GS 142-7

SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT

RINGS FOR BOLTED FLANGED
JOINTS
September 1992

Copyright © The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.

Copyright © The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
All rights reserved. The information contained in this document is
subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement or contract under
which the document was supplied to the recipient's organisation. None
of the information contained in this document shall be disclosed outside
the recipient's own organisation without the prior written permission of
Manager, Standards, BP Engineering, BP International Limited, unless
the terms of such agreement or contract expressly allow.
 BP GROUP RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING

Issue Date September 1992

Doc. No. GS 142-7 Latest Amendment Date

Document Title
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT
RINGS FOR BOLTED
FLANGED JOINTS
(Replaces BP Engineering Standard 173)

APPLICABILITY
Regional Applicability: International
Business Applicability: All Businesses
SCOPE AND PURPOSE

This document provides information and a data sheet to facilitate placing enquiries and
purchase orders for gaskets and joint rings for bolted flanged joints.

Section 5 refers to British Standards

Appendix C provides guidance on selection

AMENDMENTS
Amd Date Page(s) Description
___________________________________________________________________

CUSTODIAN (See Quarterly Status List for Contact)

Fluid & Pressure Containment, BPE
Issued by:-
Engineering Practices Group, BP International Limited, Research & Engineering Centre
Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7LN, UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 1932 76 4067 Fax: +44 1932 76 4077 Telex: 296041
 CONTENTS

Section Page
FOREWORD .................................................................................................................. iii
1. GENERAL................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Scope............................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Data Sheet ....................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Health, Safety and Environmental Requirements............................................... 1
1.4 Quality System................................................................................................. 1
2. NON METALLIC FLAT GASKETS....................................................................... 1
3. METALLIC AND SEMI METALLIC GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS .............. 2
3.1 Metal Jacketed Gaskets.................................................................................... 2
3.2 Spiral Wound Gaskets...................................................................................... 2
4. SOLID METAL JOINT RINGS............................................................................... 2
5. REGIONAL ANNEXES ........................................................................................... 2
5.1 United Kingdom............................................................................................... 2
5.1.1 CAF Flat Gaskets............................................................................ 2
5.1.2 Spiral Wound Gaskets..................................................................... 3
DATA SHEET................................................................................................................. 4
APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................. 5
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS............................................................. 5
APPENDIX B.................................................................................................................. 6
LIST OF REFERENCED DOCUMENTS ............................................................. 6
APPENDIX C.................................................................................................................. 7
SUPPLEMENTARY COMMENTARY ................................................................ 7
C1 Bolted Flanged Joints ....................................................................................... 7
C2 Guidance on Selection of Joint Type and Materials........................................... 7
C3 General Comments on Asbestos Usage............................................................. 7
C4 Non-Metallic Flat Gaskets................................................................................ 9
C5 Spiral Wound and Metal Jacketed Gaskets ....................................................... 12
C5.1 Spiral Wound (SW) Gaskets.......................................................................... 12
C6 Solid Metal Joint Rings .................................................................................... 15
APPENDIX D.................................................................................................................. 17
EXAMPLE DATA SHEETS ................................................................................. 17

GS 142-7 PAGE i
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 FOREWORD

Introduction to BP Group Recommended Practices and Specifications for Engineering

The Introductory Volume contains a series of document that provide an introduction to the
BP Group Recommended Practices and Specifications for Engineering (RPSEs). In
particular, the 'General Foreword' sets out the philosophy of the RPSEs. Other documents in
the Introductory volume provide general guidance on using the RPSEs and background
information to Engineering Standards in BP. There are also recommendations for specific
definitions and requirements.

Value of this Guidance for Specification

This document sets out information required for the selection and purchase of gaskets and
joint rings for bolted flanged joints for use in existing facilities or for new projects and is
applicable to onshore or offshore requirements.

Application

This Guidance for Specification is intended as a basis for a purchaser to create a fit-for-
purpose specification.

Text in italics is Commentary. Commentary provides background information which supports

the requirements of the Specification, and may discuss alternative options.

This document may refer to certain local, national or international regulations but the
responsibility to ensure compliance with legislation and any other statutory requirements lies
with the user. The user should adapt or supplement this document to ensure compliance for
the specific application.

Specification Ready for Application

A Specification (BP Spec 142-7) is available which may be suitable for enquiry or purchasing
without modification. It is derived from this BP Group Guidance for Specification by
retaining the technical body unaltered but omitting all commentary, omitting the data page and
inserting a modified Foreword.

