts are tightened in a
step-wise diagonal pattern

All bolts tightened in aRound 4 circular pattern 100％
No. of times going（Until the nut does not rotate）
around: 4 to 6 cycles
After 4 hours passes,
same of tightening as theAfter 4 hours passes,
Additional
main tightening
Round 5same tightening astightening
No. of times going
Round 4around: 1 to 2 cycles
Snag torque: Necessary torque to firmly attach the bolt seating surface

8

No.42

Appropriate Tightening Method of Gaskets

wound gaskets. However, our in-house experimental

friction with the seating, and axial force of the bolt isresults confirmed that this is also applicable for High

controlled using devices such as ultrasonic axial force

Performance Non-asbestos Sheet by No.GF300 andmeters and bolt tensioners.

fluorocarbon resin sheet gaskets.

Ultrasonic axial force meters are a method thatmeasures the length of the bolt and obtains the axial

Winter 2022
No.42

4. Tightening control method

force from the difference in bolt length before and after

Quantitative tightening management methods forwhere the axial force and bolt elongation are in agaskets include a torque method, a rotation angle

proportional relationship. The method has high precision,

method, a torque gradient method, an axial force

and the measurement itself is simple, but it is necessary

management method using an ultrasonic axial force

to keep the surfaces of both ends of the bolt smooth.

meter, and a bolt tensioner. Each method has

Bolt tensioners are a method that pulls the bolt withadvantages and disadvantages, and it is necessary tohydraulic pressure until the pre-designated target axial

select a method by comprehensively determining theforce. The nut is tightened, and the hydraulic pressure isbalance among workability, construction accuracy, etc.

released to give the designated axial force. Extra bolt

Table3 shows a comparison of various control methods.

length and space are required for attaching the bolt

JIS B 1083 Rules for Bolt Tightening3） proposes thetensioner. Both ultrasonic axial force meter and bolt

torque method, rotation angle method, and torquetensioner have high precision but require time and cost.

gradient method. The torque method only controls

They are often used in important sections such as high-tightening torque using a torque wrench. It is usedpressure pipes and large diameter flanges.

widely as a simple and conventional control method.

For non-quantitative tightening, hand wrenches are used

However, about 90% of tightening torque is consumed

for small diameter flanges, and impact wrenches areby the friction of the bolt face and seating, and therefore,

used for large diameter flanges. However, experience isvariation is likely to occur depending on the frictional

required for even tightening because variation is high,properties of each material.

and it isn’t easy to control tightening strength.

The rotation angle method is a method that controls the

As a sealing manufacturer, we recommend therotation angle of the bolt by tightening. When tightening

quantitative tightening control methods shown inat the elastic region of bolts, the variation becomes more

Table3.

tightening. It is applicable only in the elastic region

significant if the rigidity of the bolts is high. Conversely,

Table3

when tightening at the plastic region, it is less likely to

Tightening control
methodbe affected by rotation angle error. Still, there is an issue
that bolts become plastically deformed and cannot bereused.

Quantitative tightening control method
Tightening indicator

Tightening region

Torque method

Tightening torque

Elastic region

Angle rotation
methodTightening rotation
angle
Tightening torquegradient of tightening
rotation angle

Elastic region
Plastic region

The torque gradient method uses the tightening rotation

Torque gradientmethodangle and tightening torque gradient as tightening

Ultrasonic axial force
meter

Bolt elongation

Elastic region

Bolt tensioner

Bolt axial force

Elastic region

indicators, and the yield load of bolts is the target value.
It is used to keep the variation in initial tightening small
and maximally utilize the elastic region of the bolt. As
with the rotation angle method of the plastic region, it isnecessary to take care not to exceed the yield point andElastic limit

5. Effect of tightening procedureon bolt axial force

proof load.

We will introduce the results evaluating bolt axial force

Axial force control of the bolt is possible with high-and gap between the flange faces with the tightening

precision tightening control because it is not affected bymethods of ASME PCC-1 and JIS B 2251４）. Tables4 and9Customer Solutions

5 show the test methods, Figure5 shows themeasurement results of bolt axial force, and Figure6
shows the measurement results between flange faces.
Gaskets were spiral wound gaskets（No.6596V）with
expanded graphite filler and joint sheet gaskets（No.6500）, dimensions are JPI Class 300 24 inch.
Figure5 shows that for No.6596V, the mean value washigher in bolt axial force and the variation was lower.
for JIS B 2251 than ASME PCC-1. This is because in JIS
B 2251 stipulates that“for spiral wound gasket, perform
circular tightening with a tightening torque of 50% after
the preliminary tightening,”and set the target torqueas110%. The gasket width of spiral wound gaskets is[kN]○No.6596V
No.1[kN]○No.6596V
No.1○JPI Class300 24inch
No.24150
No.2○JPI Class300 24inch
No.24150
No.2
No.23
No.3
No.23
No.3
No.22
No.4
No.22
No.4
100
100
No.21
No.5
No.21
No.5
50
No.20
No.6
50
No.20
No.6
No.19
No.19

0

No.18
No.18

No.8

No.20
No.20No.20

50

tightening because the compression amount is high. In

No.19
No.19No.19

00

ASME PCC-1, circular tightening is until the nut does

No.18
No.18No.18

of going around is higher for JIS B 2251.
as shown in the results for bolt axial force, for No.6596V,
the tightening procedures for JIS B 2251 had a smaller
gap between faces. In addition, regarding the variation of
the gap between flange faces, the tightening proceduresfor ASME PCC-1 did not show a variation as large asthat for bolt axial force.
Table4
GasketSpiral wound gasket
No.6596V

