PIPE FLANGES:

Pipe flanges are used to mechanically connect pipe sections to other pipe sections,
inline components, and equipment. Flanges also allow pipe to be assembled and
disassembled without cutting or welding, eliminating the need of cutting and welding
when dismantling is required. In providing a breakable joint, flanges unfortunately
provide a potential leak path for the service fluid contained in the pipe. Because of
this, as in all other joints, they need to be minimized where possible.
The most prevalent flange standards to be used in industry are based on
requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Standards.
These include:
B16.1 – Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings,
B16.5 - Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings (NPS 1/2 through NPS 24),
B16.24 – Cast Copper Alloy Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings,
B16.36 – Orifice Flanges,
B16.42 – Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings,
Large Diameter Steel Flanges (NPS 26 through NPS 60)
B16.47 – Large Diameter steel flanges (NPS 26 through NPS 60)
NPS, indicated above, is an acronym for Nominal Pipe Size.

FLANGE CLASSIFICATION:

On the basis of connection with pipes

Flanges are available with various contact facings (the flange-to-flange contact
surface) and methods of connecting to the pipe itself. The flanges under B16.5 are
available in a variety of styles and pressure classifications. The different styles, or
types, are denoted by the way each connects to the pipe itself and/or the type of
face. The type of pipe-to-flange connections consist of Threaded, Socket Welding (or
Socket Weld), Slip-On Welding (or Slip-On), Lapped (or Lap Joint), Welding Neck (or
Weld Neck), and Blind.

Threaded Flange

In this type of flange the bore is threaded, thus enabling assembly without welding.
This obviously limits its application to relatively low pressure piping systems. The
flange may be welded around the joint after assembly, but this is not considered a
satisfactory method of increasing its pressure applications.
The primary benefit of threaded flanges is in eliminating the need for welding. In this
regard Threaded flanges are sometimes used in high-pressure service in which the
operating temperature is ambient. They are not suitable where high temperatures,
cyclic conditions or bending stresses can be potential problems.

Socketweld Flange

The Socket weld flange is made so that the pipe is inserted into the socket of the
flange until it hits the shoulder of the socket. The Pipe is then backed away from the
shoulder approximately 1/16” before being welded to the flange hub. If the pipe were
resting against the shoulder (This is the flat shelf area depicted in Fig. as the
difference between diameters B and B2) of the socket joint during welding, heat from
the weld would expand the pipe longitudinally into the shoulder of the socket forcing
the pipe-to-flange weld area to move. This could cause the weld to crack. The
Socket weld flange was initially developed for use on small size, high-pressure
piping in which both a back-side hub weld and an internal shoulder weld was made.
This provided a static strength equal to the Slip-On flange with a fatigue strength 1.5
times that of the Slip-On flange. Because the two-welds were labour intensive it
became the practice to weld only at the hub of the flange. In doing this it relegated
the socket weld flange to be more frequently used for small pipe sizes (NPS 2” and
below) in non-high-pressure, utility type service piping. The Socket weld flange is not
approved above Class 1500.

Slip-On Flange
Unlike the Socketweld flange, the Slip-On flange allows the pipe to be inserted
completely through its hub opening. Two welds are made to secure the flange to the
pipe. One fillet (pronounced “fill-it”) weld is made at the hub of the flange and a
second weld is made at the inside diameter of the flange near the flange face. The
end of the pipe is offset from the face of the flange by a distance equal to the lesser
of the pipe wall thickness or 1/4” plus approximately 1/16”. This is to allow for
enough room to make the internal fillet weld without damaging the flange face.
The Slip-On flange is a preferred flange for many applications because of its initial
lower cost, the reduced need for cut length accuracy and the reduction in end prep
time. However, the final installed cost is probably not much less than that of a Weld
Neck flange. The strength of a Slip-On flange under internal pressure is about 40%
less than that of a Weld Neck flange. The fatigue rate is about 66% less than that of
a Weld Neck flange. The Slip-On flange is not approved above Class 1500.