Principal Changes from Previous Edition

This specification uses a 'zero-based' approach to define BP's essential requirements.

GS 142-7 PAGE iii

SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
Feedback and Further Information

Users are invited to feed back any comments and to detail experiences in the application of
BP RPSE's, to assist in the process of their continuous improvement.
For feedback and further information, please contact Standards Group, BP Engineering or the
Custodian. See Quarterly Status List for contacts.

GS 142-7 PAGE iv
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
1. GENERAL

1.1 Scope

This Specification covers requirements for supply of gaskets and joint

rings for use with bolted flanged joints, primarily in piping systems and
for connections of piping to equipment.

Guidance on the selection and specification of joint type and materials is provided
in Appendix C. Table C1 summarises suitable jointing for piping flanges for
various services. This guidance is also generally applicable to non-standard bolted
joints e.g. valve bonnets.

1.2 Data Sheet

The data sheet attached to this Specification covers joint requirements

for purchase.

Examples of typical completed data sheets are given in Appendix D.

1.3 Health, Safety and Environmental Requirements

Legislative requirements, and BP Group or local guidelines regarding Health,

Safety and the Environment may apply to gasket selection. See further
commentary in Appendix C1.

1.3.1 Material safety data sheets shall be available for all jointing materials.

1.3.2 The supplier shall provide details of any necessary protective equipment
to be used when handling jointing materials.

Any jointing containing Compressed Asbestos Fibre shall be suitably

packaged and labelled both on the packaging and gasket materials
'Contains Asbestos'.

1.4 Quality System

Verification of the vendor's quality system is normally part of the pre-qualification

procedure, and is therefore not specified in the core text of this Specification. If
this is not the case, clauses should be inserted to require the vendor to operate and
be prepared to demonstrate the quality system to the purchaser.

Further suggestions may be found in the BP Group RPSEs Introductory Volume.

2. NON METALLIC FLAT GASKETS

Non-metallic flat gaskets for flanges to ANSI B16.5, API 605, MSS SP-44 and ANSI
B16.1 shall be to ANSI B16.21.

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 Non-metallic flat gaskets for use with raised face flanges should be either self-centring within the
flange bolts or full face type.

Gaskets with outside diameter matching the raised face of flanges should not be used.

Full face gaskets are recommended for raised face flanges smaller than 2 inch NB to avoid potential
problems of incorrect size gaskets being fitted. For 2 inch NB and above self-centring gaskets should
be used for raised face flanges.

Non-metallic flat gaskets for use with flat face flanges should be full face.

3. METALLIC AND SEMI METALLIC GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS

3.1 Metal Jacketed Gaskets

Metal jacketed gaskets for ANSI B16.5, API 605 and MSS SP-44
flanges shall be of the double jacket type and shall comply with the
requirements and dimensions of API 601.

3.2 Spiral Wound Gaskets

Spiral wound gaskets for ANSI B16.5, API 605 and MSS SP-44
flanges shall comply with the requirements and dimensions of API 601.

4. SOLID METAL JOINT RINGS

4.1 Solid metal joint rings for wellhead equipment to API 6A shall comply
with the requirements of API 6A.

4.2 Solid metal joint rings for piping and pipeline flanges to ANSI B16.5
and MSS SP-44 shall comply with ANSI B16.20.

4.3 When specified, Monel 400 joint rings shall have a maximum Brinell
Hardness of 135, and be identified by the material symbol M400.

5. REGIONAL ANNEXES

This section supplements the foregoing international requirements, to assist with

application in the particular regions identified.

5.1 United Kingdom

5.1.1 CAF Flat Gaskets

CAF gaskets for oil refinery and chemical plant use shall comply with
BS 1832

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 CAF gaskets for aviation fuels, di-ester type synthetic lubrication oils
and similar duties shall comply with BS F125

5.1.2 Spiral Wound Gaskets

Spiral wound gaskets to BS 3381 may be used with flanges to BS

1560.

SW gaskets to BS 3381 are also suitable for use with flanges to ANSI B16.5, API
605 and MSS SP-44.

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FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 DATA SHEET

Project: Enq/Order No.

