000000000001000066-Spral Wound Gaskets

Bolt Preload Stress for ANSI Raised-Face
Flanges Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets

Sealing Technology & Plant Leakage Reduction
Series
SED
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Technical Report
Bolt Preload Stress for ANSI

Raised-Face Flanges Using
Spiral-Wound Gaskets
Sealing Technology & Plant Leakage Reduction
Series
000000000001000066
Final Report, May 2000
EPRI Project Manager

J. M. Jenco
EPRI 3412 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304 PO Box 10412, Palo Alto, California 94303 USA
800.313.3774 650.855.2121 askepri@epri.com www.epri.com
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Dominion Engineering, Inc.
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CITATIONS
This report was prepared by
Dominion Engineering, Inc.
6862 Elm St.
McLean, Virginia 22101
Principal Investigators
S. Hunt
D. Gross
V. Moroney
This report describes research sponsored by EPRI.
The report is a corporate document that should be cited in the literature in the following manner:
Bolt Preload Stress for ANSI Raised-Face Flanges Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets: Sealing
Technology & Plant Leakage Reduction Series. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 2000.
000000000001000066.
iii
REPORT SUMMARY
This report describes EPRIs efforts to establish recommended bolt preload stresses for ANSI
raised-face flanged joints using spiral-wound gaskets and A193 Grade B7 bolts that will ensure
tight joints without overstressing parts.
Background
The EPRI Sealing Technology Program has been developing guidelines and training materials to
help EPRI members develop programs to reduce leakage from bolted connections using
spiral-wound gaskets. A key factor in this work is to determine the bolt preload stresses for each
flange that are high enough to ensure a good seal but not so high that parts are damaged by
yielding the flange, yielding the bolts, or crushing the gasket. While general guidance for the bolt
preload stress has been provided by several sources over the years, this guidance has not always
been consistent and has not been supported by gasket test results and detailed stress analyses for
the full range of flange sizes and pressure classes.
Prior EPRI work in this area has established the minimum bolt preload stress necessary for
proper gasket compression. This report validates that work, as well as establishes the upper bolt
preload stress boundaries for ANSI raised-face flanged joints.
Objectives
To summarize the results of load-deflection and leakage testing for a representative
cross-section of spiral-wound gaskets
To present the results of finite element stress analyses for a full range of ANSI flanges
To review the bolt preload stress recommendations in EPRI report TR-111472, Assembling
Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets, in light of the gasket testing and finite
element stress analyses
Approach
Electricit de France (EdF) performed load-deflection and leakage tests on a broad matrix of
spiral-wound gaskets from a single manufacturer. The matrix included:
Diameters of 1, 4, 10, and 16 inches
Pressure classes of 150, 300, 900, and 2500 pounds
Filler materials of asbestos, mica-graphite, and flexible-graphite
Outer ring and inner/outer ring designs
Dominion Engineering, Inc. (DEI) performed elastic-plastic finite element analyses of the full
range of standard ANSI raised-face welding neck and socket welding flanges typically used in
v
commercial nuclear plants. These analyses were performed for several different bolt preload
stress conditions and several combinations of allowable operating pressure and temperature.
Finally, the testing and analysis work were evaluated to establish recommended bolt preload
stresses that should ensure tight joints without overstressing parts.
Results
The best performing gaskets from the standpoint of leak rate, stress-relaxation (creep), and
springback are gaskets with flexible-graphite filler and both inner and outer compression stop
rings. The inner metal windings of some flexible-graphite filled gaskets without inner rings
buckled, resulting in higher leak rates than if buckling was prevented by use of an inner ring. The
bolt preload stress required to fully compress gaskets is higher for low pressure class gaskets
than for high pressure class gaskets. A preload stress of 50-60 ksi will result in most gaskets
being fully compressed, without overstressing the component parts.
If one bolt preload stress is to be selected for all flange sizes and pressure classes, then 52.5 ksi,
as previously recommended in EPRI TR-111472, is a good compromise between gasket
compression and flange strength considerations. However, a 52.5 ksi bolt preload stress might
produce slightly greater yielding of flanges and bolts than is desirable for some flange sizes and
pressure classes. For this reason, it is recommended that the bolt preload stress be reduced to
40 ksi for flanges 1 inch NPS and less in pressure classes 150, 300, 1500, and 2500, and for
24 inch Class 300 flanges.
EPRI Perspective
EPRI believes that information contained in this report clearly summarizes, perhaps for the first
time, the body of knowledge necessary to enable interested parties to develop effective bolt
torque specifications for tensioning conventional piping flanges that employ spiral-wound
gaskets. Industry experience with continuing flanged joint leakage has demonstrated that even
strict adherence to vendor-supplied recommendations, combined with proper work practices and
quality assurance oversight, has not been sufficient to overcome leakage occurrences in many
situations without resorting to additional remedial maintenance actions. This information,
resulting from a blend of controlled product testing results and computerized finite element
analysis modeling, should enable end-users to accurately develop effective bolt torque
specifications for a wide range of ANSI raised-face flanges. When employed in conjunction with
prior EPRI work published in TR-111472, Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound
Gaskets, end-users should be able to develop effective procedures, training programs, and
engineering and maintenance work practices that will significantly improve their ability to
reliably seal flanged piping connections for the duration of intended operations.
000000000001000066
Keywords
Gaskets
Spiral-wound gaskets
Flange
Leakage
Bolt preload
vi
EPRI Licensed Material
ABSTRACT
This report describes EPRIs efforts to establish recommended bolt preload stresses for ANSI
raised-face flanged joints using spiral-wound gaskets and A193 Grade B7 bolts, which will
ensure tight joints without overstressing parts.
Under a research exchange agreement, Electricit de France (EdF) performed load-deflection and
leak rate tests on a large matrix of gaskets including several sizes, several pressure classes,
several filler materials, and gaskets with outer and inner/outer compression stop rings. The tests
focused on gaskets from a single manufacturer. These tests showed that flexible-graphite filler is
generally the best from the standpoint of leak-tightness and springback. However, some sizes
and pressure classes of gaskets with flexible-graphite filler are prone to buckling of the inner
edge of the gasket such that inner rings should be specified. The tests showed that a 30 ksi
preload stress will ensure a tight joint for high pressure class gaskets (Classes 900 and 2500) but
that higher preload stresses of 50-60 ksi are required to ensure a tight joint for low pressure class
gaskets (Classes 150 and 300).
Under contract to EPRI, Dominion Engineering, Inc. (DEI) performed elastic-plastic finite
element stress analyses of all sizes and pressure classes of ANSI B16.5 welding neck flanges up
to 24 inches NPS. Analyses were also performed for socket welding flanges up to 2 inches NPS.
Analyses were performed at bolt preload stress levels of 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 ksi, followed by
operating pressures and temperatures permitted by ANSI B16.5 for these flanges. The analyses
evaluated bolt membrane stress, bolt maximum stress (membrane plus bending), flange plastic
strain, flange rotation, and gasket outer compression stop ring plastic strain.
Results of the gasket tests and flange stress analyses were combined to develop recommended
bolt preload stresses that should ensure tight joints without overstressing the parts. The main
conclusion was that a single bolt preload stress of 52.5 ksi is a good compromise between gasket
seating and flange strength considerations for all sizes and pressure classes, provided the gaskets
have both inner and outer rings. However, a 52.5 ksi bolt preload stress might produce slightly
greater yielding of flanges and bolts than is desirable for some flange sizes and pressure classes.
For this reason, it is recommended that the bolt preload stress be reduced to 40 ksi for flanges
1 inch NPS and less in pressure classes 150, 300, 1500, and 2500, and for 24 inch Class
300 flanges.
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EPRI would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the following supporting utilities of
EPRIs Sealing Technology Program for their ongoing commitment to the development of this
and other documents in the EPRI Plant Leakage Reduction Series:
AmerenUE
Duke Energy
Electricit de France
Energy Northwest
Florida Power Corp
New York Power Authority
North Atlantic Energy Services Co.
Ontario Power Generation
Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.
South Carolina Electric & Gas
Southern California Edison
Southern Nuclear
Tennessee Valley Authority
Unicom
Through their continuing support, the above-mentioned utilities enable EPRI to succeed in its
efforts to provide members with practical solutions to a range of ongoing issues that pertain to
improved fluid leak management for plant process piping systems.
ix
CONTENTS
1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1
Bolt Preload Stress.................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2
Factors Affecting Optimum Bolt Preload Stress ......................................................... 1-2
1.3
Recent EPRI Bolt Preload Stress Recommendations ................................................ 1-3
1.4
Purpose of Current Reassessment............................................................................ 1-3
2 MINIMUM REQUIRED PRELOAD STRESS BASED ON ELECTRICIT DE FRANCE

(EDF) GASKET TESTING ...................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1
Background ............................................................................................................... 2-1
2.2
Purpose of EdF Gasket Tests.................................................................................... 2-2
2.3
EdF Test Reports ...................................................................................................... 2-2
2.4
Matrix of Gaskets Tested........................................................................................... 2-2
2.5
Test Equipment and Procedure ................................................................................. 2-4
2.6
Major Test Results .................................................................................................... 2-6
2.6.1 Tabular Data Summary......................................................................................... 2-6

2.6.2 Leak Rate, Stress-Relaxation Rate, and Springback Behavior of Filler
Materials ...................................................................................................................... 2-15
2.6.3 Benefit of Inner Rings on Gaskets....................................................................... 2-18
2.6.4 Required Bolt Preload Stress.............................................................................. 2-20
2.6.5 Minimum Required Bolt Preload Stress for Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets ...... 2-21
3 MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED PRELOAD STRESS BASED ON STRESS ANALYSIS ....... 3-1
3.1
Purpose of Finite Element Stress Analyses ............................................................... 3-1
3.2
Matrix of Flange Designs, Sizes, and Pressure Classes Analyzed ............................ 3-1
3.3
Parametric Finite Element Analysis Model................................................................. 3-3
3.4
Structural Model and Material Properties................................................................... 3-9
3.5
Gasket Model and Material Properties..................................................................... 3-11
3.6
Acceptance Criteria ................................................................................................. 3-12
3.6.1 Bolt Membrane Stress ........................................................................................ 3-13
xi
3.6.2 Bolt Membrane Plus Bending Stress................................................................... 3-13

3.6.3 Flange Plastic Strain ........................................................................................... 3-13
3.6.4 Gasket Outer Ring Plastic Strain......................................................................... 3-14
3.6.5 Flange Rotation Measured Across Gasket Face ................................................. 3-14
3.7
Summary of Results ................................................................................................ 3-14
4 RECOMMENDED GASKETS AND BOLT PRELOAD STRESSES ..................................... 4-1

4.1
Recommended Gasket Filler Material........................................................................ 4-1
4.2
Recommended Gasket Style ..................................................................................... 4-1
4.3
Recommended Bolt Preload Stress........................................................................... 4-3
4.3.1 Single Preload Stress Level for All Flange Sizes and Pressure Classes ............... 4-3
4.3.2 Preload Optimized for Each Flange Size and Pressure Class............................... 4-5
4.4
Comments............................................................................................................... 4-13
5 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................... 5-1
A EDF PAPER: VARIABILITY IN COMPRESSION AND LEAK-TIGHTNESS
CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRAL-WOUND GASKETS [4] ....................................................A-1
B EDF REPORT: SPIRAL-WOUND GASKET STUDY SYNTHESIS OF LEAKTIGHTNESS TESTS [5] ..........................................................................................................B-1
xii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Bolt Preload ........................................................................................................... 1-2
Figure 1-2 Bolt Preload Stress Criteria .................................................................................... 1-3
Figure 2-1 EdF Test Fixture .................................................................................................... 2-4
Figure 2-2 Platens for Leak Testing ........................................................................................ 2-5
Figure 2-3 Leak Rates for 4s Class 900 Gaskets................................................................... 2-16
Figure 2-4 Stress-Relaxation (Creep) of 10s Class 300 Gaskets........................................... 2-17
Figure 2-5 Inward Buckling of the Inner Edge of a Spiral-Wound Gasket .............................. 2-18
Figure 2-6 Helium Leak Rates for 10s Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets ................................ 2-19
Figure 2-7 Fraction of Flexible-Graphite Gaskets Reaching 90% and 100% Full
Compression vs. Preload Stress.................................................................................... 2-21
Figure 3-1 Typical Finite Element Model With Welding Neck Geometry .................................. 3-7
Figure 3-2 Typical Finite Element Model With Socket Weld Geometry .................................... 3-8
Figure 3-3 Bilinear Isotropic Hardening Model for Low Carbon Steel Materials ..................... 3-10
Figure 3-4 Finite Element Models of Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets................................... 3-11
Figure 4-1 Combined Results of Gasket Testing and Finite Element Analysis......................... 4-4
Figure 4-2 Recommended Preload Stress for Class 150 Flanges ........................................... 4-6
Figure 4-6 Recommended Preload Stress for Class 900 Flanges ......................................... 4-10
Figure 4-7 Recommended Preload Stress for Class 1500 Flanges ....................................... 4-11
Figure 4-8 Recommended Preload Stress for Class 2500 Flanges ....................................... 4-12
Figure A-1 The 320 mm Mould Used for the 1s and 4s Gaskets Leak Tightness Tests ........... A-7
Figure A-2 The 5,000 kN Press Used for the Tests (Here, With the 10s and 16s Anvils) ......... A-8
Figure A-3 Class 150 Pounds Gaskets - Scattering of the Compression Characteristics......... A-9
Figure A-4 Example of Differences Between So-Called Identical Gaskets .......................... A-10
Figure A-5 Gasket Stress Relaxation During the Mechanical and Leak Tightness Tests ....... A-11
Figure A-6 Gasket Bending, Like a Belleville Washer............................................................ A-11
Figure A-7 The Leak Tightness Is Better With the Gaskets Filled With Flexible Graphite ...... A-12
Figure A-8 The Leak Tightness Can No More Be Improved if Buckling Occurs ..................... A-12
Figure A-9 The Higher the Class of the Gasket, the Better Its Leak Tightness Is .................. A-12
xiii
Figure A-10 The Curves of the Leak Rate Versus the Gasket Stress Are Less Scattered
Than the Same Curves Versus the Bolt Stress (Compare With the Previous Figure).....A-13
Figure A-11 Scattering of the Leak Tightness Characteristics ...............................................A-13
Figure A-12 Typical Gasket Recovery Characteristics. The Recover toonot Only the
Leak TightnessIs Better With the Gaskets Filled With Flexible Graphite.....................A-14
xiv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1 Matrix of Gaskets Tested by EdF............................................................................. 2-3
Table 2-2 Summary of Gasket Test Results ............................................................................ 2-6
Table 2-3.a Test Results for 1 Class 150 Gaskets ................................................................. 2-8
Table 2-3.b Test Results for 1 Class 300 Gaskets ................................................................. 2-9
Table 2-3.c Test Results for 1 Class 900 Gaskets ................................................................. 2-9
Table 2-3.d Test Results for 1 Class 2500 Gaskets ............................................................. 2-10
Table 2-3.e Test Results for 4 Class 150 Gaskets ............................................................... 2-10
Table 2-3.f Test Results for 4 Class 300 Gaskets ................................................................ 2-11
Table 2-3.g Test Results for 4 Class 900 Gaskets ............................................................... 2-11
Table 2-3.h Test Results for 4 Class 2500 Gaskets ............................................................. 2-12
Table 2-3.i Test Results for 10 Class 150 Gaskets .............................................................. 2-12
Table 2-3.j Test Results for 10 Class 300 Gaskets .............................................................. 2-13
Table 2-3.k Test Results for 10 Class 900 Gaskets ............................................................. 2-13
Table 2-3.l Test Results for 16 Class 150 Gaskets .............................................................. 2-14
Table 2-3.m Test Results for 16 Class 300 Gaskets ............................................................ 2-15
Table 3-1 Matrix of Flanges and Pipe Sizes Analyzed............................................................. 3-2
Table 3-2 Input Geometry Matrix ............................................................................................. 3-4
Table 3-3 ANSI B16.5 Allowable Working Pressures as a Function of Temperature ............... 3-8
Table 3-4 Summary Table of FEA Results (Allowable Room Temperature Bolt Preload
Stresses (ksi) That Will Result in Reaching the Specified Allowables at Some
Operating Conditions).................................................................................................... 3-16
Table 4-1 Summary of Recommended Preload Stresses ...................................................... 4-13
xv
Blank page
1
BACKGROUND
This section covers the reasons for performing the subject work and how the results will be used.
1.1
Bolt Preload Stress
Bolt preload is the tensile force in bolts after they have been tensioned by torquing, hydraulic
tensioners, electric heaters, or other suitable methods, but before applying pressure, temperature,
external forces, or bending moments. Bolt preload is illustrated in Figure 1-1.
Bolt preload is generally discussed in terms of preload stress rather than preload force. The
preload stress is the preload force in the bolts divided by the bolt cross-section area at the
threads.
p =
Fp
Astress
where:
p
=
Fp
=
Astress =
bolt preload stress (psi)

bolt preload force (pounds)
bolt stress area (in2)
Bolt stress is reported in either pounds per square inch (psi) or thousands of pounds per square
inch (ksi). For example, 30,000 psi = 30 ksi. For convenience, the abbreviated ksi units will be
used most frequently in this report.
1-1