Joint sheet gasket
No.6500

Dimensions

JPI Class300 24inch
t4.5

JPI Class300 24inch
t3.0

Diameter offlange seatφ692.2

φ692.2

Bolt

M39, 24 bolts

M39, 24 bolts

Target gasket
face pressure

40MPa

40MPa

Table5Tightening procedures
JIS B 2251

Tightening stages
until target value
Tightening
procedures

Target bolts

4 stages
At preliminary tightening:
Diagonal tightening
At main tightening:
Circular tightening
At preliminary tightening:
4 bolts
At main tightening:
All bolts

Total number of stages
until completion oftightening

11 stages

Notes

Tightening at
110％ of target torque

50

No.6
No.6 No.6

0

No.7
No.7 No.7
No.8
No.8 No.8

No.17
No.9
No.17No.17
No.9
No.9
No.16
No.10
No.16No.16
No.10 No.10
Target surface pressure:No.15
No.11
No.11
目標面圧：40MPa40MPaNo.15No.15
No.11
目標面圧：40MPa
No.14
No.12
目標面圧：40MPa
No.14No.14
No.12
No.12
No.13
目標軸力
:
150.6[kN]No.13
Targetaxial
force:
目標軸力: 108.2[kN]
No.13
目標軸力
: 150.6[kN]
N…
150.6
［kN］
N…
N…
N…
N…
6N…
JIS
B 2251
ASME
PCC-1[kN] No.1○No.6500
N…
N…
N…
N…
N…
JIS
B 2251 No.24 200ASME PCC-1
N…
N…
N…6N…
No.2
○JPI Class300 N…
24inch No.23
No.3
ボルト軸力の分布
Figure5
Figure5
Distributionofbolt axial
150 ボルト軸力の分布
Figure5No.4force
No.22
No.21
100 [mm] No.1
○No.6596V
No.24 8.0
○JPI Class300 24inch No.23
No.20
50
No.22
7.5
No.19
0
No.21
No.18

Test conditions

No.2

No.5
No.3 No.6
No.4
No.7
No.5

7.0

No.20

No.8

[mm] No.1○No.6500
No.24 6.4
○JPI Class300 24inch No.23
No.22

No.2

No.3
No.4

6.2

No.21

3 stages

No.5
6.0

No.20

Diagonal tightening
Circular tightening

No.19

No.6
No.7

5.8

No.18

No.8

No.17

All bolts

At circular tightening, tightening
until nuts do not rotate

No.42

No.6

No.17
No.9
No.19
No.7
6.5
No.16
No.10
No.18
No.8
No.15
No.11
目標面圧：40MPa
No.14
No.12
No.17
No.9
No.13
目標軸力 : 150.6[kN]
N…
N…
N…
No.16
No.10
N…
6N…
JIS
B 2251
ASME PCC-1
N…
N…
N…
No.15
No.11
Mean gap between flange
締付け前の
No.14
No.12
faces before tightening:
Figure5 ボルト軸力の分布No.13フランジ面間平均：約8.7mm
Approximately
8.7 mmASME PCC-1

8 stages

No.8

Winter 2022

Next, Figure6 shows the gap between flange faces, and

No.7

No.17
No.9
No.17
No.9
No.16
No.10
No.16
No.10
Target surface pressure:No.15
No.11
目標面圧：40MPa40MPa
No.15
No.11
No.14
No.12
目標面圧：40MPa
No.14
No.12
No.13
Target axial
force:
目標軸力: 108.2[kN]
No.13
目標軸力
:
108.2[kN]108.2［kN］[kN] No.1○No.6500[kN]○No.6596V[kN] No.1○No.6500
No.24 200No.1
No.2○JPI Class300
Class300 24inch
24inch No.23No.24No.24
No.2
○JPI
○JPI Class300 24inch No.23150 200 No.2 No.3 No.3
No.23
No.3
150
No.22
No.4
150
No.22No.22
No.4 No.4
100
No.21
No.5
100
No.21No.21
No.5 No.5
100

narrow, and there is a tendency toward uneven

not rotate and as shown in Table5, the number of times

No.7

0

No.9

No.16

No.10

Mean gap between flange No.15
締付け前の
No.14
faces before tightening:
フランジ面間平均：約7.4mm
Approximately 7.4 mm

6JIS B 2251

Figure6

No.13

No.11
No.12

ASME PCC-1

Gap between flange faces
Figure6 フランジ面間距離10Appropriate Tightening Method of Gaskets

6. Conclusions
The equipment of domestic plants is aging, and by2025, most of the equipment will be in operation for
more than 40 years. Therefore, an“increased risk for
accident occurrence”and“decreased profitability due

7. Reference1）ASME PCC–1, Guidelines for pressure boundary
bolted flange joint assembly（2010）2）Japanese Industrial Standards. JIS B 2251“Flange
connection tightening method”（2008）

to decreased operating rate”is anticipated. This

3）JIS B 1083, Rules for Bolt Tightening（2008）

report introduced several cases of gasket trouble,4）Takahiro Fujiwara,“Effect of tightening procedures

basic procedures for tightening, and methods toon sealing properties”, Valqua Technology News

control tightening. Our company will continue toVol. 37（2019）provide seal engineering services as a sealing
manufacturer and contribute to eradicating accidents
due to leakage.