Lap Joint Flange

The Lap Joint flange requires a companion lap joint, or Type A stub-end to complete
the joint. The installer is then able to rotate the flange. This allows for quick bolthole
alignment of the mating flange during installation without taking the extra precautions
required during prefabrication of a welded flange.
Their pressure holding ability is about the same as a Slip-On flange. The fatigue life
of a Lap Joint/stub-end combination is about 10% that of a Weld Neck flange, with
an initial cost that is a little higher than that of a Weld Neck flange.
The real cost benefit in using a Lap Joint flange assembly is realized when installing
a stainless steel or other costly alloy piping system. In many cases the designer can
elect to use a stub-end specified with the same material as the pipe, but use a less
costly, e.g. carbon steel, Lap Joint Flange. This prevents the need of having to weld
a more costly compatible alloy flange to the end of the pipe.
Just a quick word about stub-ends; they are actually prefabricated or cast pipe flares
that are welded directly to the pipe. They are available in three different types: Type
A, (which is the lap-joint stub-end), Type B and Type C .
Type A is forged or cast with an outside radius where the flare begins. This radius
conforms to the radius on the inside of the Lap-Joint flange. The mating side of the
flare has a serrated surface. Type B is forged or cast without the radius where the
flare begins. It is used to accommodate the Slip-On flange or Plate flange as a back-
up flange.
Type C is fabricated from pipe using five suggested methods indicated in ASME
B31.3. The most prevalent of these is the machine flare. This is done by placing a
section of pipe into a flaring machine, flaring the end of the pipe and then cutting it to
length.
As you can see in the assembly detail of, stub-end types B & C have no radius at the
flare while Type A does. This allows it to conform to the Lap-Joint flange. Due to the
radius of the type A stub-end, a slip-on flange would have a poor fit, creating non-
uniform loading of the flare face as well as an undesirable point load at the radius of
the flare.

Weld Neck Flange

The reinforcement area of the Weld Neck flange distinguishes it from other flanges.
This reinforcement area is formed by the added metal thickness, which tapers from
the hub of the flange to the weld end. The bore of the flange needs to be specified in
order to obtain the same wall thickness at the weld end as the pipe it will be welded
to. This will give it the same ID bore as the pipe.
The Weld Neck flange is actually the most versatile flange in the ASME stable of
flanges. Much of its use is for fitting-to-fitting fabrication in which the flange can be
welded directly to a fitting, such as an elbow, without the need for a short piece of
pipe, as would be required with a Slip-On flange. It can be used in low-pressure,
non-hazardous fluid services as well as high-pressure, high-cyclic and hazardous
fluid services.
While the initial cost of the Weld Neck flange may be higher than that of a Slip-On
flange the installed cost reduces that differential. And for conditions of possible high
thermal loading, either cryogenic or elevated temperatures, the Weld Neck flange
would be essential.

Blind Flange

While the Blind flange is used to cap off the end of a pipeline or a future branch
connection it is also used for other purposes. It can be drilled and tapped for a
threaded reducing flange or machined out for a Slip-On reducing flange. The
reduced opening can be either on-center or eccentric.

ON THE BASIS OF FLANGE FACING

Raised Face Flange

Raised Face flanges are the most common type used in industrial applications due
to their versatility in gasket compatibility, robust construction that prevents flange
rotation under load and the unitized design.

Flat Face Flange

Mating faces of both flanges are flat across the entire face both inside and outside
the bolts. These unconfined gaskets require a mechanical stop to control
compression height, such as a spiral wound gasket, should be designed with this
consideration.
Tongue and Groove Flange

Compressibility characteristics of the confined design need to be taken into

consideration when applying gaskets to this flange style to ensure flange surfaces do
not meet and prevent over-compression on the gasket. The groove width is typically
not wider than 1/16” (1.5 mm) over the tongue width to control gasket compression
and creep relaxation due to gasket migration. The gasket dimensions will typically
match the tongue dimensions.