Background
At Preload Condition
- Gasket is Compressed
- Tension in Bolt is Reacted by
Compressive Load on Flange
Figure 1-1
Bolt Preload
1.2
Factors Affecting Optimum Bolt Preload Stress
As described in Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets (EPRI

TR-111472) [1], the bolt preload stress should be high enough to fully compress spiral-wound
gaskets to the outer compression stop ring, but not so high that the bolts yield, the flanges yield,
or the gasket is crushed. These upper and lower limits are illustrated in Figure 1-2.
When a joint leaks, the first reaction is, generally, to increase the preload force. Thus, it should
be an objective to tighten the bolts initially to near the upper end of the desired preload range.
This will minimize the potential for joint leakage and the need to subsequently retighten the
joint.
1-2

Background
Pre lo a d T o o H ig h
- Bo lt Yie ld in g
- F lan g e Yield in g
- Ga s ke t Cru s h in g
- Exce s s iv e Ro ta tio n
- S tres s Co rro s io n
Increasing Bolt Preload Stress
M ax P relo ad
T arg e t P relo a d
(n e a r u p p e r b o u n d
to p ro v id e ma rg in
ag a in s t le aks )
D es ire d Bo lt P re lo ad Ra n g e
M in P re lo ad
P re lo a d T o o Lo w
- Gas ke t n o t M e ta l-to -M e ta l
- P o te n tial fo r Cre ep
Figure 1-2
Bolt Preload Stress Criteria
1.3
Recent EPRI Bolt Preload Stress Recommendations
Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets (EPRI TR-111472) [1],

recommends a bolt preload stress of 52.5 ksi for pipe joints with ANSI B16.5 steel flanges [2],
A193 Grade B7 bolts, and spiral-wound gaskets with both inner and outer rings. Inner rings are
recommended on the gaskets to prevent inward buckling of the windings, to ensure that gaskets
are not crushed due to poor centering, which can occur with four bolt flanges, and to prevent
crushing of gaskets in the case of higher pressure classes.
These recommendations were based on long-standing industry guidance, load-deflection testing
of a few gaskets, and finite element stress analyses of several flange sizes under room
temperature conditions. EPRI Report TR-111472 describes the basis for these recommendations.
1.4
Purpose of Current Reassessment
The purpose of the current work is to validate the recommendations in EPRI TR-111472 by loaddeflection and leak testing of a larger sample of gasket sizes and pressure classes and by elasticplastic finite element analyses of ANSI B16.5 flanges typically used in nuclear plants under
room temperature and design operating conditions.
1-3

Background
Results of the gasket load-deflection and leak testing will be used to determine the minimum
required bolt preload. Results of the stress analyses will be used to determine the maximum
recommended bolt preload.
Upon completion of the testing and analysis, the bolt preload recommendations in EPRI Report
TR-111472 will be reassessed.
Finally, complete test and analysis results will be provided in tabular form so that utilities can
assess the potential for using higher than the proposed target bolt preload stresses for critical or
problem joints.
1-4
2
MINIMUM REQUIRED PRELOAD STRESS BASED ON
ELECTRICIT DE FRANCE (EDF) GASKET TESTING
This section covers the testing of spiral-wound gaskets performed by EdF and how the results of
these tests are used to establish minimum required bolt preload stresses.
2.1
Background
Work performed by EPRI and described in Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound
Gaskets (EPRI TR-111472) [1] showed the importance of fully compressing spiral-wound
gaskets to the point where the flanges contact the outer metal compression stop ring. Metal-tometal contact at this point renders the joint less susceptible to loss of bolt load due to gasket
stress-relaxation (creep). This document also reports on load-deflection tests of fifteen 2 inch
gaskets of different materials, different pressure classes, and different manufacturers, and a large
number of 4 inch Class 150 gaskets. Many of the gaskets included in these tests did not meet the
load-deflection requirements of ANSI B16.20, Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges Ring-Joint,
Spiral-Wound, and Jacketed [3].
ANSI B16.20 specifies that:
Spiral-wound gaskets NPS 1/2, NPS 3/4 and NPS 1 in classes 150, 300, and 600 shall be
designed so that a uniform bolt stress of 25 ksi, based on nominal bolt root diameter, will
compress the gasket to a thickness of 0.130 0.005 inches.
All other spiral-wound gasket sizes and classes shall be designed so that a uniform bolt stress
of 30 ksi will compress the gasket to a thickness of 0.130 0.005 inches.
Based on these requirements, the compressed gasket height should be 0.1250.135 inches. The
nominal gasket free height is specified as 0.175 inches and the outer ring thickness is specified as
0.1170.131 inches. Using a nominal outer ring thickness of 0.124 inches, the 0.1250.135 inch
compressed height represents 78-98% of full gasket compression.
2-1

Minimum Required Preload Stress Based on Electricit de France (EdF) Gasket Testing
2.2
Purpose of EdF Gasket Tests
The purpose of the current EdF testing was to obtain load-deflection and leak rate data for a wide
range of gasket parameters including size, pressure class, design and filler material and to then
use the test results to answer the following questions,
Which of the gasket filler materials (asbestos, mica-graphite, flexible-graphite) provides the
lowest leak rate, lowest stress-relaxation (creep), and greatest springback?
What bolt preload stress is required to achieve full gasket compression and low leak rates?
Does adding inner rings to spiral-wound gaskets significantly improve their performance?
2.3
EdF Test Reports
The EdF test program, test results, and discussion of the test results are provided in two main
documents. Appendix A is a summary of the test work that was presented by EdF at the 1999
International Conference on Sealing Technology and Plant Leakage Reduction [4]. Appendix B
is a more complete EdF report on the leak rate testing [5]. Readers are encouraged to review
these two documents because they provide complete results and valuable insights into important
gasket performance issues.
The following summarizes the testing and test results as they relate to the three questions noted
under the test purpose.
2.4
Matrix of Gaskets Tested
EdF tested a matrix of gaskets selected to cover a wide range of sizes and pressure classes. The
sizes and pressure classes tested are indicated in Table 2-1. It was not possible to test 16 inch
Class 900 gaskets and 10 inch Class 2500 gaskets due to the limited load capacity of the test
equipment.
For each size and pressure class, gaskets were tested with asbestos, mica-graphite, and flexiblegraphite fillers, and with outer ring and inner and outer ring configurations.
2-2

Table 2-1
Matrix of Gaskets Tested by EdF
Pipe Size
(NPS)
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
150
300
400
Flange Pressure Class

600
900
1500
2500
= Gasket sizes and pressure classes tested by EdF.

= Gaskets not supplied in these sizes and pressure classes.
= Gasket sizes and pressure classes not tested due to limited test equipment force capability.
2-3

2.5
Test Equipment and Procedure
Gasket load-deflection and leak rate testing were performed using the test fixture shown in
Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1
EdF Test Fixture [5]
This fixture is capable of applying compressive loads up to 5,000 KN (1,124,000 pounds). The
platens installed in the fixture were machined to the raised-face flange radii and surface finish
specified in ANSI B16.5 [2]. For cases involving leak testing, the platens were configured as
shown in Figure 2-2.
2-4

Figure 2-2
Platens for Leak Testing [5]
The volume inside the gasket ID was pressurized with helium to 10.3 bars (150 psi) and the
1
volume outside of the gasket was drawn down to a vacuum condition.
The first series of tests was performed to determine the load-deflection characteristics. Gaskets
were installed in the test fixture, the load was increased to an equivalent of 10 ksi stress in the
flange bolts and the platen separation was held constant for 10 minutes to measure gasket stressrelaxation (creep). The platen load was then sequentially increased in steps equivalent to 10 ksi
flange bolt stress, with the platen separation held for 10 minutes at each step, until the gasket
reached full compression. After 10 minutes at full compression, the force was relaxed to zero and
the amount of gasket springback recorded.
EdF test results have been corrected for the effect of axial loads produced by the pressure of hydrogen inside the
gasket and the vacuum outside the gasket. The results have also been corrected for deflections in the platens because
deflections must be measured at the platen OD rather than at the actual gasket location.
2-5

For the leakage tests, the loading was similar although the hold time was increased to one hour at
each step to allow the leak rate to stabilize and be measured. The amount of springback was not
measured during the leakage tests.
More complete details of the test equipment and procedure are included in the EdF reports in
Appendices A and B.
2.6
Major Test Results
The following is a discussion of the major test results as they apply to the three issues identified
under the test purpose.
2.6.1 Tabular Data Summary
The EdF test results in Appendices A and B are presented in graphical format. The raw data used
to create these graphs have been processed to create a series of summary tables of key test
results. Table 2-2 is an overall summary of the key results.
Table 2-2
Summary of Gasket Test Results
Gaskets
Inner & Outer Rings
Gaskets
Outer Ring Only
Type Parameter
Avg. Bolt Stress to 100% Compression (ksi)
- Class 150 Gaskets
- Class 300 Gaskets
- Class 900 Gaskets
- Class 2500 Gaskets
Median Leak Rate (gm/sec/mm OD)
- 40 ksi Bolt Stress
Average Springback (inches)
Avg. Bolt Stress to 100% Compression (ksi)
- Class 150 Gaskets
- Class 300 Gaskets
- Class 900 Gaskets
- Class 2500 Gaskets
Median Leak Rate (gm/sec/mm OD)
Average Springback (inches)
2-6
Asbestos
Mica-Graphite
Flexible-Graphite
57.8
34.7
32.4
31.3
46.0
45.4
35.2
36.6
47.4
41.0
35.1
30.6
6.83E-10
1.12E-10
4.11E-11
0.0050
4.59E-11
1.51E-11
8.37E-12
0.0053
4.87E-12
1.65E-12
3.35E-11
0.0064
69.9
50.9
-----
57.8
50.3
43.7
39.6
72.4
58.0
48.3
45.7
6.11E-09
2.24E-09
2.15E-09
0.0056
3.54E-10
5.67E-10
5.15E-10
0.0054
9.22E-12
7.56E-12
2.46E-11
0.0075

In addition to the summary, Table 2-3 outlines each gasket size and pressure class tested. The
data provided in Table 2-3 include:
The test code number
The gasket filler material
Whether there is an inner ring
The bolt preload stresses required to achieve 90% and 100% of full gasket compression
The seal leak rates2 at bolt preload stresses of 40, 50, and 60 ksi
The amount of springback from the maximum bolt preload that was applied during the test.
This is the minimum data necessary to evaluate the three issues identified under the test purpose.
The following is a breakdown of Table 2-3:
Table 2-3.a
Table 2-3.b
Table 2-3.c
Table 2-3.d
Table 2-3.e
Table 2-3.f
Table 2-3.g
Table 2-3.h
Table 2-3.i
Table 2-3.j
Table 2-3.k
Table 2-3.l
Table 2-3.m
1 inch
1 inch
1 inch
1 inch
4 inch
4 inch
4 inch
4 inch
10 inch
10 inch
10 inch
16 inch
16 inch
Class 150
Class 300
Class 900/1500
Class 2500
Class 150
Class 300
Class 900
Class 2500
Class 150
Class 300
Class 900
Class 150
Class 300
The leak rate has been reported in grams of helium per second per mm of gasket outside diameter.
2-7

Table 2-3.a
Test Results for 1 Class 150 Gaskets
EdF Test
Code
Bolt Stress (ksi) to Achieve
Leak Rate (gm/sec/mm OD) at
Filler
Material
Inner
Ring
EAAAFF1
EAAAFF2
EAASFF1
EAASFF2
EAASFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
no
35.8
36.7
38.9
43.1
60.5
43.7
47.2
45.9
54.0
71.2
-2.94E-10
-2.52E-10
--
-7.96E-11
-1.16E-10
--
-2.59E-11
-6.37E-11
--
0.0068
-0.0080
-0.0066
EAAALF1
EAAALF2
EAAALF3
EAASLF1
EAASLF2
EAASLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
29.2
26.2
100.6
16.3
15.6
56.2
35.5
29.4
-19.6
18.3
64.1
-3.93E-07
--1.54E-06
--
-3.16E-07
--1.20E-06
--
-2.49E-07
-----
0.0050
-0.0052
0.0044
-0.0049
EAAAAF1
EAAAAF2
EAAAAF3
EAASAF1
EAASAF2
EAASAF3
EAASAF6
EAASAF7
EAASAF8
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
38.9
103.9
88.5
39.6
44.3
57.2
85.2
66.5
64.5
59.2
-116.6
52.6
53.3
72.7
87.5
75.0
89.1
--1.68E-07
--1.97E-08
-8.28E-08
9.77E-08
--5.53E-08
--7.26E-10
-1.20E-08
2.64E-08
--1.44E-08
--3.81E-11
-1.58E-09
7.80E-09
0.0046
0.0047
-0.0044
0.0056
-0.0047
---
90% Full
100% Full
40 ksi Bolt 50 ksi Bolt 60 ksi Bolt
Compression Compression
Stress
Stress
Stress
* Springback From Maximum Applied Bolt Load
2-8
Springback*
(in)

Table 2-3.b
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material
Inner
Ring
EABAFF1
EABAFF2
EABSFF1
EABSFF2
EABSFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
no
42.9
35.1
34.9
29.1
52.5
85.5
42.3
38.2
37.0
69.2
-7.71E-11
-1.71E-11
-4.20E-12
-7.23E-12
--
-1.65E-12
--
-3.90E-13
--
0.0061
-0.0060
-0.0063
EABALF1
EABALF2
EABALF3
EABSLF1
EABSLF2
EABSLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
22.9
21.7
45.4
29.7
29.3
68.4
25.5
26.1
60.0
35.2
34.9
90.0
-2.08E-08
--5.61E-10
--
-5.78E-09
--2.96E-10
--
-1.51E-09
--1.58E-10
--
0.0038
-0.0044
0.0041
-0.0053
EABAAF1
EABAAF2
EABAAF3
EABSAF1
EABSAF2
EABSAF3
EABSAF4
EABSAF5
EABSAF6
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
78.9
82.1
82.9
29.2
28.0
37.8
94.0
101.2
98.9
36.4
33.7
44.8
--9.05E-10
-2.22E-08
3.00E-08
--1.99E-10
-1.38E-08
3.49E-09
--2.52E-11
-7.98E-09
9.22E-10
25.5
24.0
30.0
32.4
27.2
38.7
--6.90E-10
--2.52E-10
--4.11E-11
0.0019
0.0037
-0.0033
--0.0039
0.0038
--
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
Springback*
(in)
Table 2-3.c
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material
Inner
Ring
EAEAFF1
EAEAFF2
EAESFF1
EAESFF2
EAESFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
no
28.1
26.9
23.2
26.7
24.6
35.1
35.2
27.3
31.0
28.5
-2.04E-14
-1.99E-14
--
-1.78E-14
-1.89E-14
--
------
0.0061
-0.0055
-0.0052
EAEALF1
EAEALF2
EAEALF3
EAESLF1
EAESLF2
EAESLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
27.4
24.0
37.1
18.0
22.6
29.3
33.1
29.1
48.2
23.0
25.7
37.4
-3.69E-12
--8.55E-12
--
-1.35E-12
--2.62E-12
--
-------
0.0049
-0.0045
0.0042
-0.0041
EAESAF1
EAESAF2
EAESAF3
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
no
no
no
21.0
21.9
22.1
27.0
30.5
28.1
--6.16E-12
----
----
0.0032
0.0042
--
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
Springback*
(in)
2-9