Winter 2022

Kenshiro Nakade
H&S Sales Group

No.42

11

Satomi Takahashi
Corporate Research andDevelopment Group

Digital Solutions

IP Landscape Initiatives

1. Introduction

experiences. In these times when the societal image ofthe future is drastically changing, it is important tocontinuously consider and disseminate new values andoffensive intellectual property strategy. The main entity

have these values felt by the people throughout thein this initiative is the intellectual property divisionworld, and it was anticipated that intellectual property

within the company, but close coordination with thesuch as“service”,“solution”and“information data”

management, R&D division and business division is

would drive the future.

essential. As the degree of recognition of IP landscape

In June 2021, the Financial Services Agency and Tokyo

rises, services that provide external consultation andStock Exchange revised the Corporate Governance Codeanalysis software to support companies are seizing thisto include the description,“In view of the importance ofbusiness opportunity and starting to increase.

investment into human resources and IP, effective

Looking back on intellectual property strategies at thedirections should be taken to help sustainable growth ofnational level, first of all, the declaration by the Cabinet

companies by distribution of these and otherof Junichi Koizumi on Japan as a“Nation Built on

management resources and strategic implementation ofIntellectual Property”in 2002 to increase the creation,business portfolios”3）. With this, Intellectual Property

protection and exploitation of intellectual property（IP）

Strategy Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Officesuch as patents and contents that have traditionallyand METI collaboratively established a“Study group on

been strong areas for Japan, to compete against the US

effective disclosure and governance of IP investment

who have increased their competitiveness by using IT

and utilization strategy”from August 2021. At this（information technology）such as the Internet as astudy group, it was recognized that in a time where theweapon, and the rapid growth of Korea and China

management environment of companies is significantly

regarding manufacturing can be mentioned1）. At thatchanging with the recent advances in digitalization

time, the Intellectual Property Promotion Plan was

and going green, IP and intangible assets that are

established as a national strategy, and the founding ofindispensable for a company’s management are

the IP High Court, and revision of the patent law related

considered to be also drastically changing. Therefore, it

to inventions by employees were promoted at theis further required to accurately recognize how IP andnational level.

intangible assets can be utilized for sustainable

In June 2018, the government further announced

management of a company’s future”and“validate their“Aiming for a“value design society”, Intellectual

business model based on the importance of IP and

2）

Property Strategy Vision” . This summarized a vision tointangible assets for management and it is unavoidable

direct the long-term developments and measures forto construct a strategy to maintain and strengthen IP

thirty years onwards from 2025 that utilize technology

and intangible assets that support competitiveness andsuch as AI and blockchain against the backdrop of ainvestigate a sustainable business model that utilizes thetransition from paying for physical goods to paying for

IP and intangible assets that are a strength upon firmly
12

Winter 2022

IP landscape is becoming widely recognized as an

No.42

IP Landscape Initiatives

understanding and analyzing why IP and intangible
assets are necessary for the company’s management and3. Investigation tool

what IP and intangible assets are the source ofIn this report, an example of an analysis method for IP

competitiveness and differentiation as a strength of thelandscape targeting PTFE is introduced.

company and how this leads to value creation and theMapping was conducted to allow a visual understanding

creation of cash flow”. This is the current situationof which technical areas have the most PTFE-related

where companies are even more expected to understandpatent applications（Figure1）. This technical classification

their own company and other companies’ strengths andwas prepared based on the international patent

weaknesses from the prospective of IP and investigate

classification designated by a global IP association andsustainable business models.

the number of patent applications for PTFE is displayedby the shade of the color. Red is the technical area with

2. What is IP landscape?

the most patent applications and grey is the technicalarea with the least patent applications.

Among these formulation and promotion of IP strategies

Technical Elements

at the national level, there is a growing movement todirectly utilize IP analysis in management and business.
Although many companies are now considering IP
landscape, since the target of IP landscape in each

Winter 2022

company is analysis handling confidential items such as
business strategy and R&D strategy of each company,
no company completely discloses its analysis process andresults, and many companies only disclose a summary.
The definition of IP landscape differs widely and thecontent of each company’s measures is varied because

No.42

there is no set definition. Some major companies haveestablished a specialist team to actively handle this in an©Questel 2021
Figure1 Patent application technical classification for PTFE

organized manner, and there are some examples of

By using such figures, it is possible to visually andpublic announcements regarding the results, but it ismacroscopically understand the technical areas

extremely rare for a company to disclose detailed

regarding PTFE that are being focused upon and thosecontent such as introducing development cases ofthat are not. In addition, by focusing the analysis target

specific products and services.

on specific companies, it is also possible to understandIn this report, we define IP landscape as“analysis of IP

the PTFE-related fields that each company are focusing

information within the global market, observing

upon. Figure2 indicates the technological concepts that

customer needs, technological trends and the situation ofConcept Cluster

players in a multifaceted way to utilize it for searching
new markets and uses for products and developing new
businesses and products”. At Valqua, we are alreadyutilizing IP landscape for searching new uses andopening up new businesses and products, and promoting
the development of value-added products and services toresolve unknown issues in discussion with theDevelopment Division and Business Division.

©Questel 2021
Figure213

Technological concept mapping of PTFE

Digital Solutions

have patent applications and the target for PTFE
related patent groups.

