Flange leaks in certain fluids can cause which of the following issues?

Flange leaks in certain fluids can cause which of the following issues?

• A. Gasket failure
• B. Flange warping
• C. Bolts to crack and corrode
• D. Piping to rupture

Answer: (C)

Leaks expose the flange bolts directly to the process fluid and the surrounding environment. In services with corrosive or aggressive fluids, especially at high temperature, bolts can suffer rapid corrosion at the thread roots and under the head, and under sustained loading they may crack due to stress corrosion cracking. Once bolts crack or corrode, the clamping force that holds the flange together diminishes, increasing the chance of further leakage and eventual joint failure. This makes bolts cracking and corroding the most direct and likely consequence of a flange leak in those fluids. Gasket issues or flange deformation can occur, but the bolt deterioration specifically caused by exposure to the leaking fluid is the primary failure mechanism to watch for.

Leaks expose the flange bolts directly to the process fluid and the surrounding environment. In services with corrosive or aggressive fluids, especially at high temperature, bolts can suffer rapid corrosion at the thread roots and under the head, and under sustained loading they may crack due to stress corrosion cracking. Once bolts crack or corrode, the clamping force that holds the flange together diminishes, increasing the chance of further leakage and eventual joint failure. This makes bolts cracking and corroding the most direct and likely consequence of a flange leak in those fluids. Gasket issues or flange deformation can occur, but the bolt deterioration specifically caused by exposure to the leaking fluid is the primary failure mechanism to watch for.