Urgent seal required
In mid-2025, Provecta was contacted by Equans with an urgent and highly specific request. For a complex test rig used in nuclear research, the customer required non-standard metallic seals within a very short timeframe.
The application imposed strict material constraints: no plating and a fully SS316L jacket and spring configuration.
It quickly became clear that no off-the-shelf or partner solution could meet both the technical requirements and the delivery timeline. While Provecta did not yet have all the dedicated production machinery in place at that time, we did have the engineering expertise, materials knowledge, and hands-on experience to take on the challenge.
From engineering to delivery in less than five weeks
Provecta took full ownership of the engineering and manufacturing process, designing and producing the metallic seal from scratch. In less than five weeks, this critical engineered component was successfully delivered and integrated into the test setup.
A successful delivery — or so it seemed.
Pressure test issue? Time for root-cause analysis
During the subsequent hydrostatic pressure test, a leak was detected. As is often the case, the seal was initially identified as the most likely cause.
Rather than drawing premature conclusions, Provecta conducted an on-site investigation the very same week, carefully inspecting both the setup and the installed seals. This fast, hands-on response proved crucial.
The real cause: flange surface quality
Unplated metallic seals place extremely high demands on flange surface finish. While most flanges in the assembly were properly turned, several had been milled instead.
Although the surface roughness formally complied with the drawing tolerances, the presence of minimal radial milling marks was sufficient to create a leakage path under high pressure.
For this type of sealing application, a circular surface finish is critical.
Practical experience makes the difference
Thanks to the practical expertise within the Provecta team, a manual surface correction was performed on-site using abrasive paper.
This delicate operation requires deep know-how and craftsmanship and is not something that can be entrusted to just any supplier.
Result: project speed preserved, costs avoided
By intervening quickly and effectively, additional, complex and costly CNC re-machining was avoided. The test campaign continued without further delay, and the integrity of the setup was restored.
A satisfied customer, a project back on track — and a proud Provecta team.