4. Activities
4-1）CX

This concept map groups the PTFE-related patent

Valqua has positioned 2021 as the starting year for

applications by concept and each group’s area is

corporate transformation（CX）, and promoted various

correlated with the number of patent applications.

initiatives. Not limiting ourselves to providing hardware,

Utilizing such concept maps, it is possible to understandbut placing the evolution into a H&S company thatthe details of individual patent contents such as thedelivers value-added service to customers as our basic

concepts that are receiving high attention or low

principle, we are promoting development activities forattention and unexpected concepts, and it is thought

our service technology products, that incorporate digitalthat this may lead to clues for searching new uses andsolutions, to be a trigger for innovative digitaldevelopments.

transformation for our customers’ total business.

Figure2 is a visualization of PTFE technology in general4-2）IP activities

helpful in understanding the strengths and weaknesses

We are placing an emphasis on IP landscape as part ofof those companies.

corporate transformation from the IP aspect. Patent

Figure3 shows a different analysis of PTFE patentapplication activities are conducted in new areas as aapplications. This is color-coded by technology clusters

result of searching for new value-added services andand the number of patent applications is indicated by

new product candidates through active utilization of thecontour lines. The larger the number of patent

IP landscape.

applications, the higher the contour lines. This figure also

IP landscape study tools have many features and theallows a macroscopic visualization of areas that haveanalysis tools are evolving daily. While enhancing themany patent applications. By preparing this type oftraining of staff to enable analysis according to their aim,

mapping for each year, it is also possible to understandwe work towards actively implementing the most recent

technical trends by time by seeing the sections thattools.

recently increased in height.

In May 2019, as part of open innovation, we announced
the establishment of the Cooperative ResearchLandscape by technology cluster

Laboratory for Advanced Functional Materials with
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and4）Technology（AIST）. Valqua is conducting advanced

functional material development with AIST and we are
currently applying for patent applications regarding thetechnical results. Valqua is implementing IP landscapefor searching for uses of such materials and also
promoting ways to search for uses that would be atarget. Such initiatives will continue to be used actively
as a method to search for uses of seeds.
In addition, regarding the development of services thatconsider digital transformation（DX）, conducting IP
landscape should allow us to strengthen and promote
our main activities in the future by providing high value©Questel 2021
Figure3

Landscape of PTFE

added services that combine the areas that are Valqua’s
strength together with IT technology.
14

Winter 2022

and by focusing on specific companies, it could also be

No.42

IP Landscape Initiatives

5. Conclusions
In this article, we introduced Valqua’s activities related

http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/titeki/kettei/
020703gaiyou.html
2）‌The Prime Minister’s Office, Intellectual Property

to IP landscape, but the content is limited because of theStrategy Visionneed for confidentiality. Valqua intends to work on

https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/titeki2/kettei/

solutions that can provide ways to solve our customer’s

chizai_vision.pdf

issues by implementing value creation from a new3）‌Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters at the

viewpoint, IP, in addition to technical development based

Prime Minister’s Office, Study group on effective

on our customer needs and on seeds that we havedisclosure and governance of IP investment andalways provided.

utilization strategy, reference
https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/titeki2/tyousakai/

6. References

tousi_kentokai/pdf/corporate_governance.pdf
4）Valqua website

1）‌The Prime Minister’s Office, Main points of thehttps://www.valqua.co.jp/wpcontent/uploads/pdf/“Intellectual Property Strategy Outline”

press/pr190516.pdf

Winter 2022

Usui Nobuta
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION

No.42

15

Product Introductions

Applications of PTFE nanofibers forflexible devices
1. Introduction

・Chemical -resistant, climate-resistant, heat-resistant（260℃）,fire-resistant

Valqua has considered various application utilizing

・Safe for humans（non-invasive, clean）

PTFE nanofibers.

・Water-repellent

In this project, we worked with CONNECTEC JAPAN・High electric resistance, low dielectric constantand started from the stage of brainstorming for ideas on

・Flexible material

utilizing PTFE nanofibers. CONNECTEC JAPAN has

・Good air permeability

their proprietary low-temperature application technology

・Resistant to thermal deformationand is experienced in producing flexible devices.
Table1 shows the general properties of PTFE nanofiber

permeability and flexibility of PTFE nanofibers and also

nonwoven fabric. It is a material with porosity of 80 tothe insulating and water-repellent properties of PTFE

90 % and repels water but has permeability. Expandedmaterial to consider the possibilities of PTFE as a

PTFE is a material with similar structure andflexible device.

characteristics, but it shrinks significantly when exposed

Winter 2022

Among several of the candidates, we focused on the air

As flexible devices, we assumed uses in healthcare andwearables. Here we introduce a concept model for

No.42

flexible devices that was produced by conducting
technological development that included direct wiringformation on PTFE nanofibers.

2. Characteristics of PTFE nanofibers
First, we will have a general overview of PTFE
nanofibers1）. As a material, PTFE nanofibers have anonwoven fabric structure and are an aggregate ofPTFE fibers with a diameter of approximately 600 to
700 nanometers（Figure1）. The fibers consist of 100%PTFE and are produced from PTFE dispersion using a
special electrospinning method.

Figure1
Table1

Structure of PTFE nanofibers

PTFE nanofiber properties（representative values）

PTFE nanofibers have the following features through its

Properties

Value

Basis weight［g/cm2］

16.7

characteristics as PTFE material and having nanofiber

Thickness［um］

56

Volume resistance ［Ω・cm］

1013

Dielectric constant（@6 GHz）

1.14

Water contact angle［°］

140

Air permeability［L/min/cm2/psi］

4.3

structure.

