The bolted connection - seal failure analysis and corrective action

摘要

As was discussed in our column in the February issue of Valve World, preventive and corrective actions are needed to minimize seal failures and subsequent down times. In this article, possible causes, checks and remedial actions are discussed. In general, seal failure shows itself as one of three relatively distinct failure modes; an immediate or sudden 'catastrophic' usually gross leak also known as a "blow out", a slow 'progressive' or chronic leak or a 'transient' leak that may occur for a time then self seal and may subsequently reoccur.