Service: Pressure Rating:
Flange Std. Design Temp.
Gasket Std. Gasket Type
Material
Flat Joints:
Basic Material
Graphited
Jacket/Envelope

Spiral Wound:
Filler/Winding
Centring Ring
Inner Ring

Metallic Joint Rings:

Material
Hardness

Dimensions:
Nominal Size
Full Face
Inside Bolts
Ring No/Type (Oval or Oct)
Thickness

Additional Requirements:

Data Sheet No. Date Rev

GS 142-7 PAGE 4
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 APPENDIX A

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Definitions

Standardised definitions may be found in the BP Group RPSEs Introductory Volume.

Abbreviations

ANSI American National Standards Institute

API American Petroleum Institute

BS British Standard

CAF Compressed Asbestos Fibre

MSS Manufacturers' Standardization Society (USA)

NB Nominal Bore (Pipe Size)

PTFE Polytetrafluorethylene

RF Raised Face

RTJ Solid Metal Ring Joint

SW Spiral Wound

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 APPENDIX B

LIST OF REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

A reference invokes the latest published issue or amendment unless stated otherwise.

Referenced standards may be replaced by equivalent standards that are internationally or

otherwise recognised provided that it can be shown to the satisfaction of the purchaser's
professional engineer that they meet or exceed the requirements of the referenced standards.

American Documents

ANSI B16.5: Steel Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

ANSI B16.1: Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

ANSI B16.20: Ring-Joint Gaskets and Grooves for Steel Pipe Flanges

ANSI B16.21: Nonmetallic Flat Gaskets for Pipe Flanges

API 601: Metallic Gaskets for Raised-Face Pipe Flanges and Flanged
Connections.

API 605: Large-Diameter Carbon Steel Flanges

API 6A: Specification for Valves and Wellhead Equipment

MSS SP-44: Manufacturers' Standardization Society - Steel Pipe Line

Flanges

British Documents

BS 1560: Circular Flanges for Pipes, Valves and Fittings

BS 3381: Spiral Wound Gaskets for Steel Flanges to BS 1560

BS 1832: Oil Resistant Compressed Asbestos Fibre Jointing

BS F125: Rubber Bonded Compressed Asbestos Fibre Jointing

GS 142-7 PAGE 6
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 APPENDIX C

SUPPLEMENTARY COMMENTARY

C1 Bolted Flanged Joints

The gasket or joint ring is but one component of a bolted flanged joint. The
suitability of a particular gasket or joint ring must be established from consideration
of the type and material of the flanges, flange facing and finish, quantity and type of
bolting, service conditions, any specific requirements regarding leak tightness for
Health, Safety or Environmental reasons, and any limitations on gasket materials
e.g., use of asbestos.

Due consideration should be given to control of fugitive emissions from the

completed joint by appropriate gasket selection.

For many applications joint selection will be specified in the piping or vessel
specification.

Proper bolting up procedures, using appropriate equipment, are essential to ensure

the correct and satisfactory joint assembly.

C2 Guidance on Selection of Joint Type and Materials

The following guidance applies where pre-selection has not been carried out.

Table C1 summarises suitable jointing for piping flanges for various services. Use of
jointing outside the ranges given may be acceptable but should be evaluated for each
application. Additional guidance is given in sections C.4, C.5 and C.6.

Joint design maximum and minimum temperatures should be taken to be the same as
the process design temperatures.

C3 General Comments on Asbestos Usage

Before asbestos is selected as jointing or filler material, any restrictions imposed by

health or environmental regulations in the country of use should be established.
However, any perception of increased health risk in handling the material should be
balanced against proven plant operational safety in those applications identified in
this standard.

Asbestos in whatever form must be handled, stored and disposed of under specific site
procedures which may be based on BP Group Occupational Health guidance.

Disposal costs should be assessed as part of the whole life cost in selecting
appropriate materials.

