Abstract

This paper focuses on the research and development of spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) in high - end sealing of the biomedical field. The characteristics and technical principles of the sealing ring, such as high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and ultra - high vacuum sealing, are elaborated in detail. Through actual performance test data, it is proved that it can meet the strict requirements of high - end medical applications such as proton therapy and CT imaging equipment. The research shows that the sealing ring has significant advantages in high - end sealing of the biomedical field, providing a strong guarantee for the reliability and stability of medical equipment, and is of great significance for promoting the development of high - end medical equipment in the biomedical field.

Keywords

Spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing ring; Gold/silver plating; Biomedical; High - end sealing; Medical equipment

1. Introduction

In the biomedical field, with the rapid development of advanced medical technologies such as proton therapy and radiological imaging, higher requirements are put forward for the performance and reliability of medical equipment. High - end sealing technology, as a crucial part of medical equipment, directly affects the operation stability and safety of the equipment. Spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated), with their unique structure and excellent performance, have become an ideal choice to meet the high - end sealing requirements in the biomedical field. This paper aims to deeply explore the research and development process, performance characteristics, and applications of this sealing ring in the biomedical field, providing references for research and practice in related fields.

2. Structure and Technical Principles of Spring - Reinforced Metal C - shaped Sealing Rings (Gold/Silver Plated)

2.1 Structural Design

The spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing ring adopts a C - shaped metal structure with a spring embedded inside. This structural design enables the spring to provide additional elastic force when the sealing ring is under external pressure, ensuring that the sealing ring fits closely with the sealing surface, thus achieving a good sealing effect. At the same time, the C - shaped structure has a certain degree of flexibility, which can adapt to sealing surfaces of different shapes and sizes, improving the applicability of the sealing ring.

The gold/silver plating treatment is a major feature of this sealing ring. Gold and silver have good chemical stability and low surface energy. The gold/silver plating layer can effectively prevent the oxidation and corrosion of the sealing ring surface, and at the same time, reduce the friction coefficient between the sealing ring and the sealing surface, reduce wear, and improve the service life of the sealing ring.

2.2 Technical Principles

In terms of high temperature resistance, the metal materials used in the sealing ring have a high melting point and good thermal stability. Even at a temperature as high as 750°C, the crystal structure of the metal material can still remain relatively stable without significant softening and deformation, thus ensuring that the sealing ring can operate reliably in a high - temperature environment. The presence of the spring also helps to adjust the elasticity of the sealing ring in a timely manner during temperature changes, compensating for the gaps caused by thermal expansion or contraction and maintaining the sealing performance.

The high pressure resistance is due to the high - strength metal materials and reasonable structural design of the sealing ring. The metal materials themselves have high compressive strength and can withstand large pressures. When the C - shaped structure is under pressure, it can evenly distribute the pressure on all parts of the sealing ring to avoid stress concentration. The elastic force of the spring further enhances the sealing ability of the sealing ring, enabling it to maintain a good sealing effect under a pressure of up to 1500 bar.

The corrosion resistance is mainly attributed to the use of the gold/silver plating layer and corrosion - resistant metal materials. The gold/silver plating layer serves as a barrier to prevent direct contact between corrosive chemicals and the metal body. At the same time, the selected metal materials themselves have good corrosion resistance. Even in the harsh chemical environments commonly found in medical equipment, they can effectively resist corrosion and ensure the long - term stable use of the sealing ring.

The ultra - high vacuum sealing performance is achieved through precise manufacturing processes and material properties. The surface roughness of the sealing ring is strictly controlled to ensure a tight fit with the sealing surface and reduce the channels for gas leakage. The low outgassing rate and good airtightness of the metal materials, as well as the stable elastic force provided by the spring, enable the sealing ring to maintain an excellent leakage rate as low as 1×10⁻¹⁰ Pa·m³/s in an ultra - high vacuum environment, meeting the strict requirements for vacuum sealing in high - end medical applications.