Male - Female or Recessed Groove Flange

Compressibility characteristics need to be taken into consideration when applying

gaskets to this flange style to ensure flange surfaces do not meet and prevent over
compression on the gasket.

Ring type joint:

This is a method of ensuring leak

proof connection at high pressures.
A metal ring is compressed into
ahexagonal groove on the face of flange
to make the seal. This jointing method
can be employed on weld neck, slip-on and blind flanges.
Flange Specification and
Identification
Specification
A flange is specified by the
following information:
a) Type and
Facing:i.e.whether the flange is for example “Weld Neck,RTJ”or “Socket Weld, RF”.
b) Nominal Pipe Size:required for all flanges,usually in inches.
c) Flange Pressure Class:required for all flanges, e.g. Class 150,300,900,1500,2500
etc.
d) Standard:i.e.ANSIB16.5,BS 1560,API 6A,API 605 or ASME B16.47.
e) Material:a material specification must be stated and will be as quoted in the piping
specification.

Identification
Normally, the flange specification will be hard stamped on the flange. In the case of
existing plant, the information may not be legible and it is then necessary to identify
the flange by visual observation and physical measurement.
a) Visual Observation:required to identify the type of flange and type of gasket used.
b) Physical Measurement:required to identify the nominal bore and the class of the
flange. Check the number of studbolts,

Pipe Flanges - Do’sand Don’ts

Do’s
a) Always visually inspect the surface finish of the flange for inju-rious defects. It
should be clean,degreased and free of any defects,nicks or burrs.The permissible
imperfections in flange surface finish specified in ASME B16.5,Table 3 are not
allowed for critical applications. Raised Face and Flat Faceflanges should also be
checked for flatness with a straight edge.
b) All rust and burrs must be removed,small scratches should be removed by
polishing, other defects may mean component replacement.
c) Check the phonographic or concentric groove on the face of Raised Face and Flat
Faceflanges. Any radial defects for example will be virtually impossible to seal
against.
d) RTJ grooves must be kept scrupulously clean,corrosion free and undamaged.
Don’ts
a) When cleaning a flange face, never use a tool which may damage the surface
finish.A soft wire brush is recommended.
b) Do not use unnecessary force, say by pulling, to bring flanges which are clearly
misaligned together. This may overstress adjacent pipework and will make sealing of
the flanged joint difficult and unreliable. Instead, report the situation.
c) Do not mate flanges manufactured to different standards unless specified in an
approved design.
Flange Surface Finish
To create a seal,gasket has to fill up the voids in the flange surface present because
of surface finish and any flange rotation (or relative distortion) between the two
surfaces.
The flange surface will thus give a broad indication of which gasket materials are
likely to be suitable. Finishes of standard raised face flanges usually fall within the
range 3.2 to 12.5mm,but this may be expressed in micro inch or roughness number.
a) Sheet Jointing The recommended surface finish for the compressed fibre jointing
(above a thickness of 1 mm) is 3.2mm to 12.5mm Ra (125min 500min. CLA).These
values are also used for graphite laminate (above a thickness of 0.8mm). For tongue
and groove flange facings or for very thin gaskets (0.4mm or below),a surface finish
of 1.6mm to 6.3mm Ra (63 to 200 in.CLA) is possible.

The Gasket

A gasket is a compressible material, or a combination of materials, which when

clamped between two stationary members prevents the passage of the media across
those members. The gasket material selected must be capable of sealing mating
surfaces, resistant to the medium being sealed, and able to withstand the application
temperatures and pressures.
How Does It Work?
A seal is effected by the action of force upon the gasket surface. This force which
compresses the gasket, causes it to flow into the flange macro and micro
imperfections. The combination of contact stress, generated by the applied force
between the gasket and the flange, and the densification of the gasket material,
prevents the escape of the confined fluid from the assembly.
Flange Imperfections
On seating, the gasket must be capable of overcoming the macro and micro
imperfections. Macro defects are imperfections such as flange distortions, non-
parallelism, scoring, troughs, while superficial imperfections such as minor scratches
and minor scores are considered micro imperfections. ASME PCC-1can be referred
for information on acceptable flange blemishes.