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 TABLE C1

Flange Design Conditions

Service Pressure Class Temp °C Flange Gasket Selection
Facing
General -200/+500 RF Flex. Graphite Sheet [7]
Hydrocarbon, -40/+400 RF Flat CAF [1]
Steam/Condensate, 150 Spiral Wound [5] [6]
Boiler Feed 300 -200/+500 RF (Flex. Graphite Filler)
Water,
General -40/+500 RF Spiral Wound [1] [5] [6]
Utilites [3] [4] (Asbestos Filler)
General - 40/+500 RF Spiral Wound [1] [6]
Hydrocarbon, 600 (Asbestos Filler)
Steam/Condensate, 900 Spiral Wound [6]
Boiler Feed -200/+500 RF (Flex. Graphite Filler)
Water

General
Hydrocarbon, 1500 per flange RTJ Metal Joint Ring [4]
Steam, Boiler 2500 material
Feed Water
150
300 -200/+500 RF Spiral Wound [5] [6]
Hydrogen 600 (Flex. Graphite Filler)
900 per flange
1500 material RTJ Metal Joint Ring [4]
2500

Chemical 150 -40/+250 RF PTFE (reinforced or

Oxidisers/ envelope)
HF Acid 150
300 - 200/+250 RF Spiral Wound [6]
600 (PTFE Filler)

Notes to Table C1

1. Local limitations may apply to the use of asbestos (see C3).

2. Other non-asbestos flat sheet gaskets may be considered for utility service, guidance
is given in C4.4.

3. Flat face flanges may be used for Class 150 water services. Flat faced flanges should
be used for rubber or plastic lined pipe (a gasket may not be required where the
lining extends over both flange faces).

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4. Some successful experience has been gained with the use of SW gaskets with flexible
graphite filler for these applications, additional advice is given in C5.1(i).

5. Use of SW gaskets with Class 150 flanges should be fully assessed, additional advice
is given in C5.1.

6. Suitable materials should be specified for windings, inner and centring rings.

7. Users should consider the robustness of flexible graphite sheet gaskets for their
application.

C4 Non-Metallic Flat Gaskets

C4.1 General

(a) Non-metallic flat sheet gaskets are suitable in pressure classes

150 and 300 for all services except hydrogen, subject to the
limitations imposed by the individual materials.

(b) Non-metallic flat sheet gaskets are available in numerous

materials, including compressed asbestos fibre (CAF),
reinforced graphite and PTFE. Many proprietary non-
asbestos fibre based gaskets are also now available, however
full evaluation of these materials is strongly recommended
before their use.

*(c) For flat gaskets, flange faces should be machined to a surface

roughness between 3.2 and 12.5 micrometres, except where the
manufacturer of a selected proprietary gasket advises
otherwise.

C4.2 Compressed Asbestos Fibre Flat Sheet Gaskets

(a) Compressed asbestos fibre (CAF) flat gasket sheet material has
a long successful operating history on general use over the
temperature range -40°C to +400°C. As the exact minimum
and maximum temperatures depend on the selection of filler
and binder materials, any proposed use outside this range
should be assessed with the manfacturer concerned.

(b) Pre-cut gaskets should be specified. Cutting of gaskets should

be avoided.

(c) Unless required with special properties, CAF gaskets should be

specified oil resistant to be suitable for oil refinery and
chemical plant duty.

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 Gaskets should be specified to an appropriate stan
dard when required for aviation fuels, di-ester type synthetic
lubrication oils and similar duties where control of swell
characteristics is required.

(d) CAF flat gaskets should be supplied graphited on both sides to

help sealing and subsequent removal of the gasket, except
where graphite may promote corrosion of the flanges.

Ungraphited gaskets should be specified for:-

(i) austenitic stainless steel flanges on aqueous duties

(ii) agressive water duties, e.g. where cement lined pipe is

used.

(e) CAF flat gaskets should be specified 1.5 mm thick for flanges
up to 24 inch NB and 3.00 mm thick for larger flanges. As a
general rule, the thinner the gasket the better, but above 24
inch NB, thin gaskets can be difficult to handle. 1.5 mm
gaskets are acceptable on larger sizes where they can be
handled satisfactorily.

C4.3 Reinforced Flexible Graphite Flat Gaskets

(a) Flexible graphite flat gaskets have sealing character-istics

which are as good as CAF gaskets. The applic-able
temperature range is -200°C to +500°C. However these
gaskets are soft and prone to damage in handling.

The handleability of flexible graphite sheet gaskets varies

considerably between manufacturers. Graphite sheet may be
reinforced with one or two layers of thin metallic sheets or
perforated metallic mesh. A choice of reinforcing material will
normally be available, typically stainless steel or nickel. The
reinforcing material should be appropriate to the service.

(b) In oxidising environments (including ambient air) flexible

graphite can be oxidised at temperatures above 500°C. It is
recommended that flexible graphite sheet gaskets are not used
above 500°C, unless totally enclosed in a reducing
environment.