Table 2-3.d
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Inner Bolt Stress (ksi) to Achieve
Springback*
Ring
(in)
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EAGAFF1
EAGAFF2
EAGAFF3
EAGSFF1
EAGSFF2
EAGSFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
34.6
33.8
37.3
24.2
26.4
15.6
59.8
39.8
59.6
38.6
36.5
19.4
-7.36E-14
--1.60E-14
--
-------
-------
0.0061
-0.0062
0.0053
-0.0044
EAGALF1
EAGALF2
EAGALF3
EAGSLF1
EAGSLF2
EAGSLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
37.8
29.1
37.4
22.1
21.5
25.1
58.8
41.0
50.0
37.0
28.5
28.8
-3.43E-12
--1.12E-11
--
-7.19E-13
--8.23E-12
--
-3.74E-13
----
0.0048
-0.0045
0.0040
-0.0043
no
no
no
16.6
25.2
28.1
24.7
36.0
36.4
--1.29E-12
--2.13E-13
----
0.0028
0.0032
--
EAGSAF1 asbestos
EAGSAF2 asbestos
EAGSAF3 asbestos
Table 2-3.e
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
Ring
(in)
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
ECAAFF1
ECAAFF2
ECASFF1
ECASFF2
ECASFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
no
43.5
52.9
28.4
33.3
39.6
65.4
79.1
42.9
41.5
47.6
-3.80E-09
-1.09E-09
--
-1.80E-09
-9.41E-10
--
-4.56E-10
-5.92E-10
--
0.0062
-0.0058
-0.0065
ECAALF1
ECAALF2
ECAALF3
ECASLF1
ECASLF2
ECASLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
38.4
35.2
82.6
29.0
31.3
45.2
49.5
58.2
107.6
46.8
47.1
52.1
-2.30E-07
-1.83E-07
-1.81E-07
--7.09E-08
--
--6.63E-08
--
--5.90E-08
--
0.0044
-0.0058
ECAAAF1
ECAAAF2
ECAAAF3
ECASAF1
ECASAF2
ECASAF3
ECASAF4
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
68.7
64.4
85.0
43.1
43.4
33.1
52.9
94.4
66.3
-57.4
54.8
49.6
52.3
------2.48E-08
------6.36E-10
------2.35E-10
2-10
0.0046
-0.0054
0.0056
0.0058
0.0063
0.0062
0.0050
0.0050
--

Table 2-3.f
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
ECBAFF1
ECBAFF2
ECBSFF1
ECBSFF2
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
33.8
34.8
19.3
27.2
49.6
48.7
32.0
33.4
-4.47E-10
-3.99E-10
-2.65E-10
-3.29E-10
-2.19E-10
-9.43E-11
0.0060
-0.0056
--
ECBALF1
ECBALF2
ECBSLF1
ECBSLF2
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
20.8
17.8
19.6
19.4
29.9
26.4
29.2
30.1
-1.86E-07
-9.65E-13
-1.49E-09
-4.13E-14
-1.58E-13
-3.45E-14
0.0041
-0.0044
--
ECBAAF1
ECBSAF1
ECBSAF2
ECBSAF3
ECBSAF6
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
no
no
no
no
37.0
25.9
27.1
22.6
33.4
47.4
36.0
35.2
25.2
44.4
2.62E-08
---1.17E-10
4.67E-09
---5.63E-11
2.36E-09
---3.20E-11
-0.0053
0.0051
0.0051
--
Table 2-3.g
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
ECEAFF1
ECEAFF2
ECEAFF3
ECESFF1
ECESFF2
ECESFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
47.3
40.7
32.0
32.3
32.9
25.9
73.1
52.7
44.7
44.9
43.7
33.9
-5.57E-12
3.40E-12
-5.63E-13
2.50E-12
-1.01E-12
1.16E-12
-8.54E-15
3.61E-14
-2.04E-13
3.08E-13
-8.23E-15
3.59E-14
0.0077
--0.0066
---
ECEALF1
ECEALF2
ECEALF3
ECESLF1
ECESLF2
ECESAF1
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
30.7
27.2
17.8
37.5
37.8
40.3
57.3
38.4
30.0
51.6
52.6
55.3
-1.19E-10
3.54E-10
-4.59E-11
4.52E-08
-5.80E-11
1.78E-10
-1.51E-11
5.30E-09
-4.34E-11
9.95E-11
-8.37E-12
3.17E-10
0.0051
--0.0048
---
2-11

Table 2-3.h
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
ECGAFF1
ECGAFF2
ECGAFF3
ECGSFF1
ECGSFF2
ECGSFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
27.6
26.3
26.7
21.5
26.9
19.3
39.8
38.6
36.7
29.2
34.1
25.6
-3.37E-14
1.82E-14
-3.59E-14
7.41E-15
-1.79E-14
9.76E-15
--6.83E-15
-------
0.0084
--0.0073
---
ECGALF1
ECGALF2
ECGALF3
ECGSLF1
ECGSLF2
ECGSLF3
ECGSAF1
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
16.9
17.5
22.8
25.4
33.5
35.0
20.4
27.8
27.3
32.8
35.4
44.0
45.6
28.1
-4.20E-12
3.08E-12
-1.79E-13
4.85E-13
--
-2.39E-12
5.14E-13
-2.99E-14
1.38E-13
--
--1.82E-13
-----
0.0057
--0.0053
----
Table 2-3.i
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EEAAFF1
EEAAFF2
EEAAFF3
EEASFF1
EEASFF2
EEASFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
37.4
34.6
85.2
19.8
17.8
46.1
57.7
48.2
100.1
27.7
26.5
57.0
-1.89E-10
--5.06E-09
--
-1.26E-10
--4.64E-09
--
-1.04E-10
-----
0.0075
-0.0074
0.0049
-0.0060
EEAALF1
EEAALF2
EEAALF3
EEASLF1
EEASLF2
EEASLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
25.5
22.2
73.9
24.1
17.5
54.0
39.7
33.7
108.9
35.1
21.7
70.1
-1.01E-07
--7.38E-08
--
-7.80E-08
--6.19E-08
--
-5.62E-08
-----
0.0048
-0.0046
0.0043
-0.0052
EEAAAF1
EEAAAF2
EEAAAF3
EEAAAF4
EEASAF1
EEASAF2
EEASAF3
EEASAF4
EEASAF5
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
30.0
35.6
35.2
33.8
42.8
28.3
28.0
26.8
28.3
42.6
60.1
46.7
43.0
80.3
38.2
38.0
34.8
35.9
--1.08E-08
9.82E-09
---7.52E-10
6.75E-10
--2.24E-09
2.89E-09
---4.79E-11
1.12E-10
--8.77E-10
2.29E-09
---3.86E-14
6.12E-11
0.0053
0.0059
--0.0051
0.0048
0.0048
---
2-12

Table 2-3.j
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
Ring
(in)
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EEBAFF1
EEBAFF2
EEBSFF1
EEBSFF2
EEBSFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
no
50.4
37.2
23.9
15.5
34.2
62.4
55.3
36.8
22.8
43.9
-2.33E-11
-2.25E-09
--
-1.19E-11
----
-7.64E-12
----
0.0078
-0.0062
-0.0063
EEBALF1
EEBALF2
EEBALF3
EEBSLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
39.0
31.1
83.8
52.4
58.0
46.9
115.7
--
-3.62E-09
---
-9.55E-10
---
-5.15E-10
---
0.0055
-0.0065
0.0055
EEBAAF1
EEBAAF2
EEBAAF3
EEBAAF4
EEBSAF1
EEBSAF2
EEBSAF3
EEBSAF4
EEBSAF5
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
18.9
19.6
19.3
19.8
33.3
18.1
19.0
18.4
18.4
29.5
26.9
26.7
30.0
43.8
25.2
30.1
27.7
27.8
--2.34E-09
2.39E-09
---6.92E-11
1.18E-10
--1.39E-13
7.71E-10
---2.28E-11
1.04E-13
--2.48E-14
----1.12E-11
1.10E-14
0.0059
0.0061
--0.0057
0.0048
0.0050
---
Table 2-3.k
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EEEAFF1
EEEAFF2
EEESFF1
EEESFF2
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
no
no
46.7
34.9
15.0
16.9
-48.7
36.1
--
-3.95E-13
---
-9.35E-14
---
-----
0.0096
-0.0077
--
EEEALF1
EEEALF2
EEEALF3
EEESLF1
EEESLF2
EEESLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
44.1
38.0
39.8
13.3
11.2
53.9
54.4
48.3
54.5
-21.1
--
-4.14E-12
--3.87E-09
--
----2.87E-09
--
-----
0.0081
-0.0068
0.0060
-0.0077
--
2-13

Table 2-3.l
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
(in)
Ring
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EFAAFF1
EFAAFF2
EFAAFF3
EFASFF1
EFASFF2
EFASFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
108.9
90.8
-54.0
49.6
53.0
----60.0
--
-6.73E-11
--7.32E-11
--
-4.19E-11
--5.09E-11
--
-2.46E-11
--3.35E-11
--
EFAALF1
EFAALF2
EFAALF3
EFASLF1
EFASLF2
EFASLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
37.4
48.6
54.7
79.5
57.5
39.6
58.0
---78.8
52.4
-1.34E-08
--6.62E-10
--
-6.96E-09
--2.40E-11
--
-4.86E-09
--2.09E-12
--
EFAAAF1
EFAAAF2
EFAAAF3
EFASAF1
EFASAF2
EFASAF3
EFASAF4
EFASAF5
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
38.3
38.3
34.6
56.3
44.0
41.9
39.3
37.0
51.9
-55.8
-59.5
-55.9
53.2
--1.03E-08
---7.81E-11
5.03E-11
--4.13E-09
---1.31E-11
2.28E-11
--2.15E-09
---1.02E-11
1.91E-11
2-14
0.0090
-0.0088
0.0080
-0.0083
0.0074
-0.0072
0.0065
-0.0076
0.0072
0.0075
-0.0066
0.0071
0.0071
---

Table 2-3.m
EdF Test
Code
Filler
Material

Springback*
Ring
(in)
90% Full
100% Full
Stress
Stress
Stress
EFBAFF1
EFBAFF2
EFBAFF3
EFBSFF1
EFBSFF2
EFBSFF3
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
flexible-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
55.4
-54.1
41.2
37.8
31.0
---52.1
46.3
39.0
-9.22E-12
--2.41E-12
--
-3.21E-12
--1.34E-12
--
-------
EFBALF1
EFBALF2
EFBALF3
EFBSLF1
EFBSLF2
EFBSLF3
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
mica-graphite
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
50.1
48.9
33.6
34.1
46.1
34.9
---48.1
-8.72E-11
--3.15E-14
--
-----
50.5
-3.39E-10
--6.62E-14
--
EFBAAF1
EFBAAF2
EFBAAF3
EFBAAF4
EFBAAF5
EFBSAF1
EFBSAF2
EFBSAF3
EFBSAF4
EFBSAF5
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
asbestos
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
16.4
-20.3
18.7
21.6
36.9
20.9
17.3
21.9
22.0
--38.7
29.1
37.3
48.2
35.8
35.3
36.8
28.4
---3.15E-10
1.91E-10
---5.57E-13
--
--------1.91E-14
--
-----------
--
0.0084
-0.0086
0.0076
-0.0065
0.0058
-0.0063
0.0062
-0.0068
0.0060
0.0057
0.0069
--0.0056
0.0060
0.0058
---
2.6.2 Leak Rate, Stress-Relaxation Rate, and Springback Behavior of Filler

Materials
Most utilities in the United States are currently using spiral-wound gaskets with flexible-graphite
filler. The choice of flexible-graphite filler was reviewed relative to the leak rate, stressrelaxation (creep) rate, and springback after release of load. The conclusions are as follows:
Figure 2-3 is a graph prepared by EdF showing the leak rates for 4 inch Class 900 gaskets
with asbestos, mica-graphite, and flexible-graphite filler as a function of the bolt preload
stress. These data clearly show that gaskets with flexible-graphite filler have the lowest leak
rates at all preload stress levels. The data also show that the leak rates tend to decrease as the
bolt preload stress increases. These general conclusions for 4 inch Class 900 gaskets are
confirmed for other sizes and pressure classes in Figure 16 of Appendix B.
2-15

1.00E-05 Leakrate He
(g/s.mmOD)
1.00E-06
4" 900# (under 150 psi He)
1.00E-07
Asbestos
without inner ring
1.00E-08
Graphite + mica
with inner ring
1.00E-09
Graphite + mica
without inner ring
1.00E-10
Flexible graphite
without inner ring
1.00E-11
Flexible graphite
with inner ring
1.00E-12
1.00E-13
Bolt stress (ksi)
1.00E-14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Figure 2-3
Leak Rates for 4 Class 900 Gaskets [4]
The results of Figure 2-3 are confirmed by the leak rate data in Table 2-2 and in Tables 2-3.a
through 2-3.m.
It is especially interesting to note that for all cases in Tables 2-3.a through 2-3.m, the leak
rate decreased as the bolt preload stress was increased.3 This confirms the common wisdom
that the tighter the better. The only caution in this regard is that some of the flexiblegraphite filled gaskets buckled on the inner edge at relatively low (10-15 ksi) bolt stresses,
which resulted in an increase in leakage as the bolt preload stress increased. These poor
results are not reflected in the summary tables because these tests were terminated at preload
stresses of 40 ksi or less. This issue will be discussed in greater detail in Section 2.6.3.
Figure 2-4 is a graph prepared by EdF showing the loss in load from a 40 ksi bolt preload
stress as a function of time for 10 inch Class 300 gaskets with asbestos, mica-graphite, and
flexible-graphite filler. These data show that the flexible-graphite filled gaskets have the least
stress-relaxation (creep). The data also show that gaskets with inner and outer rings tend to
have less stress-relaxation than gaskets with only an outer ring.
Table 2-2 indicates an increase in median leak rate for flexible-graphite filled gaskets going from 50 ksi to 60 ksi
bolt preload stress. However, this is a statistical anomaly reflecting the fact that the higher pressure class flanges that
exhibit very good leak tightness were not tested at 60 ksi bolt preload stress and, therefore, were not included in the
sample. In every case reported, except for the buckled flexible-graphite filled gaskets, the leak rate decreased
as the bolt stress was increased.
2-16

Figure 2-4
Stress-Relaxation (Creep) of 10 Class 300 Gaskets [4]
Table 2-2 reports the average gasket springback for all three filler materials. These data show
that flexible-graphite gaskets tend to have more springback than the asbestos or micagraphite gaskets. The data also show that gaskets with inner and outer rings tend to have
more springback than gaskets with outer rings only. This is believed to be the result of the
greater lateral constraint provided by the inner ring, which puts the gasket in a more
hydrostatic stress state and reduces the amount of plastic deformation during boltup. The
elastic compression of the gasket in a hydrostatic state requires additional bolt force and
results in greater gasket springback when the gasket is unloaded.
In summary, flexible-graphite filler appears to be superior to either asbestos or mica-graphite

from the standpoint of leak rate, stress-relaxation (creep), and springback. The only exception to
this general trend is for the case of some flexible-graphite filled gaskets that buckle at the inner
edge as discussed in Section 2.6.3.
2-17

2.6.3 Benefit of Inner Rings on Gaskets

Inner rings are mandated by ANSI B16.20 [3] for the following spiral-wound gaskets:
Class 900
Class 1500
Class 2500
NPS 24 and larger

NPS 12 and larger
NPS 4 and larger
Further, ANSI B16.20 [3] recommends that the user specify inner rings on all gaskets where
experience has shown inward buckling can occur.
For many years, there have been reports of inward buckling of the inner edge of spiral-wound
gaskets as shown in Figure 2-5. It was known that this condition is undesirable, however, the
effect of the buckling on leak rate had not been quantified. The recent EdF leakage tests have
confirmed the detrimental effect of buckling.
Figure 2-5
Inward Buckling of the Inner Edge of a Spiral-Wound Gasket
Figure 2-6 shows the results of helium leak tests on 10 inch flexible-graphite filled gaskets. The
gaskets are of Class 150, Class 300, and Class 900 and include designs with outer rings, and with
inner and outer rings. For the Class 150 gasket with an outer ring only, the leak rate decreased as
the bolt load was increased. This fits the basic understanding of spiral-wound gasket
performance, that is, the tighter the better. However, for the Class 300 and 900 gaskets with
outer ring only, the leak rate begins to increase at a bolt stress of 10-15 ksi and then remains
essentially constant as the bolt load is increased further. This inversion of the slope of the leak
rate curve is believed to result from gasket buckling.
2-18