3. Performance Tests of Spring - Reinforced Metal C - shaped Sealing Rings (Gold/Silver Plated)

3.1 High Temperature Resistance Test

To verify the high temperature resistance of the sealing ring, the sealing ring was placed in a high - temperature furnace and gradually heated to 750°C at a certain heating rate and maintained at this temperature for a certain period. During the test, the dimensional change, hardness change, and sealing performance of the sealing ring were monitored in real - time. The results showed that at a high temperature of 750°C, the dimensional change of the sealing ring was within the allowable range, the hardness remained basically stable, and the sealing performance did not decrease significantly, still meeting the sealing requirements.

3.2 High Pressure Resistance Test

A high - pressure testing device was used to apply pressure to the sealing ring, gradually increasing from low pressure to 1500 bar. During the test, the deformation and sealing effect of the sealing ring were observed, and the relationship between pressure and leakage was recorded. The test results showed that under a pressure of 1500 bar, although the sealing ring underwent certain elastic deformation, it could still maintain good sealing performance with minimal leakage, meeting the high - pressure sealing requirements of high - end medical equipment.

3.3 Corrosion Resistance Test

The sealing ring was immersed in various corrosive chemical solutions commonly found in medical equipment, such as acid, alkali, and salt solutions, for a certain period and then taken out. The corrosion situation on the surface of the sealing ring was observed, and its sealing performance was tested. The results showed that the surface of the gold/silver - plated sealing ring did not show obvious corrosion phenomena, and the sealing performance was not significantly affected, proving that the sealing ring has good corrosion resistance.

3.4 Ultra - High Vacuum Sealing Performance Test

In an ultra - high vacuum testing device, the sealing ring was installed on the sealing system. The system pressure was reduced to an extremely low level by vacuum pumping, and the leakage rate of the sealing ring was measured. The test results showed that the leakage rate of the sealing ring was as low as 1×10⁻¹⁰ Pa·m³/s, meeting the requirements for ultra - high vacuum sealing and providing a stable vacuum environment for high - end medical applications.

4. Applications of Spring - Reinforced Metal C - shaped Sealing Rings (Gold/Silver Plated) in the Biomedical Field

4.1 Applications in Proton Therapy Systems

Proton therapy systems are advanced cancer treatment devices, and their accelerators and key components have extremely high requirements for sealing performance. The application of spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) in proton therapy systems can ensure the high - vacuum environment inside the accelerator, preventing gas leakage from affecting the transmission and focusing accuracy of the proton beam. At the same time, in high - temperature and high - pressure environments, this sealing ring can still maintain stable sealing performance, providing a guarantee for the reliable operation of the proton therapy system. Actual application cases show that after using this sealing ring, the equipment failure rate of the proton therapy system has significantly decreased, and the treatment effect has been effectively improved.

4.2 Applications in CT Imaging Equipment

The key components such as X - ray tubes and detectors in CT imaging equipment need to work in a stable environment to ensure the imaging quality. The application of spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) improves the sealing performance of X - ray tubes and detectors, effectively preventing the interference of external environmental factors on the equipment. Under high - pressure conditions, this sealing ring can withstand the internal pressure of the equipment, ensuring the normal operation of the X - ray tube. During long - term use, its corrosion resistance ensures the reliability of the sealing ring, reduces the maintenance frequency of the equipment, and improves the overall performance and service life of the CT imaging equipment.

4.3 Applications in High - end Medical Equipment

In addition to proton therapy systems and CT imaging equipment, spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) are also widely used in high - end medical equipment such as MRI systems and radiological imaging tools. In MRI systems, this sealing ring can adapt to the strong magnetic field environment, maintain good sealing performance, and prevent external magnetic field interference and liquid leakage. In radiological imaging tools, its ultra - high vacuum sealing performance provides a stable working environment for the equipment, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of imaging.

5. Conclusion

Spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) demonstrate great advantages in high - end sealing of the biomedical field with their excellent performances such as high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and ultra - high vacuum sealing. Through the analysis of its structure and technical principles, as well as performance tests and application case studies, it is proved that this sealing ring can meet the strict requirements of high - end medical applications such as proton therapy and CT imaging equipment, providing a strong guarantee for the reliability and stability of medical equipment. With the continuous development of the biomedical field, the demand for high - end sealing technology will continue to increase. Spring - reinforced metal C - shaped sealing rings (gold/silver plated) are expected to be more widely applied and further developed in the future.