16

Applications of PTFE nanofibers for flexible devices

to 260℃, whereas PTFE nanofiber nonwoven fabricbarely shows any thermal shrinking （Figure2）.

Figure4

Example of wiring by jet dispenser

3-2）Microstructure
Figure2 D ifference in thermal shrinking of PTFE nanofiber
nonwoven fabric（left）and ePTFE（Right）

Figure5 and 6 show a cross-section photograph of circuitboards formed by the jet dispenser method. Generally,
the PTFE surface is water-repellent and oil-repellent, and3. Formation of wiring on PTFE nanofibers

it is a material that is difficult to be printed on as
designed by conductive ink. However, as the figure

Winter 2022

3-1）Wiring formationshows, wiring material is formed and attached at the

To use as a flexible device, we considered using PTFE

designated line widths on the PTFE nanofibers.

nanofibers itself as a circuit board.

Additionally, it can be seen in the enlarged figure, that a

Wiring formation on PTFE nanofiber was conducted byportion of the conductive ink component has entered thethe printing method. In general, as wiring formation

micropores of PTFE nanofibers, thus maintaining

methods for electric circuits, there are several methods:

adhesion with PTFE nanofibers, and no bleeding ofphotolithography method, inkjet printing method, screen

conductive ink is confirmed.

printing method and gravure offset printing method.
This project used the screen-printing method and jet
dispenser method.
Control parameters include conductive ink type

No.42

（conductive particle type and diameter, solvent,viscosity）, printing speed, and discharge pressure in thecase of jet dispenser. Optimization of these parameters
made it possible to conduct wiring formation on PTFE
nanofibers.
Figure3 and 4 show examples of printing of circuits
using screen printing and jet dispenser. Both methods
were able to form wiring without any bleeding of

Figure5

Surface of PTFE nanofibers and wiringconductive ink when printed under optimal conditions.

Figure3

Example of wiring by screen printing
Figure617

Enlarged view

Product Introductions3-3）Durability tests

×30.0

In this project, we confirmed the adhesion of
conductive ink with PTFE nanofibers and the change
in electric resistance value using MIT tests.
The sample used this time was an electromyography
sensor that will be mentioned later, and it was used
after circuit formation with line width of 0.5mm,
followed by covering the circuit with insulationmaterial.
The MIT test was conducted using a tester as shownin Figure7. Table2 shows the test conditions（refer to
JIS P8115. However, considering the strength of

Figure8 Photograph of the bending section（After 3,000 repeats）

PTFE nanofibers, no load as designated）. Circuit
between the two edges of the electric circuit before
and after the test.
Table2

MIT testing conditions

Parameter

Testing conditions

Test rate

90 cpm135°

Radius of curvature

0.38 mm

Test repeats

3,000 repeats

Load

―

Winter 2022

Bending angle

Electric resistance value（Ω）

properties were measured as electric resistance

Test repeats

Figure9 Relationship of conductivity change due to MIT test

4. Application to flexible devices
Figure10 shows a photograph of PTFE nanofibers
with various wiring patterns. By using printing
methods, it is possible to form various wiring patterns.

Figure7

MIT tester

As a result of the test, Figure8 shows no sign ofdisconnection at the bending section（red dotted line）.In
addition, Figure9 shows no significant change in electric
resistance value, and this means good electric
conductivity was maintained even after the test.

Figure10

PTFE nanofibers forming various wiring patterns

18

No.42

Applications of PTFE nanofibers for flexible devices

As an example of a flexible device using PTFE nanofibers

Figure13 shows a trial touch sensor. A capacitancewith wiring patterns, we tried electromyographychange type touch sensor was manufactured as a trial.

sensors and touch sensors.

The sample shown in the figure had variability in the

Generally, electromyography sensors are made of patch-detection sensitivity per matrix, but was confirmed totype electrodes and assumed to be unsuited forhave the basic functionality of a capacitance change typecontinuous use because they do not have air permeability.

touch sensor.

In contrast, sensors that use PTFE nanofibers would

PTFE nanofibers themselves do not have stretchability,

have the characteristics of PTFE itself and be safe forbut they have the ability to follow free-form surfaces of a

medical use, non-invasive, and water-repellent, as well as

certain degree of size, and applications to various input

air permeability that nanofiber structures have.

user interfaces including wearables can be considered.

Therefore, it would be unlikely that they have an
USB input

adverse effect on the body even if continuously used,

Volume/position detection
microcomputer board

and they would be appropriate for wearable devices. In
addition, it is difficult to convey over words, but thematerial has a gentle texture when next to the skin, andTouch position
volume detector

this is another point that makes it ideal for continuous

PTFE nanofiber
touch sensor

use.
Figure11 shows a trial electromyography sensor. In thisWinter 2022
No.42

figure, the 3 electrodes are made to be worn separately,
but it is also possible to combine them as shown in
Figure12, and it could be considered to be used as a

Figure13 Trial touch sensor（Microcomputer board and display software from Renesas Electronics Corp.）

wristband type device.