1.00E-05 Leakrate He
(g/s.mmOD)
1.00E-06
10" Expanded graphite (under 150 psi He)
1.00E-07
1.00E-08
150# without
inner ring
1.00E-09
150# with
inner ring
1.00E-10
300# without
inner ring
1.00E-11
300# with
inner ring
1.00E-12
900# without
inner ring
1.00E-13
900# with
inner ring
Bolt stress (ksi)
1.00E-14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Figure 2-6
Helium Leak Rates for 10 Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets [4]
The complete set of data in Figure 16 of Appendix B was reviewed to identify flexible-graphite
gaskets that exhibit the buckling phenomenon as evidenced by a significant change in the slope
of the leak rate curve as a function of bolt stress. The two worst cases were the 10 inch Class 300
and 900 gaskets shown in Figure 2-6.
In addition to preventing buckling, the test data show that flexible-graphite filled gaskets with
inner and outer rings have lower leak rates than gaskets with outer rings only at bolt preload
stresses in the range of 40-60 ksi. Gaskets with inner and outer rings also have greater
springback.
Other previously reported reasons for selecting gaskets with inner and outer rings include:
Preventing gasket parts from entering the flow stream if the gasket buckles or the spot welds
fail
Protecting against crushing of low stiffness gaskets
Preventing crushing of gaskets that are not properly centered by four bolt flanges
For the above reasons, the value of using gaskets with inner and outer rings has been confirmed.
2-19

2.6.4 Required Bolt Preload Stress

ANSI B16.20 specifies the gasket deflection as a function of bolt stress. This implies that for the
same bolt stress, all gaskets should have about the same compression. Because the ratio of bolt
area to gasket area varies by a factor of five times (high pressure class gaskets have a greater
ratio of bolt area to gasket area than low pressure class gaskets), this requires that the gasket
manufacturers must vary the metal strip thickness, filler thickness, and/or filler precompression
during winding to produce the specified stress-deflection characteristics.
EdF has reported that less than half of the gaskets tested reached full compression at 30 ksi bolt
stress, but that most gaskets had reached full compression at a 60 ksi bolt stress.
A review of the test results in Table 2-2 shows that the bolt preload stress required to achieve
90% full compression appears to be a function of the pressure class, with lower pressure class
gaskets requiring higher bolt preload stresses to achieve full compression than the higher
pressure class gaskets. This is consistent with the higher pressure class flanges having a greater
ratio of bolt area to gasket area.
Figure 2-7 shows the fraction of flexible-graphite gaskets reaching 90% and 100% of full
compression as a function of applied bolt stress for the case of outer ring gaskets and inner and
outer ring gaskets. As previously discussed, these data show that the lower pressure class gaskets
require higher bolt preload stresses on the average to achieve full, or near full, compression than
the higher pressure class gaskets.
If one preload stress is to be applied for all flange sizes and pressure classes, it appears that the
stress should be 50-60 ksi as has been previously recommended by EPRI.
2-20

Figure 2-7
Fraction of Flexible-Graphite Gaskets Reaching 90% and 100% Full Compression vs.
Preload Stress
2.6.5 Minimum Required Bolt Preload Stress for Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets
The best approach is for all flexible-graphite filled gaskets to have inner and outer rings and to
be preloaded to bolt stresses of 50-60 ksi. This will ensure tight joints that are not susceptible to
buckling and have good margin against crushing. It is possible to use a lower bolt stress for some
higher pressure gaskets and this is discussed in Section 4.
2-21
Blank page
3
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED PRELOAD STRESS
BASED ON STRESS ANALYSIS
This section covers the stress analysis of a full range of ANSI B16.5 flanges by way of a finite
element model, and how the results of this stress analysis might be used to establish maximum
recommended bolt preload stresses.
3.1
Purpose of Finite Element Stress Analyses
The work described in Section 2 of this report focused on the minimum preload necessary to
ensure that spiral-wound gaskets are sufficiently compressed to result in low leakage and a
minimum of gasket unloading in service. The general result of the work described in Section 2
was a determination of the minimum bolt preload for satisfactory service of spiral-wound gaskets
and ANSI B16.5 flanges. Conversely, the maximum bolt preload is generally established by the
stresses and deflections of the flange and bolts. A parametric series of finite element analyses
(FEA) was performed as part of an effort to answer the following questions:
Is there a single preload value that can be used for all sizes and classes of standard ANSI
flanges without causing excessive yielding in the flanges or bolts, or causing excessive flange
rotation?
Which combinations of size and class are the most likely to have excessive yielding or
rotation under high bolt preload?
What is the impact of service conditions such as uniform temperature and ANSI B16.5 rated
internal pressure on the stresses in the flanges and bolts?
3.2
Matrix of Flange Designs, Sizes, and Pressure Classes Analyzed
Calculations were performed for all sizes of ANSI B16.5 welding neck flanges from 1/2 inch up
to 24 inch and for all pressure classes from Class 150 to Class 2500. In addition, socket welding
geometries were also investigated in sizes ranging from 1/2 inch up to 2 inch for all classes
where socket weld fittings are defined by ANSI B16.5. The sizes and classes of flanges
investigated are shown in Table 3-1.
For pressure Class 400 and above, the bore of the flange is specified by the purchaser. Piping
schedules typically used in the electric utility industry are listed in Table 3-1. Specified
dimensions for these pipe schedules were used in the analysis, and the inside flange bore for
pressure Classes 400 and greater were taken as the same inner diameter as that of the attached
pipe.
3-1

Maximum Recommended Preload Stress Based on Stress Analysis
Table 3-1
Matrix of Flanges and Pipe Sizes Analyzed
3-2
Socket Weld
Flange
Type
Weld Neck
Pipe Size
(NPS)
1/4
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
1/4
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
400

600
900
150
300
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
XS
XS
XS
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 60
Sch. 60
Sch. 60
Sch. 60
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
Sch. 100
STD
STD
STD
STD
STD
XS
XS
XS
Sch. 40
Sch. 40
Sch. 60
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
Sch. 80
1500
2500
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160
Sch. 160

3.3
Parametric Finite Element Analysis Model
Analyses were performed using a single finite element analysis model and the general-purpose
2
finite element program ANSYS, Revision 5.6 [6] running on an SGI Indigo R10000
workstation. The model automatically cycled through a matrix of 137 separate flange geometries
corresponding to each of the flange sizes, pressure classes, and flange/pipe welding
configurations as shown in Table 3-2. A typical model with welding neck geometry is shown in
Figure 3-1 and with socket welding geometry in Figure 3-2. The input geometry matrix is given
in Table 3-2. The headings in Table 3-2 correspond to the variables used in the ANSYS input
listing and are defined as follows:
CL
NPSS
Geom
R
BCD
BHD
NOB
DOB
As
O
C
X
A
Y
B
ODG
IDG
ODCR
B10
D
Fitting Class
Nominal Pipe Size
Flange Geometry SW for socket welding or WN for welding neck
Flange Raised-Face Radius
Flange Bolt Circle Diameter
Flange Bolt Hole Diameter
Number of Bolts
Nominal Diameter of Bolts
Bolt Tensile Stress Area (calculated to be As=0.7854(DOB-0.9743/n)^2,
where n is the number of threads per inch) [7]
Flange Outer Diameter
Flange Thickness (note that the raised-face height, H, must be added to the
value in Table 3-3 for all flanges)
Flange Hub Diameter (WN) or Socket Outer Diameter (SW)
Attached Pipe Outer Diameter
Flange Overall Height, including Hub Transition or Socket
Flange Bore Diameter (to match pipe inner diameter)
Gasket Outer Diameter
Gasket Inner Diameter
Centering Ring Outer Diameter
Flange Bore in Socket Welding Region (not used for WN flanges)
Flange Socket Welding Bore Depth (not used for WN flanges)
The raised-face height, H, was taken to be 0.06 inches for Classes 150 and 300, and 0.25 inches
for all other classes.
3-3

Table 3-2
Input Geometry Matrix
CL
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
3-4
NPSS (in)
0.5
0.5
0.75
0.75
1
1
1.25
1.25
1.5
1.5
2
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.5
0.75
0.75
1
1
1.25
1.25
1.5
1.5
2
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
Geom
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
R(in)
1.38
1.38
1.69
1.69
2
2
2.5
2.5
2.88
2.88
3.62
3.62
4.12
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
16.25
18.5
21
23
27.25
1.38
1.38
1.69
1.69
2
2
2.5
2.5
2.88
2.88
3.62
3.62
4.12
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
16.25
BCD(in)
2.38
2.38
2.75
2.75
3.12
3.12
3.5
3.5
3.88
3.88
4.75
4.75
5.5
6
7.5
8.5
9.5
11.75
14.25
17
18.75
21.25
22.75
25
29.5
2.62
2.62
3.25
3.25
3.5
3.5
3.88
3.88
4.5
4.5
5
5
5.88
6.62
7.88
9.25
10.62
13
15.25
17.75
20.25
BHD(in)
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.62
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.88
0.88
1
1
1.12
1.12
1.25
1.25
1.38
0.62
0.62
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.88
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.88
1
1.12
1.25
1.25
NOB
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
8
12
12
12
16
16
20
20
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
12
12
16
16
20
DOB(in) As(sq. in)

0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.125
0.79
O(in)
3.5
3.5
3.88
3.88
4.25
4.25
4.62
4.62
5
5
6
6
7
7.5
9
10
11
13.5
16
19
21
23.5
25
27.5
32
3.75
3.75
4.62
4.62
4.88
4.88
5.25
5.25
6.12
6.12
6.5
6.5
7.5
8.25
10
11
12.5
15
17.5
20.5
23
C(in)
0.44
0.44
0.5
0.5
0.56
0.56
0.62
0.62
0.69
0.69
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.94
0.94
0.94
1
1.12
1.19
1.25
1.38
1.44
1.56
1.69
1.88
0.56
0.56
0.62
0.62
0.69
0.69
0.75
0.75
0.81
0.81
0.88
0.88
1
1.12
1.25
1.38
1.44
1.62
1.88
2
2.12
X(in)
1.19
1.19
1.5
1.5
1.94
1.94
2.31
2.31
2.56
2.56
3.06
3.06
3.56
4.25
5.31
6.44
7.56
9.69
12
14.38
15.75
18
19.88
22
26.12
1.5
1.5
1.88
1.88
2.12
2.12
2.5
2.5
2.75
2.75
3.31
3.31
3.94
4.62
5.75
7
8.12
10.25
12.62
14.75
16.75
A(in)
0.840
0.840
1.050
1.050
1.315
1.315
1.660
1.660
1.900
1.900
2.375
2.375
2.875
3.500
4.500
5.563
6.625
8.625
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
0.840
0.840
1.050
1.050
1.320
1.320
1.660
1.660
1.900
1.900
2.380
2.380
2.880
3.500
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
10.750
12.750
14.000
Y(in)
0.62
1.88
0.62
2.06
0.69
2.19
0.81
2.25
0.88
2.44
1
2.5
2.75
2.75
3
3.5
3.5
4
4
4.5
5
5
5.5
5.69
6
0.88
2.06
1
2.25
1.06
2.44
1.06
2.56
1.19
2.69
1.31
2.75
3
3.12
3.38
3.88
3.88
4.38
4.62
5.12
5.62
B(in)
0.62
0.62
0.82
0.82
1.05
1.05
1.38
1.38
1.61
1.61
2.07
2.07
2.47
3.07
4.03
5.05
6.07
7.98
10.02
12.00
13.25
15.25
17.25
19.25
23.25
0.62
0.62
0.82
0.82
1.05
1.05
1.38
1.38
1.61
1.61
2.07
2.07
2.47
3.07
4.03
5.05
6.07
7.98
10.02
12.00
13.25
ODG(in)
1.25
1.25
1.56
1.56
1.88
1.88
2.38
2.38
2.75
2.75
3.38
3.38
3.88
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.38
12.5
14.75
16
18.25
20.75
22.75
27
1.25
1.25
1.56
1.56
1.88
1.88
2.38
2.38
2.75
2.75
3.38
3.38
3.88
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.38
12.5
14.75
16
IDG(in) ODCR(in) B10(in)

0.75
1.88
0.88
0.75
1.88
0.00
1
2.25
1.09
1
2.25
0.00
1.25
2.63
1.36
1.25
2.63
0.00
1.88
3
1.70
1.88
3
0.00
2.13
3.38
1.95
2.13
3.38
0.00
2.75
4.13
2.44
2.75
4.13
0.00
3.25
4.88
0.00
4
5.38
0.00
5
6.88
0.00
6.13
7.75
0.00
7.19
8.75
0.00
9.19
11
0.00
11.31
13.38
0.00
13.38
16.13
0.00
14.63
17.75
0.00
16.63
20.25
0.00
18.69
21.63
0.00
20.69
23.88
0.00
24.75
28.25
0.00
0.75
2.13
0.88
0.75
2.13
0.00
1
2.63
1.09
1
2.63
0.00
1.25
2.88
1.36
1.25
2.88
0.00
1.88
3.25
1.70
1.88
3.25
0.00
2.13
3.75
1.95
2.13
3.75
0.00
2.75
4.38
2.44
2.75
4.38
0.00
3.25
5.13
0.00
4
5.88
0.00
5
7.13
0.00
6.13
8.5
0.00
7.19
9.88
0.00
9.19
12.13
0.00
11.31
14.25
0.00
13.38
16.63
0.00
14.63
19.13
0.00
D(in)
0.38
0.00
0.44
0.00
0.50
0.00
0.56
0.00
0.62
0.00
0.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.38
0.00
0.44
0.00
0.50
0.00
0.56
0.00
0.62
0.00
0.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Table 3-2, continued
CL
300
300
300
300
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
900
900
900
900
900
NPSS (in)
16
18
20
24
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.5
0.75
0.75
1
1
1.25
1.25
1.5
1.5
2
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
3
4
5
6
8
Geom
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
R(in)
18.5
21
23
27.25
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
16.25
18.5
21
23
27.25
1.38
1.38
1.69
1.69
2
2
2.5
2.5
2.88
2.88
3.62
3.62
4.12
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
16.25
18.5
21
23
27.25
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
BCD(in)
22.5
24.75
27
32
7.88
9.25
10.62
13
15.25
17.75
20.25
22.5
24.75
27
32
2.62
2.62
3.25
3.25
3.5
3.5
3.88
3.88
4.5
4.5
5
5
5.88
6.62
8.5
10.5
11.5
13.75
17
19.25
20.75
23.75
25.75
28.5
33
7.5
9.25
11
12.5
15.5
BHD(in)
1.38
1.38
1.38
1.62
1
1
1
1.12
1.25
1.38
1.38
1.5
1.5
1.62
1.88
0.62
0.62
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.88
0.75
0.75
0.88
0.88
1
1.12
1.12
1.25
1.38
1.38
1.5
1.62
1.75
1.75
2
1
1.25
1.38
1.25
1.5
NOB
20
24
24
24
8
8
12
12
16
16
20
20
24
24
24
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
12
12
16
20
20
20
20
24
24
8
8
8
12
12
DOB(in) As(sq. in)