C4.4 Non-Asbestos Fibre Flat Gaskets

(a) Most non-asbestos fibre based gaskets are based on aramid,

glass or carbon fibre and use various fillers in addition to the

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 binder. These gaskets do not match CAF in terms of allowable
coincident pressures and temperature ranges. Some
embrittlement with temperature has been reported. Some
manufacturers have also advised against retightening joints in
service because of the possibility of fracturing the gaskets.

(b) Any potential health risk of substitute fibre materials should be

assessed.

(c) It is recommended that non-asbestos fibre based gaskets should

not be specified for hydrocarbon or steam service unless
suitably tested, or experience in similar service is available.

General use on non-essential utility services at Class 150 in the

temperature range -20 to +65°C is considered acceptable.

(d) The manufacturer should be consulted as to the required

thickness of the non-asbestos fibre gasket.

(e) Any proposed use of jointing compounds should be checked

with the gasket manufacturer before use. Some compounds
may adversely affect gaskets' characteristics.

(f) Non-asbestos fibre gaskets should be specified as oil resistant

and have a chloride content of less than 100ppm unless agreed
otherwise.

C4.5 Rubber, Elastomeric and Polymeric Flat Gaskets - General

(a) It is recommended that the advice of materials specialists and

manufacturers is sought when selecting and specifying these
materials except for the application of PTFE which is given
below.

BP Group Research and Engineering at Sunbury can provide

specialist advice.

(b) Jointing materials for water services should not support

Legionella growth.

(c) Jointing materials for potable water must not taint the water.

C4.6 PTFE Flat Gaskets

(a) PTFE gaskets may be suitable where conditions are too

corrosive for CAF or flexible graphite.

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 PTFE is resistant to most fluids except molten alkali metals,
fluorine and some fluorine compounds.

(b) PTFE has limited temperature and stress relaxation properties.

Stress relaxation properties are improved by additives such as
carbon or glass fibres or by envelope construction where the
PTFE has an inner core of resiliant material.

(c) Virgin PTFE is suitable for use at a minimum temperature of -

200°C. The allowable minimum temperature for PTFE
envelope and reinforced gaskets is determined by the filler.
Stainless steel inserts are suitable at -200°C but certain fillers
may limit the minimum temperature to -40°C.

(d) It is recommended that PTFE joints are limited to the following

temperature ranges. These should be confirmed as suitable by
the manufacturer:-

(i) -200°C to +200°C for virgin PTFE

(ii) -40°C to +250°C for PTFE envelope or reinforced

joints.

Excess temperatures may lead to generation of toxic

decomposition products.

(e) Envelope construction joints should use virgin PTFE

(f) Fibre reinforced PTFE joints should be 3 mm thick

(g) PTFE is generally suitable for sour service.

C5 Spiral Wound and Metal Jacketed Gaskets

C5.1 Spiral Wound (SW) Gaskets

(a) The standard of SW gaskets can vary considerably between

manufacturers, it is recommended that gaskets be obtained
only from reputable suppliers.

(b) SW gaskets are recommended for hydrogen service in Class

150 and 300, all services in Class 600, and for all services
except hydrogen in Class 900. SW gaskets are also suitable for
services other than hydrogen in Class 150 and 300, where their
use has benefits over flat gaskets, or where CAF flat gaskets
are not acceptable and flexible graphite flat gaskets are not
preferred.

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 Where SW gaskets are used with standard Class 150 flanges
and smaller sizes of standard Class 300 flanges, the higher
seating load requirements and low bolting availability
necessitates use of high strength bolting and proper bolting up
procedures. The use of gaskets with inner rings also increases
the required bolting load.

Use of SW gaskets in Class 150 joints should be fully assessed

with the gasket supplier.

(c) It is recommended that SW gaskets for use with standard

flanges are supplied with both outer and inner support rings in
all cases where not fully constrained within a groove. Inner
rings increase the recovery characteristics and prevent
unwinding of the gasket. Use of inner rings increases the bolt
load required to compress the gasket.

Inner rings are particulary recommended where:

(i) mechanical or thermal shock loading may occur

(ii) temperature cycling may occur

(iii) graphite or PTFE filler is used

(iv) pressure exceeds 64 barg (900 psig).

Inner rings and windings should be in a corrosion resistant

material. Type 304 or 316 stainless steel is recommended for
windings and inner rings for temperatures up to 800°C.
Higher alloys should be specified for higher temperatures and
highly corrosive media.

