CAULKING AND FULLERING

 

WHAT ARE CAULKING AND FULLERING?

• In order to make the joints fluid-tight in pressure vessels like steam boilers, air receivers, tanks, etc., a process is known as caulking and fullering is employed.
• The edges of riveted plates are usually beveled to an angle of 80 to facilitate fullering and caulking operations.

• Caulking :

• In the caulking process, the edges of the riveted plates are driven by a narrow blunt chisel-like tool called a caulking tool to close the joints. The heads of the rivets are also turned down with a caulking tool to make the joint steam tight. The caulking tool is about 5mm thick and 38 mm in breadth. Unless the caulking is done with care, the joint may be seriously injured and also open the joint instead of closing it.

• Fullering :

• In the fullering process, the edges of the riveted plates are driven by a fullering tool with a thickness at the end equal to that of the plate. The tool is used in such a way that the greatest pressure due to the blows occurs near the joint, giving a clean finish, with a low risk of damaging the plate. As fullering is a more satisfactory way of making the joint fluid-tight, it has almost replaced caulking.