1.25
1
1.25
1
1.25
1
1.5
1.492
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
1.25
1
1.375
1.233
1.375
1.233
1.5
1.492
1.75
2.08
0.5
0.1419
0.5
0.1419
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.625
0.226
0.625
0.226
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
1.25
1
1.375
1.233
1.5
1.492
1.625
1.78
1.625
1.78
1.875
2.41
0.875
0.462
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
1.125
0.79
1.375
1.233
O(in)
25.5
28
30.5
36
10
11
12.5
15
17.5
20.5
23
25.5
28
30.5
36
3.75
3.75
4.62
4.62
4.88
4.88
5.25
5.25
6.12
6.12
6.5
6.5
7.5
8.25
10.75
13
14
16.5
20
22
23.75
27
29.25
32
37
9.5
11.5
13.75
15
18.5
C(in)
2.25
2.38
2.5
2.75
1.38
1.5
1.62
1.88
2.12
2.25
2.38
2.5
2.62
2.75
3
0.56
0.56
0.62
0.62
0.69
0.69
0.81
0.81
0.88
0.88
1
1
1.12
1.25
1.5
1.75
1.88
2.19
2.5
2.62
2.75
3
3.25
3.5
4
1.5
1.75
2
2.19
2.5
X(in)
19
21
23.12
27.62
5.75
7
8.12
10.25
12.62
14.75
16.75
19
21
23.12
27.62
1.5
1.5
1.88
1.88
2.12
2.12
2.5
2.5
2.75
2.75
3.31
3.31
3.94
4.62
6
7.44
8.75
10.75
13.5
15.75
17
19.5
21.5
24
28.25
5
6.25
7.5
9.25
11.75
A(in)
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
0.840
0.840
1.050
1.050
1.320
1.320
1.660
1.660
1.900
1.900
2.380
2.380
2.880
3.500
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
3.500
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
Y(in)
5.75
6.25
6.38
6.62
3.5
4
4.06
4.62
4.88
5.38
5.88
6
6.5
6.62
6.88
0.88
2.06
1
2.25
1.06
2.44
1.12
2.62
1.25
2.75
1.44
2.88
3.12
3.25
4
4.5
4.62
5.25
6
6.12
6.5
7
7.25
7.5
8
4
4.5
5
5.5
6.38
B(in)
15.25
17.00
19.00
23.00
4.03
5.05
6.07
7.98
10.02
11.75
13.00
15.00
16.88
18.81
22.06
0.55
0.55
0.74
0.74
0.96
0.96
1.28
1.28
1.50
1.50
1.94
1.94
2.47
3.07
4.03
5.05
6.07
7.63
9.56
11.37
12.81
14.69
16.50
18.38
21.56
2.90
3.83
4.81
5.76
7.63
ODG(in)
18.25
20.75
22.75
27
5.88
7
8.25
10.38
12.5
14.75
16
18.25
20.75
22.75
27
1.25
1.25
1.56
1.56
1.88
1.88
2.38
2.38
2.75
2.75
3.38
3.38
3.88
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.38
12.5
14.75
16
18.25
20.75
22.75
27
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.13

16.63
21.25
0.00
18.69
23.5
0.00
20.69
25.75
0.00
24.75
30.5
0.00
4.75
7
0.00
5.81
8.38
0.00
6.88
9.75
0.00
8.88
12
0.00
10.81
14.13
0.00
12.88
16.5
0.00
14.25
19
0.00
16.25
21.13
0.00
18.5
23.38
0.00
20.5
25.5
0.00
24.75
30.25
0.00
0.75
2.13
0.88
0.75
2.13
0.00
1
2.63
1.09
1
2.63
0.00
1.25
2.88
1.36
1.25
2.88
0.00
1.88
3.25
1.70
1.88
3.25
0.00
2.13
3.75
1.95
2.13
3.75
0.00
2.75
4.38
2.44
2.75
4.38
0.00
3.25
5.13
0.00
4
5.88
0.00
4.75
7.63
0.00
5.81
9.5
0.00
6.88
10.5
0.00
8.88
12.63
0.00
10.81
15.75
0.00
12.88
18
0.00
14.25
19.38
0.00
16.25
22.25
0.00
18.5
24.13
0.00
20.5
26.88
0.00
24.75
31.13
0.00
3.75
6.63
0.00
4.75
8.13
0.00
5.81
9.75
0.00
6.88
11.38
0.00
8.88
14.13
0.00
D(in)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.38
0.00
0.44
0.00
0.50
0.00
0.56
0.00
0.62
0.00
0.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3-5

CL
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
3-6
NPSS (in)
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.5
0.75
0.75
1
1
1.25
1.25
1.5
1.5
2
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
Geom
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
R(in)
12.75
15
16.25
18.5
21
23
27.25
1.38
1.38
1.69
1.69
2
2
2.5
2.5
2.88
2.88
3.62
3.62
4.12
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
16.25
18.5
21
23
27.25
1.38
1.69
2
2.5
2.88
3.62
4.12
5
6.19
7.31
8.5
10.62
12.75
15
BCD(in)
18.5
21
22
24.25
27
29.5
35.5
3.25
3.25
3.5
3.5
4
4
4.38
4.38
4.88
4.88
6.5
6.5
7.5
8
9.5
11.5
12.5
15.5
19
22.5
25
27.75
30.5
32.75
39
3.5
3.75
4.25
5.12
5.75
6.75
7.75
9
10.75
12.75
14.5
17.25
21.25
24.38
BHD(in)
1.5
1.5
1.62
1.75
2
2.12
2.62
0.88
0.88
0.88
0.88
1
1
1
1
1.12
1.12
1
1
1.12
1.25
1.38
1.62
1.5
1.75
2
2.12
2.38
2.62
2.88
3.12
3.62
0.88
0.88
1
1.12
1.25
1.12
1.25
1.38
1.62
1.88
2.12
2.12
2.62
2.88
NOB
16
20
20
20
20
20
20
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
12
12
12
16
16
16
16
16
16
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
12
12
12
DOB(in) As(sq. in)

1.375
1.233
1.375
1.233
1.5
1.492
1.625
1.78
1.875
2.41
2
2.77
2.5
4.44
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1
0.606
0.875
0.462
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
1.5
1.492
1.375
1.233
1.625
1.78
1.875
2.41
2
2.77
2.25
3.56
2.5
4.44
2.75
5.43
6.51
3
3.5
8.96
0.75
0.334
0.75
0.334
0.875
0.462
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1
0.606
1.125
0.79
1.25
1
1.5
1.492
1.75
2.08
2
2.77
2
2.77
2.5
4.44
2.75
5.43
O(in)
21.5
24
25.25
27.75
31
33.75
41
4.75
4.75
5.12
5.12
5.88
5.88
6.25
6.25
7
7
8.5
8.5
9.62
10.5
12.25
14.75
15.5
19
23
26.5
29.5
32.5
36
38.75
46
5.25
5.5
6.25
7.25
8
9.25
10.5
12
14
16.5
19
21.75
26.5
30
C(in)
2.75
3.12
3.38
3.5
4
4.25
5.5
0.88
0.88
1
1
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.25
1.25
1.5
1.5
1.62
1.88
2.12
2.88
3.25
3.62
4.25
4.88
5.25
5.75
6.38
7
8
1.19
1.25
1.38
1.5
1.75
2
2.25
2.62
3
3.62
4.25
5
6.5
7.25
X(in)
14.5
16.5
17.75
20
22.25
24.5
29.5
1.5
1.5
1.75
1.75
2.06
2.06
2.5
2.5
2.75
2.75
4.12
4.12
4.88
5.25
6.38
7.75
9
11.5
14.5
17.75
19.5
21.75
23.5
25.25
30
1.69
2
2.25
2.88
3.12
3.75
4.5
5.25
6.5
8
9.25
12
14.75
17.38
A(in)
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
0.840
0.840
1.050
1.050
1.320
1.320
1.660
1.660
1.900
1.900
2.380
2.380
2.880
3.500
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
10.750
12.750
14.000
16.000
18.000
20.000
24.000
0.840
1.050
1.320
1.660
1.900
2.380
2.880
3.500
4.500
5.560
6.630
8.630
10.750
12.750
Y(in)
7.25
7.88
8.38
8.5
9
9.75
11.5
1.25
2.38
1.38
2.75
1.62
2.88
1.62
2.88
1.75
3.25
2.25
4
4.12
4.62
4.88
6.12
6.75
8.38
10
11.12
11.75
12.25
12.88
14
16
2.88
3.12
3.5
3.75
4.38
5
5.62
6.62
7.5
9
10.75
12.5
16.5
18.25
B(in)
9.56
11.37
12.50
14.31
16.12
17.94
21.56
0.55
0.55
0.74
0.74
0.96
0.96
1.28
1.28
1.50
1.50
1.94
1.94
2.32
2.90
3.83
4.81
5.76
7.44
9.31
11.06
12.12
13.94
15.69
17.44
20.94
0.46
0.61
0.82
1.16
1.34
1.69
0.00
2.62
3.44
4.31
5.19
6.81
8.50
10.13
ODG(in)
12.25
14.5
15.75
18
20.5
22.5
26.75
1.25
1.25
1.56
1.56
1.88
1.88
2.38
2.38
2.75
2.75
3.38
3.38
3.88
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.13
12.25
14.5
15.75
18
20.5
22.5
26.75
1.25
1.56
1.88
2.38
2.75
3.38
3.88
4.75
5.88
7
8.25
10.13
12.25
14.5

10.88
17.13
0.00
12.75
19.63
0.00
14
20.5
0.00
16.25
22.63
0.00
18.25
25.13
0.00
20.5
27.5
0.00
24.75
33
0.00
0.75
2.5
0.88
0.75
2.5
0.00
1
2.75
1.09
1
2.75
0.00
1.25
3.13
1.36
1.25
3.13
0.00
1.56
3.5
1.70
1.56
3.5
0.00
1.88
3.88
1.95
1.88
3.88
0.00
2.31
5.63
2.44
2.31
5.63
0.00
2.75
6.5
0.00
3.63
6.88
0.00
4.63
8.25
0.00
5.63
10
0.00
6.75
11.13
0.00
8.5
13.88
0.00
10.5
17.13
0.00
12.75
20.5
0.00
14.25
22.75
0.00
16
25.25
0.00
18.25
27.75
0.00
20.25
29.75
0.00
24.25
35.5
0.00
0.75
2.75
0.00
1
3
0.00
1.25
3.38
0.00
1.56
4.13
0.00
1.88
4.63
0.00
2.31
5.75
0.00
2.75
6.63
0.00
3.63
7.75
0.00
4.63
9.25
0.00
5.63
11
0.00
6.75
12.5
0.00
8.5
15.25
0.00
10.63
18.75
0.00
12.5
21.63
0.00
D(in)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.38
0.00
0.44
0.00
0.50
0.00
0.56
0.00
0.62
0.00
0.69
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Pipe
Flange
Hub
Zone of Reduced Modulus in Flange

to Represent Bolt Holes
Bolt Elements (Overlap, but are not
connected to flange elements)
Tie Bars Linking Tops of Bolts
to Top of Flange
Y
Z
X
Spiral-Wound
Gasket
Gasket Outer Ring
Figure 3-1
Typical Finite Element Model With Welding Neck Geometry
3-7

Y
Z
Figure 3-2
Typical Finite Element Model With Socket Weld Geometry
For each of the 137 geometries analyzed, the joint was loaded by tensioning the bolts in 5 ksi
increments from zero load up to 90 ksi at ambient temperature. The preload stress states at 30,
45, 60, 75, and 90 ksi were used as starting points for additional load steps of maximum
allowable working pressure corresponding to temperatures of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and
650 F. The ANSI B16.5 allowable working pressures for each fitting class are listed as a
function of temperature in Table 3-3.
Table 3-3
ANSI B16.5 Allowable Working Pressures as a Function of Temperature
CLASS
150
300
400
600
900
1500
2500
3-8
H(in)
0.06
0.06
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
P100
285
740
990
1480
2220
3705
6170
P200
260
675
900
1350
2025
3375
5625
P300
230
655
875
1315
1970
3280
5470
P400
200
635
845
1270
1900
3170
5280
P500
170
600
800
1200
1795
2995
4990
P600
140
550
730
1095
1640
2735
4560
P650
125
535
715
1075
1610
2685
4475

The flange was also unloaded from 60 to 0 ksi bolt stress to check the unloading behavior of the
gasket. The resulting loading-unloading curves, along with the gasket model and material
properties, are discussed later in this section.
3.4
Structural Model and Material Properties
The features of the parametric model for the case of a welding neck geometry are shown in
Figure 3-1. The flange, attached pipe, and gasket outer ring are all assumed to be low carbon
steel. In the vicinity of the bolt circle, the flange modulus is derated to account for decreased
stiffness due to the presence of bolt holes. The bolts are represented by a series of elastic beam
elements with tension-compression and bending capabilities. They are connected to the top of the
flange by a corresponding series of rigid tie-bar elements overlaid on top of the flange bearing
surface. The non-linear behavior of the spiral-wound gasket is simulated by two materials with
different stiffness and closure gaps to the flange, as discussed later in this section.
All of the materials except for the bolts and tie-bars were modeled as elastic-plastic using a
bilinear isotropic hardening rule (see Figure 3-3). Temperature-dependent properties were used
for the elastic modulus, coefficient of thermal expansion, and stress-strain curves. All material
properties were taken from the 1989 Edition of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III [8]
(the most recent version currently accepted by the NRC).
3-9

(x10**1)
40,000
T1 = 100
36,000
T2 = 200
32,000
T4 = 500
T3 = 400
28,000
T5 = 600
T6 = 650
24,000
SIG
20,000
16,000
12,000
8,000
4,000
(x10**-3)
0
0.000
0.002
0.001
0.004
0.003
0.005
Percent Strain
Figure 3-3
Bilinear Isotropic Hardening Model for Low Carbon Steel Materials
Another feature of note is the interface (gap) elements between the flange and the gasket outer
ring and between the flange and the second layer of gasket material. These elements allow the
respective surfaces to come into contact as the bolt is tightened. Therefore, once the gasket is
fully compressed, the gap elements between the flange raised face and the gasket outer ring close
and any additional load is shared between additional compression of the gasket and increased
loading of the gasket outer ring.
The socket welding variation of the model shown in Figure 3-2 shares many common features
with the welding neck version. The only difference of note is that the pipe elements are
connected to the socket fitting by a fillet weld. The fillet weld was taken to be of the minimum
size required by ASME piping codes, 1.09 times the wall thickness of the attached pipe.
As noted above, the model was used to perform a mechanical load-compression pass followed by
a series of load steps with uniform temperature and internal pressure corresponding to seven
different temperatures at five evenly spaced initial bolt preloads. For these steps, a uniform
temperature was applied to all elements, and pressure was applied to all wetted surfaces. Note
that the gasket was assumed to be fully effective, so the contact area between the flange and the
3-10

gasket was not considered part of the wetted surface. In addition, a pressure was applied to the
free end of the pipe, calculated to equal the longitudinal pipe stress resulting from internal
pressure acting on an end-cap.
The model was mechanically restrained by applying symmetry boundary conditions at the gasket
centerline, simulating an identical flange opposing the one modeled. The gasket elements in the
model were sized to be half of the height (thickness) of a full gasket, in accordance with the
symmetry assumption. In addition, the nodes on the free end of the pipe at the top of the model
were coupled in the pipe axial direction in order to account for the additional piping that
continues past the extent of the model.
3.5
Gasket Model and Material Properties
Significant effort was devoted to simulation of the highly nonlinear behavior of the gaskets in the
finite element model. Figure 3-4 shows typical load-compression data obtained by EdF for 4 inch
Class 150 flexible-graphite filled gaskets. The figure shows that the gasket load-compression
curve has a very low initial slope, reaching 60% to 70% full compression at approximately 25 ksi
bolt stress. As the gaskets near full compression, the slope increases markedly. Likewise, as the
bolts are relaxed from the fully compressed state, unloading initially follows a steep slope but the
slope decreases significantly below 20 ksi bolt stress. The springback displacement was
measured to be in the range of 0.005 to 0.010 inches for most of the flexible-graphite filled
gaskets tested.
80
70
4" 150 CGI
Bolt Stress (ksi)
60
4" 150 CG
50
40
30
20
10
4" Model 150
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Fraction of Full Compression
1.2
Figure 3-4
Finite Element Models of Flexible-Graphite Filled Gaskets
3-11