Forces On The Gasket

In order to ensure the maintenance of the seal throughout the life expectancy of the
assembly, sufficient stress must remain on the gasket surface to prevent leakage.
The residual bolt load on the gasket should at all times be greater than the
hydrostatic end force acting against it. The hydrostatic end force is the force
produced by the internal pressure which acts to separate the flanges.
Considerations For Gasket Selection
Many factors should be considered when selecting a gasket to ensure its suitability
for the intended application. Gasket properties as well as flange configuration and
application details are part of the selection process.

Gasket Selection:

Gaskets can be classified into three categories: soft cut, semi-metallic and metallic
types. The physical properties and performance of a gasket will vary extensively,
depending on the type of gasket selected and the materials from which it is
manufactured.
Physical properties are important factors when considering gasket design and the
primary selection of a gasket type is based on the following:
• Temperature of the media to be contained
• Pressure of the media to be contained
• Corrosive nature of the application
• Criticality of the application

CLASSIFICATION OF GASKETS

Non-metallic gasket
Sheet materials are used in low to medium pressure services. With careful selection
these gaskets are not only suitable for general service but also for extreme chemical
services and temperatures.
Types: Compressed Fiber Sheets, PTFE, Biaxially Orientated Reinforced PTFE,
Graphite, elastomer, Insulating Gaskets. Non-metallic gaskets should always be of
the minimum thickness consistent with the style of the flanges to be sealed, and
compatible with the medium.

Elastomers
An Elastomer is a polymer with the physical property of elasticity. Elastomer is a
term derived from elastic polymer, which is often used interchangeably with the term
rubber. Each of the monomers which link to form the polymer is usually made of
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and/or silicon. Elastomers are usually thermosets
requiring a curing process involving heat and the addition of sulfur or other
equivalent curatives. In addition, elastomers might also be thermoplastic.
SBR (Styrene-Butadiene)
SBR is a synthetic rubber that has excellent abrasion resistance and has good
resistance to weak organic acids, alcohols, moderate chemicals and ketones. It is
not good in ozone, strong acids, fats, oils, greases and most hydrocarbons. Its
temperature range would be from approximately -65°F to 250°F (-54°C to 121°C).
CR-Chloroprene (Neoprene)
Chloroprene is a synthetic rubber that is suitable for use against moderate acids,
alkalies and salt solutions. It has good resistance to commercial oils and fuels. It is
very poor against strong oxidizing acids, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Its
temperature range would be from approximately -60°F to 250°F (-51°C to 121°C).
Buna-N/Rubber (Nitrile, NBR)
Buna-N is a synthetic rubber that has good resistance to oils and solvents, aromatic
and aliphatic hydrocarbons, petroleum oils and gasoline over a wide range of
temperature. It also has good resistance to caustics and salts but only fair acid
resistance. It is poor in strong oxidizing agents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones
and esters. It is suitable over a temperature range of approximately -60°F to 250°F (-
51°C to 121°C).
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
This synthetic material has good resistance to strong acids, alkalies, salts and
chlorine solutions. It is not suitable for use in oils, solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons.
Its temperature range would be between -70°F to 350°F (-57°C to 177°C).
Fluorocarbon (Viton®)
Fluorocarbon elastomer has good resistance to oils, fuel, chlorinated solvents,
aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and strong acids. It is not suitable for use
against amines, esters, ketones or steam. Its normal temperature range would be
between -15°F to 450°F (-26°C to 232°C).
Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (Hypalon®)
Hypalon® has good acid, alkali and salt resistance. It resists weathering, sunlight,
ozone, oils and commercial fuels such as diesel and kerosene. It is not good in
aromatics or chlorinated hydrocarbons and has poor resistance against chromic acid
and nitric acid. It’s normal temperature range would be between -50°F and 275°F (-
46°C and 135°C).
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber has good resistance to mild acids and alkalis, salts and chlorine
solutions. It has poor resistance to oils and solvents and is not recommended for use
with ozone. Its temperature range is very limited and is suitable only for use from
-70°F to 200°F (-57°C to 93°C).
Silicones
Silicone rubbers have good resistance to hot air. They are unaffected by sunlight and
ozone. They are not, however, suitable for use against steam, aliphatic and aromatic
hydrocarbons. The temperature range would be between -65°F to 500°F (-54°C to
260°C).
Vegetable Fiber Sheet
Vegetable fiber sheet is a tough pliable gasket material manufactured by paper
making techniques utilizing plant fibers and a glue-glycerine impregnation. It is
widely used for sealing petroleum products, gases and a wide variety of solvents. Its
maximum temperature limit is 250°F (121°C). If a more compressible material is
required, a combination cork-fiber sheet is available. The cork-fiber sheet has the
same maximum temperature limitation as the vegetable fiber sheet.
Note: Viton® and Hypalon® are registered trademarks of DuPont.
Compressed Non-Asbestos
Early efforts to replace asbestos resulted in the introduction and testing of
compressed non-asbestos products in the 1970’s. Many of these products have
seen extensive use since that period, however there have been enough problems to
warrant careful consideration in choosing a replacement material for compressed
asbestos. Most manufacturers of non-asbestos sheet materials use synthetic fibers,
like aramid or Kevlar®, in conjunction with an elastomeric binder. The elastomeric
binder makes up a larger percentage of this sheet and thereby becomes a more
important consideration when determining applications.
Flexible Graphite
This is an all graphite material containing no resins or inorganic fillers. It is available
with or without a metal insertion, and in adhesive-back tape form. Flexible Graphite
has outstanding resistance to corrosion against a wide variety of acids, alkalies and
salt solutions, organic compounds, and heat transfer fluids, even at high
temperatures. There are two proven metal reinforced flexible graphite laminate
materials ideal for 95% of all sheet gasket applications.
Graphite Tape
Rolls of graphite tape can be furnished with a strong self-adhesive backing strip, to
facilitate repair of prelaminated surfaces, enhancement of existing design or
installation as a form-in-place gasket.