5. Future developments
Myoelectric potential
indicator
Tension, intensity
determination

USB input

This time, we investigated the utilization of PTFE
nanofibers in flexible devices. By forming wiring on
PTFE nanofibers, we think that we have shownpossibilities as to their application that go beyond their

For use, these 3 electrodes
are attached to the arm
USB output
PTFE
electromyography
sensorElectromyography amplifier
Noise cancellation
USB conversion

Figure11 Trial electromyography sensors（Electromyography amplifier and display software are products from Tokyo Devices Inc.）utilization as only a material. In the future, with theprogressively ageing society in Japan, we think that theuse of wearable devices in the healthcare field will
increase. In addition, there are types of devices such as
foldable smartphones that have not been seen before,
and it is predicted that various user interfaces will befurther required in the future.
To be able to follow this drastic changing society in a
flexible way like nanofibers, we will continue our efforts
on further expanding the examples we have shown here
and also produce products that benefit society.

Figure12
19

Electromyography sensor, integrated type

Product Introductions

6. Conclusions
Through a collaborative effort with CONNECTECPTFE nanofiber, and CONNECTEC JAPAN’s
proprietary low temperature technology. With this, wehope that we can help realize our readers’ ideas.

JAPAN, we were able to show new possibilities forutilizing PTFE nanofibers. We think that the utilization
cases that we introduced in this report are only aportion. We consider that the development of novel
devices could be possible using Valqua’s unique material,

7. References
1）Tsuji, Setoguchi, Valqua Technology News, No. 23,
pp.13-15.

Hirotaka Mutoh

Tetsuya Komeda

Corporate Research andDevelopment Group

Corporate Research andDevelopment Group

Winter 2022
No.42

20

VALFLON™ lined steel pipes
Gasketless mechanism
1. Introduction

3．M isalignment of gasket may lead to gasket
protruding into the inner pipe and may adversely

VALFLON™（PTFE）has anti-corrosive properties andaffect inner environment due to fluid accumulation

does not elute of metal ions. VALFLON™ lined steel

4．High-level skill（techniques）to precisely align gasket

pipes are used for the transport of chemical solutions

and transfer of those skills（techniques）（strong acid, alkali, solvents, etc.）manufactured at

Winter 2022
No.42

chemical plants and in piping that handles high-purity

For connection of pipe components, to avoid

items for the semiconductor industry. Other than

misalignment within the flow route, the center axes of

VALFLON™ piping materials, lines with corrosive fluid

the connecting flanges need to be placed facing eachthat cannot be carried by metal tubes use glass lining

other to allow flow, and also the center axis of the gasket

pipes and karbates. However, these have low mechanicalthat is the containment section must also be placed instrength, and are easily damaged if used as scaffoldingalignment with the central axis of the flange. However,or receives impact during piping work. In addition, if

there is a problem that high skill（technique）is required

there is a concentration of stress due to land subsidence

for connecting the pipes with high precision alignment ofor earthquakes, it has the disadvantage of possibly

flange and gasket. First, the flange that is formed as one

causing unanticipated accidents. VALFLON™ pipingwith the piping component or fixed at the open end of

material, utilizing the superior flexibility of VALFLON™,

the piping component, gaskets are a different material

is appropriate for these uses. Recently, in thefrom pipe components and second, there is no gasket

semiconductor industry, VALFLON™ piping material isseat to fix the position or determine the alignment ofused for handling high purity chemical solutions.

gaskets on the flange flare surface.

As the connecting structure of such VALFLON™ piping

For pipe installation devices, even if the pipe routes arematerial, flanges are installed at the connecting pipe

connected through a central axis, if the gasket isends and a gasket is placed between the flanges at the

installed misaligned, part of the open ends of the gasket

pipe connection to be tightened. In this report, we willbore would protrude into the tube. There is an issue

introduce a“gasketless mechanism”that does not placethat protrusions of the gasket would increase the flowa gasket in between the flanges.

resistance of the liquid within the pipet and substancesthat flow with the liquid may accumulate at the

2. Outline of gasketless mechanism
2-1）Problem to be solved
1．There is no specific installation position for gaskets
or seat for fixation
2．Misalignment of gasket may lead to decrease in
sealability
21

protrusions and lead to worsening of the innerenvironment. Other than this, piping connections thatuse conventional gaskets close the connecting section byplacing each flange surface in contact with the opposite
side of the gasket, and crushing the two gaskets fromboth sides by tightening the flanges. In other words, thetwo flange surfaces have a structure that do not come inProduct Introductions

contact because of the gasket in between. Suchconnecting devices have issues because they may

Convex side

Flange No. 1

Concave side

Flange No. 2

decrease in pipeline sealing properties due to reasons
such as a gasket that is not installed in the appropriate
position leading to uneven flange tightening.
Figure1 and 2 show a photograph and diagram of thepipe junction.
Flange flare side

Figure3

Diagram of junction

After flange tightening, the lined junction is a
structure that minimizes misalignment.
Figure4 and 5 show a photograph and diagram of thejunction after tightening.
Figure1

Photograph of the pipe junction

Winter 2022

FlangeFlangeFlange flare side

Flange flare side

No.42
VALFLON™（PTFE）

VALFLON™（PTFE）
GasketFigure2

Diagram of pipe junction

Figure4

Photograph of junction after tightening2-2）Measures to solve the issues
To solve the above issues, VALFLON™（PTFE）that is