Centring rings should normally be coated carbon steel for

service between -40°C and +500°C. Outside this range up to
+800°C, centring rings should be stainless steel. Above
+800°C, nickel alloy centring rings should be specified.

(d) Flexible graphite is suitable as filler for SW gaskets because of

its excellent sealing characteristics, except for use with
martensitic stainless steel flanges where pitting corrosion has
occured in certain tests.

It is recommended that flexible graphite be normally limited to

a maximum service temperature of 500°C, because of possible
oxidation in ambient air. Oxidation of flexible graphite by

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 strong acids may occur at temperatures below 500°C and the
maximum allowable temperature for such services should be
established with the manufacturer. If totally contained within
a reducing environment, flexible graphite may be used at
temperatures in excess of 1000°C.

Flexible graphite filler will provide a fire resistant joint.

(e) Other acceptable filler materials include asbestos compounds,

PTFE and Flexite Super, a proprietary compound from
Flexitallic Co.

The range of application of PTFE and proprietary fillers

should be determined in conjunction with the manufacturer.

(f) Asbestos fillers have provided long successful operational

history for a range of services and conditions. Asbestos fillers
are suitable for the temperature range -40°C to +500°C.

(g) Where asbestos compounds are permitted, SW gaskets with

asbestos filler may be considered in place of CAF flat gaskets
because the asbestos compound is better contained within the
SW gasket windings.

(h) SW gaskets with flexible graphite filler may also be considered

for joints in Class 1500 and 2500 in place of metal joint rings.
The quality of manufacture is critical in such applications.

Successful experience has been obtained by some refineries

where SW gaskets with flexible graphite filler have been used
on hydrocrackers. One refinery reported a problem of
differential expansion causing ring groove cracking of RTJ
flanges and these were successfully replaced by RF flanges and
SW gaskets.

(i) Flange facings for used with SW gaskets should be machined to

a surface roughness between 3.2 and 6.3 micrometres.

(j) Attention is drawn to clauses 1.2.2 and 1.2.4 of API 601

regarding the non-suitability of SW gaskets on ANSI B16.5
slip-on flanges below 1 1/2 inch NB and on all slip-on flanges
to MSS SP-44.

C5.2 Metal Jacketed Gaskets

(a) Metal jacketed gaskets have been predominantly used on heat

exchanger flanges where they seal successfully under

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 temperature swings. They could be considered for more
general use where a flexible gasket is required but where the
filler must be isolated from the process. Otherwise they do not
have benefits over SW gaskets for general piping applications.

(b) Jacket and filler material should be selected to suit the process
fluid and conditions. Attention is drawn to clause 2.3.2 of API
601 which limits the choice of jacket and filler material for
particular flange standards.

(c) Attention is also drawn to clause 1.2.3 of API 601 which

specifies that metal jacketed flanges cannot be used with slip-
on flanges to MSS SP-44.

(d) Flange facings for use with metal jacketed gaskets should be
machined to a maximum surface finish of 2.5 micrometres.

C6 Solid Metal Joint Rings

(a) This section does not apply to flat solid metal joints which are
normally specially designed.

(b) Solid metal joint rings (RTJ) are recommended for all services
in Class 1500 and 2500 flange ratings. Solid metal joint rings
have excellent tightness and tolerance to temperature and
pressure changes once correctly bolted up. Very close
attention must be given to their bolting up. Rings and groove
faces must be free of imperfections.

(c) Materials for joint rings should be compatible with the flange
material and process conditions.

Typical selections for ring materials are:-

(i) carbon steel flange - soft iron or carbon steel ring

(ii) low alloy steel flange - 5% Cr, 1/2% Mo ring

(iii) stainless steel flange - similar grade stainless steel ring.

Where the corrosion allowance for carbon steel flanges is

greater than 1.5 mm a more corrosion-resistant ring should be
specified eg stainless steel.

Consideration should be given to the specification of zinc or

cadmium plated soft iron or carbon steel rings which offer

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 improved corrosion protection whilst in storage and enhanced
protection from external corrosion due to weather.

(d) Ring hardness should be less than flange hardness. If this

cannot be achieved by acceptable materials then SW gaskets
should be considered.

(e) Metal joint rings to ANSI B16.20 can be octagonal or oval.

Oval rings were the original style, and because of line contact
may give better sealing. Octagonal rings have a wider contact
area so are less likely to damage flange groove faces.