(Polytetrafluoroethylene)
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) has emerged as the most common thermoplastic
gasket material.
PTFE’s outstanding properties include resistance to temperature extremes from
cryogenic to 450°F (232°C) (for virgin material). PTFE is highly resistant to
chemicals, solvents, caustics and acids except free fluorine and alkali metals. It has
a very low surface energy and does not adhere to the flanges. PTFE gaskets can be
supplied in a variety of forms; either as virgin or reprocessed material, and also with
a variety of filler material. The principal advantage in adding fillers to PTFE is to
inhibit cold flow or creep relaxation.

.
High Temperature Sheet Products
MICA
Mica sheet is a readily-processible form comprised of a high percentage of mineral
held together with small amount of silicon binder. Its lamellar and non-fibrous
structure, together with the low ratio of binder allows for a significant reduction of
weight loss at elevated temperatures, and especially when compared to other high
temperature compositions. It resists a wide array of chemicals and is unaffected by
water, acids, bases, solvents and mineral oils. Mica sheet is used in automobile
exhaust manifolds, gas turbines, gas and oil burners, heat exchangers and other
bolted flanged connections.
Ceramic Fiber Ceramic fiber is available in sheet or blanket form and makes an
excellent gasket material for hot air duct work with low pressures and light flanges. It
is satisfactory for service up to approximately 2000ºF (1093ºC). Ceramic material is
also used as a filler material in spiral wound gaskets.