Flange No. 1

Flange No. 2
Metal touch junctionused in sections of the flange No. 1 formed at the
opening of the tube No. 1 and flange No. 2 formed at the
opening of tube No. is pressure bonded together and thishas a metal touch junction that connects the metal of theflange flare that seals the surrounding area of thepipeline junction and the flange section that does nothave VALFLON™（PTFE）lining.
In the above piping device, the metal section of flange
No. 1 and flange No. 2 have a concave-convex shape thatis a structure that relieves misalignment of the pipes at

Figure5Diagram of junction after tightening

the tightening section. Figure3 shows the junction.
22

VALFLON™ lined steel pipes Gasketless mechanism

3. Effect anticipated for gasketless steel pipes⑴ By connecting flange surfaces without a gasket in
between the flanges, the occurrence of variability inmaintain sealability with no problems without gaskets.
Table1Pressure resistance/leakage test conditions

Pressure（MPa）

Retention time
（min）

Fluid

Pinholeinspection

1.5

10

Water

AC15KVthe tightening state at the flange surface due totightening tasks can be lowered and tightening
precision can be improved.

Water
pressure⑵ The housing section that was formed in a sectionof the flange houses the lining used for a section of
the flange surface, and the lining that is pressure
bonded due to the tightening of the flanges seals theMetal touch mechanism

Figure6

Diagram of pressure resistance/leakage testarea around the pipeline connecting section andrealizes a piping device that has simple installation

4-2）Heat cycle test

procedures while maintaining the sealability of

After connecting the pipes, the heat cycle was repeated toflanges.

confirm whether leakage may occur due to stress relaxationof the sealing surface. Table2 shows the conditions for thea separate component such as gaskets, it isheat cycle test and Figure7 is a diagram of the heat cycle

unnecessary to determine the position of the gasket

test.

against the flange surface or maintain that state

As a result of the heat cycle test, it was confirmed that

until tightening. Therefore, work efficiency

sealability could be maintained without any problems.

Winter 2022

⑶ Regarding the connection of pipes, by not having

improves and it is possible to improve the precision

Table2of tightening tasks without depending upon theassembly operator’s skill（technique）.
⑷ Gasketless mechanism can prevent flow resistancewithin the pipeline by gaskets that were tightened

No.42

in a misaligned position and prevent theConditions for heat cycle test

Pressure（MPa）

Retention time
（min）

①

０．
６MPa

３０

②

０．
６MPa

１５

※

Test is implemented by 100 repeats of⑸ After connection of pipes, by not having a gasket
in between, it is unnecessary to do retightening tomaintain sealability.

①→② as 1 SET

Confirmation ofsealability after test

accumulation of substances that are contained in thefluid.

Fluid
１６５℃
saturated steam
Water at room
temperature

Pressure（MPa）

Retention time
（min）

Fluid

Pinholeinspection

1.5

10

Water

AC15KV

Saturated steam⑹ Metal touch mechanism can reduce the looseningof bolts due to vibration because there is no gasket
in between.

Output

4. Sealing performance

Metal touch mechanism

4-1）Pressure resistance and leakage tests
Standard tests and inspections for lined pipes wereconfirmed for gasketless mechanism. Table1 shows thepressure resistance and leakage test conditions andFigure6 shows a diagram of pressure resistance andleakage tests. It was confirmed that it is possible to23

Water at room temperature

Figure7

Diagram of heat cycle test

Product Introductions

5. Conclusions
VALFLON™ lined pipes with gasketless mechanism is awith further improvements, we aim to complete
products that would be a mainstay of lined pipes andmake products that our customers are satisfied with.

product that was produced with the customer’s
viewpoint, such as pipe installation and flange tightening
control in consideration. In addition, it has the safety
features because of its fire-safe property that would
minimize the possibility of spreading fire. In the future,

6. References
1）V alqua Handbook Technology Edition （Piping
material products）

Nobuyuki Kawai
VALQUA METAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Production Division

Winter 2022
No.42

24

Recent Technology News Back Issues

No.41 Summer 2021
● Valqua Technology News Greetings

Director & CTO

Mutsuo Aoki

● Customer Solutions
Precautions when considering usage and troubleshooting（FlectorTM）


H&S Sales Div.

Technical Solutions Group

Technical Paper

Takanori Sakamoto● Customer Solutions
Launch of the BLISTANCETM blister resistant material series
Elastomer Team,● Product Introductions

Product Development Div.,

Ryohei Nishihara

R&D Headquarters

Report on Predictive Maintenance Technology for Equipment by Vibration Measurement
Introduction of Network-based Predictive Maintenance System
Frontier Development Team,

Advanced Technology Development Department,

Research and Development Division

Hisataka Sato

Mat Sensor Using Piezoelectric Sheet	New Application Exploration Advanced Technology Development Department Research and Development Division Tetsuya Komeda
Heat Resistant Acrylic Rubber L6070
Elastomer Team,

Hirofumi Zushi

Product Development Division Research and Development Department

Winter 2022

Elastomer for High Concentration Chemicals and Ozone ARCURYTM Series
Technical Solution Group

Hiromasa Muraki

H&S Sales Division

No.40 Winter 2021

No.42

● Greetings

CEOToshikazu Takizawa● Introduction to Valqua Technology News No.40 Winter 2021

CTO

Mutsuo Aoki

● Customer Solutions
Improvement of construction quality through the common flange fastening certification system