This type of nonlinear behavior is difficult to model using conventional elastic-plastic stressstrain laws because one of the governing assumptions in the material laws used by ANSYS is
that the slope of the stress-strain curve cannot increase with increasing strain. The gasket model
devised for the work described in this report consists of two parallel layers which, when
combined, approximate the behavior of the spiral-wound gasket. The first layer (low stiffness) is
assumed to be in initial contact with the flange. The material properties for this layer were
selected in such a way that the layer begins to strain plastically at a very low stress and work
hardens at a rate such that the gap elements between the flange and the second gasket layer close
at approximately 25 ksi bolt stress and 80% gasket compression. The second gasket layer (higher
stiffness) becomes active at 80% of full gasket compression. The work hardening behavior of
this second layer is tuned to allow the flange to contact the outer ring at a bolt stress of about
45 ksi.
The behavior of the finite element model during a simulated load-compression test is also shown
in Figure 3-4. The modeling approach leads to a bilinear approximation to the loading and
unloading behavior midway between that of the CG and CGI style gaskets. The elastic moduli of
the gasket layers were selected to control the amount of springback during unloading.
Comparison of the EdF data and the FEA data in Figure 3-4 reveals that the loading and
unloading behavior of the gasket data is well simulated by the gasket model although the
springback is somewhat greater than indicated by the EdF data. The difference in springback is
primarily found in the gasket behavior for unloading below 20 ksi, which is a region of lower
interest to the parametric modeling described in this section.
3.6
Acceptance Criteria
Section III, Subsection NB, of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code [8] has specific
requirements for allowable stresses in Class 1 bolts. Any changes to the preload for Class 1 (that
is, primary coolant pressure boundary) bolts must be validated by analysis.
Appendix XII to Section III of the ASME Code permits any bolt preload stress for non-Class 1
joints that does not result in yielding of the bolts, bending of the flange, or crushing of the
gasket. This is consistent with the earlier EPRI Good Bolting Practices manual, which permits
preloads up to 85% of the bolt yield strength for problem joints [9].
Although a technical case can be made for stresses up to 85% of the bolt yield strength for
specific joints, the purpose of this report is to determine the highest bolt preload stress that will
not damage the flange or bolts, in the spirit of Appendix XII to ASME Section III. The
acceptance criteria developed here, while based on guidance derived from several different
design codes, are not to be interpreted as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements,
nor should they be considered mandatory.
The acceptance criteria considered in selecting the maximum recommended bolt preload for each
flange analyzed are as follows:
3-12

3.6.1 Bolt Membrane Stress

It is important to limit the bolt membrane stress (axial stress averaged across the bolt crosssection) to a value safely below yield. The EPRI Good Bolting Practices manual [9] suggests
that preloads as high as 70-85% of the bolt yield strength are acceptable. Section III, Subsection
NB of the ASME Code (Class 1 components) limits the membrane stress of bolting to 2/3 of the
yield stress at temperature. While a case could be made for allowable bolt membrane stresses
closer to yield, 2/3 yield should be satisfactory for most applications.
The analyses performed in this report assume the bolts are high strength A193, Grade B7. This
material specification provides a minimum yield strength for bolting less than or equal to
2.5 inch nominal diameter (105 ksi at room temperature) and a lower minimum yield strength for
bolting up to 4 inches in nominal diameter (95 ksi at room temperature). The effects of
temperature and bolt diameter were both considered in calculating the 2/3 yield acceptance
criterion.
3.6.2 Bolt Membrane Plus Bending Stress
In addition to the bolt membrane stress discussed above, the bolts are also subjected to bending
stresses due to flange rotation. The side of the bolt nearest to the flange centerline has a greaterthan-average axial stress. A small amount of yielding of the bolts in bending is acceptable
because the amount of resultant deformation is self-limiting. However, significant yielding can
result in the bolts being subject to ratcheting and fatigue with repeated assembly/disassembly
cycles.
One might conclude that lower bolt preload stresses would reduce the likelihood of fatigue but
this is not always the case. If the bolt is preloaded sufficiently well as to create a hard joint,
then the dominant fatigue usage is due to assembly/disassembly cycles, which are typically very
small in number. Excessively low bolt preload will result in a soft joint, where the bolt stress
amplitudes associated with thermal and pressure cycling are greater, and this can result in
increased fatigue usage under operating conditions.
Section III, Subsection NB of the ASME Code (Class 1 components) limits the bolt membrane
plus bending stress to yield stress at temperature, although the stress is permitted to exceed this
value if the possibility of stress ratcheting is precluded. Accordingly, we have selected yield
stress as the acceptance criterion for bolt membrane plus bending stress, although it is recognized
that it is possible to exceed this value if necessary to ensure a hard joint.
3.6.3 Flange Plastic Strain
It is recognized in the literature, and stated in Appendix XII to Section III of the ASME Code,
that standard ANSI flanges might have regions of local plasticity when bolts are preloaded to
levels necessary to achieve tight seals using spiral-wound gaskets. Nonetheless, these flanges
have been proven to be acceptable by years of successful service. However, in order to limit the
amount of plastic deformation in the flange, we have selected an acceptance criterion of 1%
plastic strain. This is less than the 2.5% plastic strain permitted by Canadian Code for pipelines
3-13

(CAN/CSA-Z187-M87) [10] and well below the typical 10% strain introduced during a 5:1 pipe
bend [1].
3.6.4 Gasket Outer Ring Plastic Strain

A greater degree of plastic strain is permissible in the gasket outer ring because this part is not
re-used, thus, stress ratcheting and fatigue are not as much of a concern. However, it continues to
be desirable to limit excessive strain in the gasket outer ring. A limit of 2% plastic strain was
selected for the outer ring, which is still less than the strain allowed by the Canadian Code cited
above.
3.6.5 Flange Rotation Measured Across Gasket Face

If flange rotation becomes excessive, it can interfere with the ability of the flange to compress
the gasket properly. For this reason, the EPRI Good Bolting Practices manual [9] limits flange
out-of-flatness in the radial and circumferential directions to 0.015 inches. This value is about
1/3 of the 0.050 gasket full compression. In a like manner, flange rotation for this analysis has
been limited to 0.015 inches across the active width of the gasket. In terms of the model
parameters listed above, and assuming equal flange rotation on both halves of the joint, the
acceptance criterion can be expressed as:
Rotation < 0.015 inches/(ODG-IDG)
3.7
Summary of Results
Each of the 137 cases listed in Table 3-2 were analyzed using the finite element model. The
various acceptance criteria described above were applied by interpolating between and
extrapolating from the results of cases run at the preload values of 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 ksi. For
example, for the 4 inch, Class 150 flange, the bolt membrane plus bending stress values at 650F
and the corresponding allowable pressure are as follows:
Bolt Preload Stress

30 ksi preload
45 ksi preload
60 ksi preload
75 ksi preload
90 ksi preload
Bolt Membrane Plus

Bending Stress at 650F
42.0 ksi
62.3 ksi
80.9 ksi
99.5 ksi
117.3 ksi
Complete results of the finite element stress analysis are available as EPRI report
000000000001000103, Finite-Element Analyses for ANSI Raised-Face Flanges Using SpiralWound Gaskets.
The acceptance criterion for bolt membrane plus bending stress was selected to be yield stress at
the temperature of interest. For the bolt material (bolts less than 2.5 inch nominal diameter), this
value can be found to be 83,000 psi. Interpolation between the reported values at 60 and 75 ksi
3-14

shows that the joint must be preloaded to a membrane stress no higher than 61.7 ksi to allow for
the membrane plus bending stresses that will occur at 650 F. This is the value reported in
Table 3-4.
Similar interpolations were performed for all of the acceptance criteria listed above at preload
only conditions (ambient temperature), as well as design temperature and pressure at each of the
seven temperatures analyzed. The results of these interpolations are summarized in Table 3-4.
3-15

Table 3-4
Summary Table of FEA Results (Allowable Room Temperature Bolt Preload Stresses (ksi)
That Will Result in Reaching the Specified Allowables at Some Operating Conditions)
Flange
Class
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
3-16
Size
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
Type
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
Bolt
Bolt
1% Plastic
2Sm Limit 3Sm Limit
Strain
69.5
30.0
35.5
69.2
38.8
37.1
68.1
49.5
46.0
65.1
62.0
85.1
63.6
68.0
117.7
65.1
56.5
88.3
69.6
34.4
48.3
69.0
45.2
67.5
66.4
57.2
87.8
63.6
66.2
105.0
63.2
71.9
145.6
63.3
61.3
172.3
62.9
69.9
200.0
62.8
76.9
200.0
63.3
61.7
190.6
64.0
52.1
154.7
63.2
60.1
200.0
63.3
68.3
200.0
63.7
51.8
101.1
63.7
54.8
119.3
63.9
49.6
94.2
65.5
45.2
81.2
64.6
47.5
78.2
65.7
46.1
71.9
67.9
42.7
66.6
68.9
52.1
67.2
69.6
42.9
60.1
68.4
50.9
68.7
66.2
59.4
75.7
68.1
48.1
65.3
68.4
52.8
65.5
68.7
55.7
73.9
69.7
45.5
63.3
67.9
54.7
73.2
64.4
62.4
81.3
67.2
51.9
74.0
67.1
57.5
83.3
68.7
51.7
74.0
65.1
61.3
90.9
63.0
68.4
188.1
63.0
73.1
200.0
63.7
67.8
101.9
64.2
65.1
91.3
68.1
60.8
77.3
70.0
56.2
72.0
70.0
54.2
65.0
70.0
49.6
60.8
70.0
52.8
60.6
70.0
55.7
61.9
70.0
44.9
49.8
H
H
H
H
H
H
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
H
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
H
F
H
H
H
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
2% Ring Flange Overall

Limit
Strain Rotation Limit < 52.5 ksi
57.0
70.1
30.0
*
66.0
84.4
37.1
*
75.6
107.1
46.0
*
87.7
200.0
62.0
121.5
200.0
63.6
176.3
200.0
56.5
65.8
106.3
34.4
*
75.3
147.1
45.2
*
80.7
200.0
57.2
88.2
200.0
63.6
121.4
200.0
63.2
200.0
200.0
61.3
200.0
200.0
62.9
200.0
200.0
62.8
200.0
200.0
61.7
116.5
200.0
52.1
*
137.1
200.0
60.1
200.0
200.0
63.3
83.1
189.0
51.8
*
94.8
200.0
54.8
80.5
146.4
49.6
*
71.2
92.7
45.2
*
65.5
90.8
47.5
*
62.2
75.0
46.1
*
58.2
55.6
42.7
*
67.6
112.5
52.1
*
62.3
91.2
42.9
*
65.8
104.8
50.9
*
72.9
200.0
59.4
66.1
117.9
48.1
*
77.3
111.1
52.8
69.6
176.8
55.7
64.5
113.5
45.5
*
67.2
177.6
54.7
74.9
200.0
62.4
67.2
200.0
51.9
*
80.5
200.0
57.5
70.8
129.0
51.7
*
80.6
200.0
61.3
130.1
200.0
63.0
200.0
200.0
63.0
83.6
200.0
63.7
79.2
199.9
64.2
65.9
114.6
60.8
63.4
89.5
56.2
60.4
74.3
54.2
51.5
62.2
49.6
*
50.6
61.3
50.6
*
51.9
61.9
51.9
*
46.1
38.4
38.4
*

Summary Table of FEA Results
Flange
Class
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
400
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
900
Size
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
Type
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
Bolt
Bolt
1% Plastic
2Sm Limit 3Sm Limit
Strain
62.8
71.4
129.5
62.4
73.6
181.7
63.5
70.1
113.8
63.7
69.4
111.7
69.1
63.2
83.0
68.8
61.1
82.5
70.0
58.7
72.8
70.0
53.9
67.8
70.0
55.5
68.7
70.0
50.3
63.4
70.0
47.4
61.2
67.1
69.4
78.3
68.9
58.5
68.1
66.0
65.9
84.9
62.5
75.8
105.6
64.3
67.1
93.0
63.3
74.0
108.8
66.7
71.8
81.5
68.7
60.5
66.8
65.4
68.4
85.9
62.4
77.4
107.3
63.1
69.5
98.1
62.6
75.7
113.4
65.0
68.8
87.8
62.3
74.3
119.8
62.5
73.2
132.9
62.7
71.8
122.4
64.2
70.3
94.6
62.8
71.4
98.0
67.7
66.8
79.6
70.0
66.2
78.0
70.0
60.7
68.2
70.0
60.0
66.8
70.0
60.8
68.9
70.0
59.7
63.9
70.0
60.5
63.7
62.5
73.5
98.0
66.1
65.8
83.0
66.5
65.2
81.6
64.0
70.9
83.7
67.6
65.6
82.1
68.9
66.0
79.3
70.0
68.6
78.3
70.0
68.1
76.3
70.0
66.7
75.5
70.0
64.2
68.6
70.0
64.1
67.9
70.0
62.8
60.7
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F

Limit
84.1
200.0
62.8
95.2
200.0
62.4
75.8
200.0
63.5
70.3
200.0
63.7
62.7
93.4
62.7
60.9
91.4
60.9
54.6
75.5
54.6
50.9
62.3
50.9
*
50.2
60.7
50.2
*
48.8
50.5
48.8
*
48.2
51.0
47.4
*
80.1
107.3
67.1
75.9
100.9
58.5
73.8
131.1
65.9
79.2
150.8
62.5
75.1
143.6
64.3
85.4
90.0
63.3
80.1
106.4
66.7
77.4
95.5
60.5
73.9
123.7
65.4
79.3
147.0
62.4
75.3
137.1
63.1
85.7
200.0
62.6
79.6
159.8
65.0
83.5
90.0
62.3
84.4
90.0
62.5
81.1
90.0
62.7
67.5
90.0
64.2
66.5
90.0
62.8
60.8
137.4
60.8
56.7
100.7
56.7
53.1
78.3
53.1
51.1
70.5
51.1
*
50.4
71.5
50.4
*
49.5
62.2
49.5
*
49.8
73.1
49.8
*
75.6
90.0
62.5
69.2
90.0
65.8
67.7
90.0
65.2
65.2
90.0
64.0
69.1
142.5
65.6
66.6
109.7
66.0
64.9
90.2
64.9
63.4
91.8
63.4
62.5
91.4
62.5
54.1
75.2
54.1
54.3
80.6
54.3
51.1
80.2
51.1
*
3-17

Summary Table of FEA Results
Flange
Class
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
1500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
2500
3-18
Size
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
1.5
2
2.5
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
Type
SW
WN
SW
WN
SW
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
WN
Bolt
Bolt
1% Plastic
2Sm Limit 3Sm Limit
Strain
70.0
60.9
34.6
68.1
74.2
49.6
68.2
69.4
48.1
65.1
70.5
71.1
65.6
67.6
68.7
65.7
72.2
75.8
70.0
62.2
34.8
67.8
75.8
49.8
68.2
71.4
48.2
64.9
72.7
72.2
65.2
70.3
69.9
65.5
74.1
76.9
66.6
69.0
72.2
65.9
70.8
71.9
66.1
69.9
76.9
64.8
74.2
71.5
63.3
78.2
69.8
64.9
75.2
76.0
63.9
75.1
74.2
66.6
75.1
64.7
70.0
69.0
55.3
70.0
66.6
56.9
63.3
62.0
56.2
63.3
61.4
53.4
63.3
59.8
50.5
68.3
87.0
35.4
65.9
89.1
50.6
65.6
85.7
48.9
64.1
80.4
58.8
63.8
80.6
57.2
64.2
81.5
65.2
64.5
79.3
62.2
62.9
80.7
62.9
64.4
77.3
63.2
63.8
77.6
60.4
63.1
78.4
55.1
63.7
80.0
61.5
64.6
80.2
50.2
55.7
72.1
55.3
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F

Limit
67.0
59.9
34.6
*
78.1
73.2
49.6
*
76.3
71.0
48.1
*
69.2
101.5
65.1
69.4
102.9
65.6
68.8
194.1
65.7
73.9
59.9
34.8
*
79.2
72.8
49.8
*
78.0
70.5
48.2
*
69.3
99.0
64.9
69.7
99.1
65.2
69.2
160.9
65.5
67.1
200.0
66.6
67.0
150.7
65.9
66.4
90.0
66.1
63.9
179.7
63.9
61.8
137.6
61.8
63.9
90.0
63.9
61.9
90.0
61.9
56.1
90.0
56.1
54.7
97.1
54.7
51.8
159.9
51.8
*
50.6
118.4
50.6
*
50.3
90.0
50.3
*
49.0
198.9
49.0
*
69.6
59.3
35.4
*
81.3
71.8
50.6
*
80.4
69.0
48.9
*
81.5
78.7
58.8
81.2
77.9
57.2
71.9
99.8
64.2
70.1
100.3
62.2
70.6
94.0
62.9
66.4
103.4
63.2
64.8
94.8
60.4
65.2
83.0
55.1
59.5
94.3
59.5
51.5
72.5
50.2
*
53.9
80.6
53.9