Insulating Sets
Insulating sets comprise of a phenolic laminate or neoprene faced phenolic laminate
gasket (Style NCA and NCB only) which is located between the flange sealing faces,
phenolic laminate bolt sleeves, two insulating washers per bolt for maximum
protection and two plated mild steel washers per bolt. Stainless steel washers can be
supplied upon request. Insulating sets are essentially used for pipeline flange
corrosion protection, where a seal is required between dissimilar flange materials.
The use of dissimilar metallic flanges with a conductive gasket material accompanied
with a suitable electrolyte may set up a galvanic cell which will corrode the anodic
metal. Insulating sets are also used to electrically isolate flange joints, preventing the
flow of electrostatic charge along pipelines.
There are three standard styles of insulating sets available to suit raised face, flat
face, and ring grooved flanges, as illustrated below.

Section Two: Semi-Metallic Gaskets

Semi-Metallic gaskets are designed to feature soft, pliable sealing materials - which
enhance the tightness of the assembly with lower overall load requirements when
compared to full metallic gaskets. They are most popular due to this configuration,
and are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes. They can typically be
fabricated of any metal which is available in thin strip or sheet, and which can be
welded. Therefore, they can be used against virtually any corrosive medium
dependent upon the choice of the metal and filler/facing material. Additionally, they
can be used over the complete temperature range from cryogenic to approximately
2000ºF (1093ºC). Semi-metallic gaskets can generally be used in pressures ranging
from vacuum to those seen in ASME B16.5 standard 2500 pressure class flange
ratings. They are resilient and, as a consequence, can compensate somewhat for
flange movement that may occur due to temperature gradients, variations of
pressure and vibration.
Spiral wound gaskets have become extremely popular due to the wide variety of
available styles and sizes. Spiral wound gaskets can be fabricated of any metal
which is available in thin strip and which can be welded; therefore, they can be used
against virtually any corrosive medium dependent upon the choice of the metal and
filler. They can be used over the complete temperature range from cryogenic to
approximately 2000ºF (1093ºC). This type of gasket can be used in all pressures
from vacuum to the standard 2500 pressure class flange ratings. Spiral wound
gaskets can also be manufactured with variable densities, i.e. relatively low density
gaskets for vacuum service up to extremely high density gaskets having a seating
stress of approximately 30,000 psi (207 MPa). The softer gaskets would require a
seating stress in the range of 5,000 psi (34 MPa).
Variable Density Spiral wound gaskets are manufactured by alternately winding
strips of metal and soft fillers on the outer edge of winding mandrels that determine
the inside dimensions of the wound component. In the winding process, the
alternating plies are maintained under pressure. Varying the pressure during the
winding operation and/or the thickness of the soft filler, the density of the gasket can
be controlled over a wide range. As a general rule, low winding pressure and thick
soft fillers are used for low pressure applications. Thin fillers and high pressure loads
are used for high pressure applications. This, of course, would account for the higher
bolt loads that have to be applied to the gasket in high pressure applications. In
addition to all these advantages of the spiral wound gasket, they are relatively low
cost. Available sizes and Thicknesses Lamons spiral wound gaskets are available in
thicknesses of 0.0625” (1.5 mm), 0.100” (2.5 mm), 0.125” (3 mm), 0.175” (4 mm),
0.250” (6.4 mm), and 0.285” (7 mm). The chart on page 47 indicates the size range
that can normally be fabricated in the various thicknesses along with the
recommended compressed thickness of each and the maximum flange width.
Flange Surface Finish
Use of spiral wound gaskets gives the designer and the user a wider tolerance for
flange surface finishes than other metallic gaskets. While they can be used against
most commercially available flange surface finishes, experience has indicated that
the appropriate flange surface finishes used with spiral wound gaskets are as
follows:
• 125 to 250 AARH optimum
• 500 AARH maximum
Double Color Coding for spiral wound Gaskets per ASME B16.20
 RTJ gaskets
Ring joint gaskets come in two basic types, an oval cross section (Style 377)
and an octagonal
cross section (Style 388). These basic shapes are used in pressures up to
10,000 psi (64
MPa). The dimensions are standardized and require specially grooved
flanges. The octagonal
cross section has a higher sealing efficiency than the oval and would be the
preferred gasket.
However, only the oval cross section can be used in the old type round
bottom groove. The
newer flat bottom groove design will accept either the oval or the octagonal
cross section.
The sealing surfaces on the ring joint grooves must be smoothly finished to 63
micro inches
and be free of objectionable ridges, tool or chatter marks. RTJ assemblies
seal by an initial
line contact or an edging action as the compressive forces are applied.
The hardness of the ring should always be less than the hardness of the
flanges to prevent
flange deformation. Dimensions for standard ring joint gaskets and grooves
are covered in
ASME B16.20 and API 6A, API 17D and ASME B16.5/B16.20.
Style R
The Style R ring type joint is manufactured in accordance with API 6A and ASME
B16.20, to suit API 6B and ASME B16.5 flanges.
Style R ring type joints are manufactured in both oval and octagonal configurations.
Both styles are interchangeable on the modern flat bottom groove, however only the
oval style can be used in the old type round bottom groove.
Style R ring type joints are designed to seal pressure up to 6,250 psi in accordance
with ASME B16.5 pressure ratings and up to 5,000 psi in accordance with API 6A
pressure ratings.
Style RX
The Style RX ring type joint is manufactured in accordance with API 6A and ASME
B16.20, to suit API 6B and ASME B16.5 flanges.
The Style RX is designed to fit the modern flat bottom groove, and is
interchangeable
with the standard Style R ring type joint. However, since the Style RX is significantly
taller than a Style R, larger flange make up distances will result.
Style RX ring type joints are designed to seal pressures up to 6,250 psi in
accordance
with ASME B16.5 pressure ratings, and up to 5,000 psi in accordance with
API 6A pressure ratings. Selected sizes incorporate a pressure passage hole to
allow
for pressure equalization each side of the sealing faces.
Style BX
The Style BX ring type joint is manufactured in accordance with API 6A.
All BX ring type joints incorporate a pressure passage hole to allow for pressure
equalization each side of the sealing faces. On assembly, metal to metal contact of
the flange faces is achieved. The Style BX is not interchangeable with any other
style, and is only suited for API 6BX flanges. Style BX ring type joints are designed
to seal pressure up to 20,000 psi in accordance with API 6A pressure ratings.
Styles SRX and SBX
Styles SRX and SBX are derived from Styles RX and BX, and are produced in line
with the API Standard 17 D for use on subsea wellhead and Christmas tree
equipment.