Kawasaki Refinery, ENEOS Corporation

Yosuke Koga,

VALQUA Corporation H&S Sales Division

Shigeo Sakai● Customer Solutions《Contribution》
E ffectiveness of Flange Tightening Training and Expectations for VALQUA H&S at thePetrochemical Plant in Linyuan, Taiwan
Lin Hsin-Cheng

Taiwan CNPC Corporation Lin-Yuan Petrochemical Plant, Petrochemical Division● Technical Papers

Effects of carbon black on compression set with peroxide cross-linking elastomer
Elastomer Team, Product Development Department, Research and Development Division● Product introduction


Ryosuke Nishi

High heat resistant non-silicone adhesive tape（Manufactured by Korea Taconic, AGC Group, P-KT:6323）
Product Group, High Performance Plastics Division

Takeyuki Suzuki

Introduction of Flange Gap Gauge Technical Solutions Group, H&S Sales Division Masafumi Ina
Examples of Reciprocal Motion Applications of LFR SEALTM
25

Product Development Department, Research & Development Division

Tetsuya Tokumaru

No.39 Summer 2020
● Greetings	CTO

Mutsuo Aoki

● Customer Solutions《Contribution》
Approaches to Improving Construction Quality with Hand Nutrunners（Plug type air-cooled heat exchanger）
Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu

Makoto Hasegawa

General Manager, H&S Sales Division

Masayuki Yamabe● Customer Solutions
Introduction and Application of Seal Quick Searcher™（SQS）（Gland Packing）


H&S Sales Division, Technical Solutions Group● Technical Paper

Kiyohiro Matsumura

Evaluation of Loosening Behavior of Bolted Fasteners with Fluoropolymer Gaskets

Gasket & Gland Packing Team, Product Development Department, Research & Development Division

Koji Sato● Technical Paper《Contribution》 Technology for Ion Beam Treatment of PTFE
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd,.

● Product Introductions

Sealing materials for high-pressure hydrogen gasElastomer Team, Product Development Department, Research & Development Division

Hiroaki Nakano

Ryohei Nishihara		Elastomer Team, Product Development Department, Research & Development Division

Akihiro Nagano

Winter 2022

Introduction to Valqua Predictive Maintenance System VALVESTA™-HE210

No.42

26

Aim for earth and people friendly production

Sheet Gasket
VALQUA HEAT RESIST SHEETTM（ＨＲＳ）
Sheet gasket that can be used at high temperatures of 1000°
Cor higher. It does not contain RCF (Refractory Ceramic Fiber)
and is exempt from the Regulation of Industrial Safety and
Health Law.
Operating temperature range: -200 to 1200℃*Please refer to our catalog for details.

Maximum pressure: 1.0MPa

UNIVERSAL HYPERTM（ＵＦ300）
Sheet gasket that can be integrated in chemical lines.
In addition to stability at high temperatures and long-term use,chemical resistance has been improved, greatly expanding therange of applicable ﬂuids.
It can be used for both strong acid and strong alkali lines.
Operating temperature range: -200 to 300℃
*Please refer to our catalog for details.

Maximum pressure: 3.5MPa

ThinkPark Tower 24F
2-1-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-6024, Japan
Contact : VALQUA, LTD. https://www.valqua.com
TEL：(81)3-5434-7376
FAX：(81)3-5436-0562

VALQUA's Sales Network■JAPANVALQUA, LTD.
【Main Number】【Sales Group】

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TEL : (81)436‑20‑8511

FAX : (81)436‑20‑8515

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TEL : (81)3‑5434‑7520

FAX : (81)3‑5435‑0264■CHINA

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TEL : (86)21‑5308‑2468 FAX : (86)21‑5308‑2478
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【Head Oﬃce】
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VALQUA KOREA CO., LTD.
【Head Oﬃce】
TEL : (82)2‑786‑6718【Ulsan Oﬃce】
TEL : (82)52‑227‑6717

FAX : (82)2‑786‑6719
FAX : (82)52‑227‑6719■TAIWANTAIWAN VALQUA ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
【Head Oﬃce】
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TEL : (886)7‑696‑2400 FAX : (886)7‑696‑7100■SINGAPORE

No.42 Winter 2022

TEL : (81)3‑5434‑7370 FAX : (81)3‑5436‑0560
TEL : (81)3‑5434‑7380 FAX : (81)3‑5436‑0571

VALQUA INDUSTRIES SINGAPORE PTE.LTD.
TEL : (65)6352‑2650
FAX : (65)6352‑2653

ThinkPark Tower 24F
2-1-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-6024, Japan
https://www.valqua.co.jp■THAILANDVALQUA INDUSTRIES(THAILAND), LTD.
【Head Oﬃce】
TEL : (66)2‑324‑0400
FAX : (66)2‑324‑0787【Rayong Branch】 TEL : (66)38‑026‑136
FAX : (66)38‑026‑137■USA

VALQUA AMERICA, INC.
TEL : (1)408‑962‑5030

FAX : (1)408‑962‑5031

VALQUA NGC, INC.
TEL : (1)713‑691‑1193

FAX : (1)713‑691‑4407■VIETNAM

VALQUA VIETNAM CO., LTD.
【Head Oﬃce】
TEL : (84)220‑357‑0078 FAX : (84)220‑357‑0079【Hanoi Branch】 TEL : (84)24‑3222‑2213 FAX : (84)24‑3222‑2216*The VALQUA trademark stands for VALUE and QUALITY.
*The contents of this journal also appear on our home page. *Unauthorized reprinting/reproduction is prohibited.