Collection and Measurements on Pressure Regulator for Gas Cutting from Industrial Sites

Part 2: Decomposition Measurement of Inlet Filters and Diaphragms

Abstract

This study continues with previously reported flame arresters, gas cutting torches, and pressure regulators collected from industrial sites. In Part 1 of the previous paper, appearance and pressure fluctuation during the gas （air）supply were measured without disassembling the main body of the pressure regulators. In Part 2, the pressure regulators were disassembled, and the inlet filters and diaphragms were examined from the viewpoint of aged deterioration. The inlet filters of the collected OX pressure regulators had attached powder of something and plastic fibers. It was found that the diaphragms became harder with time, and cracks were more likely to occur. The relationship between the number of years until measurement and the hardness （durometer, type A: HDA value）of oxygen and acetylene diaphragms was determined from the experimental results. It was also found that the aged deterioration can be evaluated using the HDA value.