ANSI B16.5, ANSI B16.20 and API 6A all now specify flat
bottom ring grooves in flanges. Earlier round bottom grooves
required oval rings to be used. Oval or octagonal rings can be
used in flat bottom grooves.

(f) ANSI B16.20 and API 6A type R gaskets are equivalent and
interchangeable.

(g) API 6A type R and RX gaskets can be used in the same

grooves. Type RX rings are pressure energised and will
potentially give a better seal. However, type RX rings give
greater height then type R rings, requiring more installation
space and longer bolts.

GS 142-7 PAGE 16
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 APPENDIX D

EXAMPLE DATA SHEETS

The following examples (Data Sheet Nos. 001-004) illustrate the method of use and
information which may be given on data sheets.

GS 142-7 PAGE 17
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 DATA SHEET (EXAMPLE)

Project: XYZ Enq/Order No. 123

Service: General Hydrocarbons Pressure Rating: Class 150
Flange Std. ANSI B16.5 Design Temp. -40 to +400°C
Gasket Std. ANSI B16.21 Gasket Type Flat Ring
Material
Flat Joints:
Basic Material CAF (BS 1832)
Graphited Yes - both sides
Jacket/Envelope

Spiral Wound:
Filler/Winding
Centring Ring
Inner Ring

Metallic Ring Joints:

Material
Hardness

Dimensions:
Nominal Size 4 in
Full Face
Inside Bolts Yes
Ring No/Type (Oval or Oct)
Thickness 0.059 in

Additional Requirements:

Data Sheet No. 001 Date 7th July 1992 Rev

GS 142-7 PAGE 18
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 DATA SHEET (EXAMPLE)

Project: XYZ Enq/Order No. 124

Service: General Hydrocarbons Pressure Rating: Class 600
Flange Std. ANSI B16.5 Design Temp. -40 to +450°C
Gasket Std. ANSI B16.21 Gasket Type Flat Ring Jacketed
Material
Flat Joints:
Basic Material CAF (BS 1832)
Graphited
Jacket/Envelope Soft Carbon Steel

Spiral Wound:
Filler/Winding
Centring Ring
Inner Ring

Metallic Ring Joints:

Material
Hardness

Dimensions:
Nominal Size 6 in
Full Face
Inside Bolts Yes
Ring No/Type (Oval or Oct)
Thickness 0.125 in

Additional Requirements:

Data Sheet No. 002 Date 7th July 1992 Rev

GS 142-7 PAGE 19
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 DATA SHEET (EXAMPLE)

Project: XYZ Enq/Order No. 125

Service: General Hydrocarbons Pressure Rating: Class 600
Flange Std. MSS SP-44 Design Temp. -40 to +500°C
Gasket Std. API 601 Gasket Type Spiral Wound
Material
Flat Joints:
Basic Material N/A
Graphited N/A
Jacket/Envelope N/A

Spiral Wound:
Filler/Winding Flexible Graphite/Type 304 SS
Centring Ring Carbon Steel (Epoxy coated)
Inner Ring Type 304 SS

Metallic Ring Joints:

Material N/A
Hardness N/A

Dimensions:
Nominal Size 26 in
Full Face
Inside Bolts
Ring No/Type (Oval or Oct)
Thickness

Additional Requirements:

Data Sheet No. 003 Date 7th July 1992 Rev

GS 142-7 PAGE 20
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS
 DATA SHEET (EXAMPLE)

Project: XYZ Enq/Order No. 125

Service: General Hydrocarbons (Sour) Pressure Rating: Class 1500
Flange Std. ANSI B16.5 Design Temp.
Gasket Std. ANSI B16.20 Gasket Type Metal Ring
Material
Flat Joints:
Basic Material N/A
Graphited N/A
Jacket/Envelope N/A

Spiral Wound:
Filler/Winding N/A
Centring Ring N/A
Inner Ring N/A

Metallic Ring Joints:

Material Type 316
Hardness per ANSI B16.20

Dimensions:
Nominal Size 4 in
Full Face
Inside Bolts
Ring No/Type (Oval or Oct) R39/Oct.
Thickness

Additional Requirements:

Data Sheet No. 004 Date 7th July 1992 Rev

GS 142-7 PAGE 21
SUPPLY OF GASKETS AND JOINT RINGS
FOR BOLTED FLANGED JOINTS