Examination of Table 3-4 reveals a number of bolt stress values reported as 200.0. These data
represent cases where the extrapolated bolt stresses are in excess of 200 ksi. When this occurred,
a value of 200 ksi was reported instead.
In summary, finite element analyses were performed for all flanges of interest from 1/2 up to
24 inch sizes in all available classes. The limiting preload values for bolt membrane stress, bolt
membrane plus bending stress, flange plastic strain, gasket outer ring plastic strain, and flange
rotation were all evaluated and are summarized in Table 3-4. Selection of bolt preloads
appropriate for use with each of these flanges is discussed in Section 4 of this report.
3-19
Blank page
4
RECOMMENDED GASKETS AND BOLT PRELOAD
STRESSES
This section combines the work in Sections 2 and 3 to recommend the style and filler for the
spiral-wound gaskets of a single manufacturer and to develop recommended bolt preload
stresses. As previously noted, this information applies to gaskets of a single manufacturer that
are widely used in nuclear plants in the United States. The work might be expanded to cover
other vendor products in the future.
4.1
Recommended Gasket Filler Material
EdF testing summarized in Section 2 and Table 2-2 confirms that flexible-graphite filled gaskets
have better leak-tightness, less stress-relaxation (creep), and more springback than either
asbestos or mica-graphite filled gaskets. It also requires similar bolt preload stresses to achieve
full compression. For these reasons, flexible-graphite filler is preferred over asbestos and micagraphite. However, the testing (Figure 2-6 and Figure 16 of Appendix B) showed that flexiblegraphite filled gaskets are more susceptible to buckling in the case of gaskets with outer rings
only.
4.2
Recommended Gasket Style
It is recommended that gaskets with inner and outer rings be used for most ANSI B16.5 flanged
joint applications. There are several reasons for this recommendation:
ANSI B16.20 requires inner and outer rings on the following sizes and pressure classes of
gaskets:
Class 900
Class 1500
Class 2500
NPS 24 and larger

NPS 12 and larger
NPS 4 and larger
ANSI B16.20 recommends that the user specify inner rings on all gaskets where experience
has shown inward buckling of the gasket. Figure 3-10 of EPRI report TR-111472 [1]
indicates that inner edge buckling has occurred on many spiral-wound gaskets.
The EdF testing outlined in Section 2 has shown that some gaskets with the preferred
flexible-graphite filler might buckle on the inner edge.
The EdF testing outlined in Section 2 has shown that gaskets with flexible-graphite filler and
inner and outer rings have less leakage for the same preload than gaskets with the same filler
and outer rings only. This is the case even when no buckling of the inner edge occurs.
4-1

Recommended Gaskets and Bolt Preload Stresses
The EdF testing outlined in Section 2 shows that gaskets with inner and outer rings have
greater springback than gaskets with outer rings only.
Previous work reported in EPRI TR-111472 [1] has shown that inner rings can prevent
crushing of gaskets for the case of four bolt flanges where the outer ring does not adequately
center the gasket (such that the edge of the raised face can come down on the live portion of
the gasket rather than the outer ring).
Finally, inner rings can help prevent crushing of gaskets in cases where the bolt preload
stresses are high and the gasket stiffness is low.
There are several potential reasons for not wanting to use gaskets with inner and outer rings.
Gaskets with inner and outer rings are more expensive than gaskets with outer rings only.
However, for nuclear plants where the cost of leakage can be high, the additional cost should
be warranted.
Some utilities consider changing from outer ring gaskets to inner/outer ring gaskets to be a
design change. However, most utilities that have addressed this issue have concluded that the
gaskets can be used interchangeably for ANSI B16.5 flanged joints and have written this into
their procedures.
In some cases involving thin wall pipe, standard dimension inner rings can protrude into the
flow stream. Using standard flange dimensions for Class 150 and 300 flanges, and assuming
that the inner bores of all flanges of Class 400 and higher are sized for a minimum Schedule
80 pipe, protrusion into the flow stream is only a concern for 1/2 and 3/4 size flanges in
Schedules 150 and 300. For 1/2 inch size flanges, the ring can protrude a nominal
0.030 inches into the flow stream. For 3/4 inch size flanges, the inner ring can protrude a
nominal 0.005 inches into the flow stream. If this poses a problem then inner rings should not
be used for these gaskets.
Finally, there is evidence for a few pipe sizes and pressure classes that the inner rings are so
narrow that the inner rings themselves might buckle. This phenomenon is reported in a paper
by Mueller of Exxon Research and Engineering Co. [11]. The Exxon recommendation was to
size inner rings for Class 900 to Class 2500 flanges based on Schedule 80, rather than
Schedule 30/40, pipe. As shown in Table 3-2, utilities are unlikely to use thin wall pipe with
Class 900 to Class 2500 flanges and, therefore, it should be acceptable to specify inner rings
for these pipe classes based on Schedule 80 pipe dimensions.
In summary, spiral-wound gaskets with flexible-graphite filler and inner and outer rings should
be specified for all ANSI B16.5 flanged joints except for the following four sizes where the inner
rings might protrude into the flow stream.
1/2 inch
3/4 inch
1/2 inch
3/4 inch
Class 150
Class 150
Class 300
Class 300
Inner rings of gaskets for pressure classes 900 and above should be sized for schedule 80 pipe
size.
4-2

4.3
Recommended Bolt Preload Stress
There are two basic approaches to selecting bolt preload stress for ANSI B16.5 raised-face
flanges with spiral-wound gaskets. The first approach is to select one preload stress level that can
be used for all flange sizes and pressure classes. The second approach is to allow each flange size
and pressure class to have its own optimum preload stress. Both of these options are covered
below.
It should be noted that the following recommendations are based on the extensive, but still not
comprehensive, EdF gasket test data. This information is significantly better than what has been
previously available.
4.3.1 Single Preload Stress Level for All Flange Sizes and Pressure Classes
Figure 4-1 shows a plot of the fraction of the samples from the gasket testing and finite element
analyses that reach their acceptance criteria at any of the Code allowable pressure and
temperature conditions analyzed, as a function of the bolt preload stress. These data show the
following:
A bolt preload stress of 52.5 ksi, as currently recommended by EPRI TR-111472 [1], results
in 85-95% of all flexible-graphite filled gaskets tested reaching 90% of full gasket
compression. Ninety percent of full gasket compression represents essentially the mid-point
of the ANSI B16.20 specified gasket compression. The figure also shows that much higher
bolt stresses would be required for 100% of the gaskets to achieve 90% compression.
At 52.5 ksi bolt preload stress, about 18% of the flange sizes and pressure classes will have
bolt membrane plus bending stresses exceeding 3Sm (yield strength). A review of the data in
Table 3-4 shows that these flanges are primarily limited to small diameter (<2.5 inch) socket
and welding neck flanges in the 150 and 300 pound pressure classes, and to larger diameter
14-24 inch flanges in the 150 to 400 pound classes. While these bending stresses are higher
than desired, there is a tradeoff between a small amount of bolt bending and having sufficient
preload to ensure a tight joint. Because the bolt bending is inherently self-limiting, the higher
52.5 ksi preload stress is considered acceptable. However, users should be aware that these
bolts might have sufficient distortion that they must be replaced after each use.
At 52.5 ksi bolt preload stress, several flanges at the smaller and larger diameters have
maximum strains higher than the conservative 1% plastic strain criteria set for the analysis.
In several cases, the preload stress would have to be reduced to 35 ksi to limit the strain to
1%.
There are three cases involving the 24 inch Class 300 flange and the 20 and 24 inch Class
400 flanges where the 52.5 ksi preload stress results in the flange rotation causing more than
0.015 inch separation of the gasket inner edge. The Class 400 flanges exceed this limit by
only a small percentage, while for the 24 inch Class 300 case, the separation at the inner edge
is computed to be 0.023 inches. This separation will result in this flange size and class having
less margin for out-of-flatness than the others.
4-3

1.0
Previous EPRI M ax (60 ksi)
0.9
Previous EPRI Normal (52.5 ksi)

90% Gasket Compression
Bolt 3Sm
0.8
Bolt 2Sm
Fraction of Samples
0.7
0.6
Flange
Rotation
1% Flange Strain
2% Gasket Ring Strain
0.5
0.4
0.3
B lt
Bolt
Yield
Strength
0.2
0.1
0.0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 110 120
Bolt Preload Stress (ksi)

Figure 4-1
Combined Results of Gasket Testing and Finite Element Analysis
In summary, 52.5 ksi is considered a reasonable compromise target if one preload stress is to be
used for all flanges. The only detectable consequences should be a small amount of localized bolt
yielding in bending for some low pressure class flanges, and plastic stresses greater than 1% for
several of the smaller and larger diameter flanges. This is considered acceptable within the spirit
of Appendix XII to Section III of the ASME Code and is clearly within the preload stresses
previously recommended by other respected sources [1]. It is further noted that these analyses
have been performed for the minimum specified yield strengths for A105 and A193 Code B7
materials and the actual strength will be somewhat higher than the minimum.
4-4

Therefore, if one preload stress is to be used for all ANSI B16.5 flanges with A193 Grade B7
bolts and spiral-wound gaskets with inner and outer stop rings, then 52.5 ksi is a reasonable
compromise between gasket compression and flange strength considerations. (Note: 52.5 ksi is
midway between 45 ksi and 60 ksi so that bolt torques can be taken as the average of torques
given in standard tables at 45 ksi and 60 ksi stress.)
4.3.2 Preload Optimized for Each Flange Size and Pressure Class
As shown in Figure 4-1, it is not possible to select a single bolt preload stress that will compress
all gaskets to near full compression yet maintain all flange stresses, strains, and deflections
within the established conservative criteria. An alternative approach would be to use the test and
analysis data in Sections 2 and 3 to optimize the bolt preload stress for each size and pressure
class of flange to better match the experimentally determined gasket load-deflection
characteristics and the analytically determined flange and bolting structural characteristics.
Figures 4-2 through 4-8 are plots of the finite element analysis results for all of the flange sizes
and pressure classes. These figures show the allowable bolt preload stress for each of the
structural acceptance criteria and the lower bound bolt preload stress for each flange size and
class. Superimposed on these figures are the bolt preload stresses found by the EdF testing to
produce 90% of full compression for flexible-graphite filled gaskets. The combined test and
analysis results in these figures suggest the following:
For most cases, a bolt stress of 52.5 ksi provides a good compromise between the bolt
preload stress required to fully compress the gaskets and the bolt preload stress that results in
exceeding the conservative acceptance criteria established for the flanges.
A review of the data suggests that it might be desirable to limit the bolt preload stresses to
about 40 ksi for flanges 1 inch NPS and less in pressure classes 150, 300, 1500, and 2500,
and for 24 inch NPS in pressure class 300. This will avoid significant bolt yielding and will
maintain the flange strains and rotations within the conservative acceptance criteria.
There are a few remaining flange sizes and pressure classes where a preload stress of 52.5 ksi
can cause a very small amount of localized bolt yielding and additional flange yielding, but
these conditions are not considered significant enough to warrant lowering the recommended
preload stress.
There will be some Class 150 and Class 300 gaskets where the recommended preload
stresses are not adequate to ensure that all gaskets are 90% compressed. This is unfortunate
but, again, it is not considered warranted to increase the preload further to ensure full
compression for all gaskets.
Finally, it is possible that the bolt preload stresses could be reduced somewhat for the Class
1500 and Class 2500 flanges that have a large bolt area relative to gasket area. However,
there is no test data for most of these gaskets; these are typically among the most important
flanges where leakage can cause significant problems but the recommended 52.5 ksi is well
within conservative stress analysis acceptance criteria and previous industry
recommendations. For these reasons, lower preload stresses are not recommended for these
higher pressure class flanges, provided that the gaskets have inner and outer rings as
previously recommended.
4-5

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm
Flange 1% Plastic Strain

EdF Gasket Tests (CGI)
Flange Rotation
EdF Gasket Tests (CG)
Lower Bound Flange Limit
Recommended Preload Stress

109 ksi
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
small amounts of bolt and additional
flange yielding is considered
acceptable
20
10
0
0
12
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-2
Recommended Preload Stress for Class 150 Flanges
4-6
16
20
24

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm
Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
12
16
20
24
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-3
4-7

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm

Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
12
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-4
4-8
16
20
24

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm

Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
same gaskets as
1" Class 300
30
20
10
0
0
12
16
20
24
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-5
4-9

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm
Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
12
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-6
4-10
16
20
24

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm
Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
12
16
20
24
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-7
4-11

Bolt 2Sm
Bolt 3Sm
Flange Rotation
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
12
Flange Size (in.)
Figure 4-8
4-12
16
20
24

Table 4-1 is a final tabulation of the recommended preload stresses for each pipe size and
pressure class.
Table 4-1
Summary of Recommended Preload Stresses
Pipe Size
(NPS)
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/4
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24
150
40
40
40
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
300
40
40
40
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
40

400
600
900
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
1500
40
40
40
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
2500
40
40
40
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
52.5
= Gaskets not supplied in these sizes and pressure classes.
4.4
Comments
It is unfortunate that the low pressure class (150-300) flexible-graphite filled gaskets, which
require the highest bolt preload stresses to achieve near full compression, are matched up with
the ANSI B16.5 flanges having the least ability to accommodate the higher bolt preload stresses.
This situation is a result of many of these gaskets being too stiff to meet the load-deflection
requirements of ANSI B16.20. It is desirable for the manufacturer to work at bringing the loaddeflection characteristics of these gaskets into conformance with the ANSI B16.20 requirements
in the future so that a good technical case can be made to reduce the recommended preload
stresses, or provide greater margin against leakage for the preload stresses recommended above.
4-13
Blank page
5
REFERENCES
1. Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: August
1999. TR-111472.
2. ASME/ANSI B16.5-1988, Pipe Flanges and Fittings, American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, 1988.
3. ASME B16.20-1993, Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges - Ring-Joint, Spiral-Wound, and
Jacketed, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1993.
4. J. P. Vignaud and J. Jenco, Variability in Compression and Leak-Tightness Characteristics
of Spiral-Wound Gaskets, Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Sealing
Technology and Plant Leakage Reduction (ICSTPLR-1999), EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: November
1999. p. 30-1, TR-113859.
5. A. Menard, C. Merieux, and J. Vignaud, EdF/EPRI - Spiral-Wound Gasket Study Synthesis of
the Leak-Tightness Tests, Electricit de France: March 2000. Report HT-21/00/017/A.
6. ANSYS Engineering Analysis System. Revision 5.6, ANSYS Inc.
7. Fastener Standards. Sixth Edition, Industrial Fastener Institute, 1988.
8. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code - Section III, Rules for Construction of Nuclear
Power Plant Components, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1995 Edition
through 1997 Addenda.
9. Good Bolting Practices, A Reference Manual for Nuclear Power Plant Personnel, Volume 1:
Large Bolt Manual. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 1987. Report NP-5067.
10. Offshore Pipelines. Canadian Standard CAN/CSA-Z187-M87, July, 1987.
11. R. T. Mueller, Recent Buckling Experiences with Spiral-Wound Flexible Graphite Filled
Gaskets, ASME PVP-Volume 326, Computer Technology: Applications and Methodology.
5-1
Blank page
A
EDF PAPER: VARIABILITY IN COMPRESSION AND
LEAK-TIGHTNESS CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRALWOUND GASKETS [4]
30
VARIABILITY IN COMPRESSION
AND LEAK-TIGHTNESS CHARACTERISTICS
OF SPIRAL-WOUND GASKETS
Jean-Cyprien P. Vignaud
Research-Engineer - Mechanics and Component Technology Branch
Research and Development Division - ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
Site des Renardires - 77818 MORET-SUR-LOING Cedex - FRANCE
John M. Jenco
Senior Project Manager - Plant Technology Program
EPRI - 1300 Harris Boulevard - CHARLOTTE, NC 28262 - USA
A-1