Lens Ring
In certain applications, the specification of a high integrity metallic seal has usually
lead to the selection of the Lens Ring concept, rather than the more generally
recognized ring type joint solution. The Lens Ring is covered solely by the DIN 2696
specification. However, ASME B16.5 and other flange types can be modified to
accept the Lens Ring. The Lens Ring provides a metallic gasket design incorporating
spherical seating faces designed to suit specifically mating flange recesses,
providing the user with a high integrity, high pressure/temperature metal to metal
seal.
As with all metallic gaskets, the Lens Ring material should be specified softer than
the flange material, thus ensuring applied compressive load leads to the
elastic/plastic deformation of the lens ring and not the flange sealing face. The
distribution of high compressive loads leads to the spread of the gasket facings,
ensuring over stressing of the gasket is prevented. In accordance with DIN 2696
general materials are limited to a range of specified carbon steels and stainless steel
grades, although alternative grades are available upon request.
Semi metallic gasket
These are composite gaskets consisting of both metallic and non-metallic materials.
The metal provides the strength and the resilience of the gasket and the non-metallic
component provides the conformable sealing material. These gaskets are suitable
for low and high pressure and temperature applications. A wide range of materials is
available.
Types: Spiral Wound Gaskets, covered serrated metal core, Metal Jacketed
Gaskets, MRG’s (metal reinforced gaskets).

Metallic gasket
These gaskets can be fabricated in a variety of shapes and sizes recommended for
use in high pressure/temperature applications. Except for weld ring gaskets, high
loads are required to seat metallic gaskets, as they rely on the deformation or
coining of the material into the flange surfaces.
Types: Ring Type Joints, Lens Rings, Weld Rings, Solid Metal Gaskets.