Optimizing Dwell Time for Bolted Flanged Joint Installations

Efficient and effective bolted flange joint installations are pivotal for minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity in industrial plants. The ASME PCC-1-2019 Tightening Method recommends a minimum of four hours of dwell time before retightening the bolts to restore short-term creep relaxation and embedment losses. Research has shown that dwell time, which is defined as the period between initial torque and a post-installation re-torque, is a crucial interval for gasket performance optimization. However, given the many variables that impact flange joint reliability, particularly the differences between various gasket technologies, natural questions concerning dwell time arise. Can this four-hour installation dwell time be reduced without compromising gasket performance? Is four hours the optimal amount of time to wait to retorque, regardless of gasket selection? Therefore, there is value in investigating the process to seek answers to the previously highlighted questions, and others like them.

Have you read this article? Click the link to view in full.

Previous articleSteel Turning Grade Is Designed for High-Feed Roughing
Next articleJoin Us at Fugitive Emissions Summit Americas Conference & Expo!
Shopia Ketheeswararajah
Shopia Ketheeswararajah is a feature editor contributing to Pump Engineer, Stainless steel World Americas, Hose and Coupling World, and other related print & online media.