EdF Paper: Variability in Compression and Leak-Tightness Characteristics of Spiral-Wound Gaskets [4]
Abstract
The purpose of the tests was to determine the load-deflection and leakage characteristics of a
representative range of spiral-wound gaskets typically encountered in power plants and other
industries. Using a 5,000 kN hydraulic press and helium mass spectrometer, spiral-wound gasket
leak-tightness and mechanical behavior have been studied during compression up to a bolt stress
of 60 ksi at intervals of 10 ksi (including stress relaxation during the six compression stages),
and, after that, during the unloading. Several gasket sizes (1, 4, 10, and 16), classes (150,
300, 900, and 2,500 pounds), and filler material (asbestos, flexible graphite, and flexible graphite
plus mica) were tested for gaskets with and without an inner ring, under a helium pressure of
1.035 MPa (150 psi). This paper indicates the wide scatter band, relative to compressibility and
leak-tightness performance (during loading and unloading), that is possible for spiral-wound
gaskets. It shows the interest to compress the gasket up to the metallic stop ring and to obtain
and maintain the best tightness behavior.
Introduction
The goal of the testing was to determine the characteristics of the different types of spiral-wound
gaskets and to determine the minimum bolt stress required to ensure that each different type of
gasket is compressed to the point where it should not leak. In fact, ASME B16.20 defines certain
gasket dimensional and performance criteria that contribute to proper assembly of bolted flange
connections. Nonetheless, joint leakage sometimes occurs in thermal power plants and other
industries, such as process and petrochemical, where spiral-wound gaskets are used to ensure the
tightness of piping system flanges.
Most often, these incidents are attributed to poor installation practices, such as piping
misalignment, improper fastener lubrication, galling, poor flange surface conditions, and more.
However, recent research conducted by Electricit de France (EDF) for EPRI (Electric Power
Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA. USA) seems to indicate that a significant contributor to the
root cause of leakage may actually be insufficient gasket compression, due to an unexpected
diversity in gasket compression characteristics that are generally considered identical by endusers referring to the Code.
Independent systematic testing by EDF of gasket performance characteristics compared with
values proposed by the Code consisted of a large matrix of spiral-wound gaskets in various sizes,
pressure classes, configurations, and filler materials. For each combination of these attributes,
mechanical compression and leak-tightness tests were performed. In particular, researchers
wanted to observe gasket mechanical behavior when the gaskets were compressed to the Coderecommended bolt stress of 30 ksi and higher to establish the actual bolt stress required to
achieve full gasket compression. Researchers also wanted to determine whether gaskets
considered identical according to ASME B16.20 indeed have similar performance, both
mechanically and in terms of actual leak-tightness.
Fast mechanical tests were performed before beginning the leak-tightness tests of about 90
spiral-wound gaskets.
A-2

Test Equipment
For the mechanical tests, several sets of anvils were used to compress the gaskets according to
individual gasket size requirements. For the leak-tightness tests, two leak test moulds
(Figure A-1) permit gasket compression and collection of any helium leakage (these moulds are
more complex to use than the mechanical anvils). The anvils and leak test moulds surfaces are
hard enough to remain undamaged by the tests. Their surface finish is equal to 250 AARH
(Ra=6.4), equivalent to standard flange face finishes defined in ASME B 16.5.
To perform the testing program, EDF employed a 5,000 kN hydraulic press capable of
controlling (electronically) either the applied load or the gasket thickness (Figure A-2). The
compressive load is measured by one of two dynamometers (500 kN or 5,000 kN). The gasket
thickness is measured using LVDT transducers. Three transducers are positioned equidistant at
120 around the gasket to measure the gasket compression. During the mechanical tests, the
outer stop ring expansion is also examined using four additional LVDT transducers measuring
two perpendicular gasket diameters.
-12
-1
A helium mass spectrometer is used to measure leakage rates ranging from 10 to 10 g/s.
-4
Practically, however, leakage above 10 g/s is considered too great to continue testing. The
helium pressure of 1.035 MPa (150 psi) is controlled using a 1.5 MPa pressure transducer.
A HP computer is used to calculate the set-up value of the press (loading, stabilization steps
every 10 ksi, final unloading), and to record the different data during the tests every 4 seconds
for the mechanical tests and every 40 seconds for the leak-tightness tests, resulting in 2,000 to
3,000 records per test.
Test Protocols
Mechanical Test
After the gasket is placed between the anvils, the compressive load on the gasket is increased in
steps corresponding to 10 ksi increments in bolt stress. As each increment is reached, the gasket
thickness is held constant for 10 minutes to permit measurement of the gasket relaxation. The
process is repeated until the gasket has reached full compression, usually around 60 ksi
equivalent bolt stress, as indicated in ASME B16.20. After 10 minutes, the force on the gasket is
relaxed to zero and the amount of springback is measured. Due to the short duration (2 hours) of
the mechanical tests, 4 to 5 gaskets per day could be tested.
Leak-Tightness Test
The duration for leak-tightness tests are about 18 hours each. Therefore, only one gasket per day
could be tested. Before the first 10 ksi is reached during the initial compression cycle, the gasket
is pressurized with helium to 1.035 MPa (150 psi). This pressure is maintained to the end of the
test. Otherwise, the process is very similar to that used in the previously described mechanical
tests, but dead slow. Gasket thickness is held in compression upon reaching each increment for
A-3

about one hour, as opposed to approximately 10 minutes for each increment in the mechanical
testing. During this test, the gasket compression characteristics (load versus thickness,
relaxation) are also recorded; however, it is not possible to measure the outer ring expansion.
Test Matrix
The test matrix included gasket sizes of 1, 4, 10, and 16 inches, and pressure classes of 150, 300,
900, and 2,500 pounds. In addition, each gasket combination was tested with and without an
inner ring, and with one of each of the following filler materials: asbestos, flexible graphite, and
flexible graphite plus mica. However, due to load limitations of the hydraulic press (5,000 kN), it
was not possible to test the 10/2,500, 16/900, and 16/2,500 gaskets.
Mechanical Behavior Results
Before working with the recorded data, different adjustments were to be done, first of the gasket
deflection to take into account the flexibility of both the anvils and the leak tightness mould and
then of the compressive load to deduce the hydrostatic end load due to the helium internal
pressure.
Research conducted by EDF indicates that gasket mechanical behavior can be very different
from one gasket to another and impossible to predict (Figure A-3). Without doubt, it depends
more on gasket manufacturing factors, such as the physical characteristics of the metal windings
and filler (thickness, width, tension) or perhaps the clearance between the spiral gasket itself and
the compression stop rings, than on the gasket size, pressure class, or filler material. Testing has
clearly shown that sometimes the asbestos-filled gasket is the most difficult to compress, while
in other cases, it may be the one which is graphite-filled.
Likewise, the behavior of two gaskets from the same manufacturing lot may evidence greater
consistency in performance. But, if gaskets are from different lots often two identical gaskets
behave quite differently; one of them could need two or more times the stress of the other in
order to be compressed to the same thickness (Figure A-4).
Less than one-half the gaskets tested could be compressed to the outer compression stop ring at
30 ksi equivalent bolt stress. Testing confirmed that an equivalent bolt stress of 60 ksi was
necessary to compress the majority of gaskets with the exception, for all the diameters, of the
class 150, and the class 300 to a lesser extent. In each of these latter cases, full compression often
required an equivalent bolt stress in excess of 100 ksi.
Evaluation of test results noted that flexible graphite-filled gaskets without an inner ring are
easier to compress than the same gaskets with an inner ring. This is because the inner ring serves
to limit inward radial movement of the gasket during compression, forcing the gasket filler to
fully consolidate more quickly. The reverse often appears to be true for flexible graphite-filled
gaskets to which mica and various corrosion inhibitors have been added. Presently, results with
asbestos-filled gaskets are insufficient to make a conclusive determination (but it seems that
gaskets without an inner ring seem to be easier to compress than the same with inner ring - as
flexible graphite-filled gaskets).
A-4

The relaxation of the gasket stress during the stabilization steps is important for the asbestosfilled gaskets and the flexible graphite-filled gaskets to which mica and various corrosion
inhibitors have been added. The stress relaxation of the flexible graphite-filled-gaskets is always
the smallest - the best. We know that the stress relaxation already occurs during the compression
stage itself. Since the compression rate during the leak tightness test is 20 to 30 times slower than
the compression rate during the mechanical test, so the stress relaxation during the stabilization
steps is less important for the leak-tightness tests - even after one hour (Figure A-5).
During the compression of the gasket, several external metallic rings suddenly buckle as a
conical washer, or a Chinese hat (Figure A-6). This is not important, it seems. On the contrary,
buckling of the metal windings and filler material is often noted on the inner diameter of
graphite-filled gaskets without an inner stop ring, especially for the gasket sizes 10 in. and 16 in.
It was not usually possible to observe the mechanical point at which the buckling phenomenon
occurred in the gasket compression curve, but it changes severely the subsequent tightness
characteristics.
Leak-Tightness Behavior Results

During Loading (Tightening Curves)
When the full compression is reached, the paint on the external metallic ring is sometimes able to
procure an excellent leak-tightness, better than the other usual filler materials - at least at room
temperature only, alas! Some adjustments of the results had to be done to avoid this false
tightness. To compare the leak-tightness of different gasket sizes (1, 4, 10, and 16), the leak
rate (in g/s of helium) was divided by the (theoretical) outside diameter of the gasket sealing
surface. This produces a result of g/s.mmOD as a unit.
The leakage depends on the filler material (Figure A-7). So we often have tried to compare the
results for a given class, or a given size, each time for the same filler material. Specifically, the
tightness is always better for graphite-filled gaskets - except when buckling occurs. We can see
(Figure A-8) the typical degradation of the tightness with the bolt stress for the classes 300# and
900# gaskets filled with flexible graphite and without inner ring. Buckling occurs more easily
with the class 2,500 gaskets too.
The gaskets with inner ring usually need higher stresses to be compressed than the gaskets
without inner ring, but their leak-tightness is not better for all that. On the contrary, the leaktightness of gaskets without inner ring seems sometimes slightly better (Figures A-7 and A-9).
The gasket leak rates (under the same pressure of 150 psi of helium) of the higher classes are
better than the leak rates of the lower classes (Figure A-9). This is a noteworthy point, as the
high class gaskets have to seal high pressures! In fact, the width of the spiral-wound part of the
gasket increases with the class, thereby increasing the surface area and, therefore, making it more
difficult for the fluid to pass through it. For this reason it was interesting to compare the leaktightness of the gaskets versus the gasket stress, and not versus the bolt stress. We can see
(Figures A-10 and A-11) that for the flexible graphite-filled gaskets, the characteristics are less
scattered (about two decades only!). It is not the case with asbestos-filled gaskets which offer a
A-5

broad range of variability in the gasket leak-tightness. The leakrate of the gaskets filled with
graphite plus mica is astonishing.
During Unloading (Recovery)
It is not easy to compare the results of unloading characteristics, because they depend greatly on
the loading characteristics which are very scattered, as reported before. Yet, we must not forget
that in operation the gasket is more or less unloaded and that it works on unloading curves.
An example of typical gasket recovery characteristics (Figure A-12) shows that the rates of the
tightness loss (the slope of the curves which are read from the right side to the left) are very
similar for the different gaskets. So, to obtain the greatest gasket recovery, we have to start with
a leakrate as low as possible. Two means for this: use flexible graphite-filled gaskets - with inner
ring to avoid buckling (the tightness is better with graphite than with other material fillers), and
compress the gasket up to its full compression (the compression improves the tightness).
Conclusion
The mechanical characteristics as well as the leak-tightness performance of spiral-wound gaskets
have been found to contain a great deal of scatter. Temperature or pressure transients and time
could significantly change the gasket sealing characteristics, perhaps further increasing the
scattering. As such, it is very difficult to get clear variation laws from the tests we have done.
The mechanical characteristics are important to properly tension the gasketed joint, and they
determine its future behavior during operations. For this reason, the amount of scatter
encountered during the testing is unfortunate. Relative gasket leak-tightness is also an important
value to know when the medium is corrosive, inflammable, explosive, or otherwise dangerous.
The results seem to indicate that asbestos-filled spiral-wound gaskets or those flexible graphite
gaskets plus mica and used with standard flanges may not be the best gasket of choice for low
pressure classes (150 and 300) as their bolt stress may be too low to obtain suitable gasket
deflection and a good leak-tightness level under most circumstances. Flexible graphite-filled
gaskets with an inner ring and compressed up to the full compression offer the best
characteristics.
A-6

Figure A-1
The 320 mm Mould Used for the 1 and 4 Gaskets Leak Tightness Tests
A-7

Figure A-2
The 5,000 kN Press Used for the Tests (Here, With the 10 and 16 Anvils)
A-8

Figure A-3
Class 150 Pounds Gaskets - Scattering of the Compression Characteristics
A-9

Figure A-4
Example of Differences Between So-Called Identical Gaskets
A-10

Figure A-5
Gasket Stress Relaxation During the Mechanical and Leak Tightness Tests
Figure A-6
Gasket Bending, Like a Belleville Washer
A-11

Figure A-7
The Leak Tightness Is Better With the Gaskets Filled With Flexible Graphite
Figure A-8
The Leak Tightness Can No More Be Improved if Buckling Occurs
Figure A-9
The Higher the Class of the Gasket, the Better Its Leak Tightness Is
A-12

Figure A-10
The Curves of the Leak Rate Versus the Gasket Stress Are Less Scattered Than the Same
Curves Versus the Bolt Stress (Compare With the Previous Figure)
Figure A-11
Scattering of the Leak Tightness Characteristics
A-13

Figure A-12
Typical Gasket Recovery Characteristics. The Recover toonot Only the Leak Tightness
Is Better With the Gaskets Filled With Flexible Graphite
A-14
B
EDF REPORT: SPIRAL-WOUND GASKET STUDY
SYNTHESIS OF LEAK-TIGHTNESS TESTS [5]
B-1

EdF Report: Spiral-Wound Gasket Study Synthesis of Leak-Tightness Tests [5]
B-2

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Bolt Preload Stress for ANSI Raised-Face

Flanges Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets

Bolt Preload Stress for ANSI

Final Report, May 2000

EPRI Project Manager

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITIES

Diameters of 1, 4, 10, and 16 inches

Pressure classes of 150, 300, 900, and 2500 pounds

Filler materials of asbestos, mica-graphite, and flexible-graphite

Outer ring and inner/outer ring designs

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 1-1

Bolt Preload Stress.................................................................................................... 1-1

Factors Affecting Optimum Bolt Preload Stress ......................................................... 1-2

Recent EPRI Bolt Preload Stress Recommendations ................................................ 1-3

Purpose of Current Reassessment............................................................................ 1-3

2 MINIMUM REQUIRED PRELOAD STRESS BASED ON ELECTRICIT DE FRANCE

Background ............................................................................................................... 2-1

Purpose of EdF Gasket Tests.................................................................................... 2-2

EdF Test Reports ...................................................................................................... 2-2

Matrix of Gaskets Tested........................................................................................... 2-2

Test Equipment and Procedure ................................................................................. 2-4

Major Test Results .................................................................................................... 2-6

2.6.1 Tabular Data Summary......................................................................................... 2-6

Purpose of Finite Element Stress Analyses ............................................................... 3-1

Parametric Finite Element Analysis Model................................................................. 3-3

Structural Model and Material Properties................................................................... 3-9

Gasket Model and Material Properties..................................................................... 3-11

Acceptance Criteria ................................................................................................. 3-12

3.6.1 Bolt Membrane Stress ........................................................................................ 3-13

EPRI Licensed Material

3.6.2 Bolt Membrane Plus Bending Stress................................................................... 3-13

Summary of Results ................................................................................................ 3-14

4 RECOMMENDED GASKETS AND BOLT PRELOAD STRESSES ..................................... 4-1

Recommended Gasket Filler Material........................................................................ 4-1

Recommended Gasket Style ..................................................................................... 4-1

Recommended Bolt Preload Stress........................................................................... 4-3

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

Bolt Preload Stress

bolt preload stress (psi)

EPRI Licensed Material

Factors Affecting Optimum Bolt Preload Stress

As described in Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets (EPRI

EPRI Licensed Material

Increasing Bolt Preload Stress

Recent EPRI Bolt Preload Stress Recommendations

Assembling Bolted Connections Using Spiral-Wound Gaskets (EPRI TR-111472) [1],

Purpose of Current Reassessment

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

EPRI Licensed Material

Purpose of EdF Gasket Tests

EdF Test Reports

Matrix of Gaskets Tested

EPRI Licensed Material

Flange Pressure Class

= Gasket sizes and pressure classes tested by EdF.

EPRI Licensed Material