Loctite/Sealant Use on Raised Face Flanges 3

[Arsalan11182]

Can I use a flange sealant such as Loctite/birkosit on raised face flanges along with a gasket? Since the raised face will be covered by the gasket itself, I am not sure if the sealant would be of any use. Please comment

 

[LittleInch]

Can you - yes

Should you - No

The gasket is your sealing component. Use it properly and thighten the flange properly and it won't leak.

I've never heard or used any sealing material like this on a flange.

locktite is normally for bolts to stop them moving in high vibration environments.

Why are you asking this?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[moltenmetal]

A sealant (such as an anaerobic pipe sealant normally used on threaded joints) may be used in a pinch to pan out some minor scratching on flange faces leading to small but annoying gas leaks beyond the ability of the gasket material to cope with. It's a poor and generally temporary solution and will only work if the sealant is a) compatible with the process fluid b) operating within its design temperature limits and c) the scratching is truly minor.

Some flanges (i.e. not B16.5 pipe flanges) are designed for use of a sealant either alone or in combination with a gasket.

The right solution for a pair of B16.5 flanges of course is to find the right gasket, torque its studs evenly in stages to develop the correct and even tension in the studs to the correct specifications, and if the joint continues to leak, find out why it's leaking and fix it. It could be leaking because of poor gasket surface finish (i.e. like the scratches I was talking about), or poor gasket selection, but for all we know it could be a result of excessive bending forces being applied to the joint etc.- in those cases, sealant will only give you a false sense of security.

 

[hacksaw]

Loctite will not work! forget it, just use you wrenches