Hi
I have a problem where by I have too catholically insulate a large diameter ASME flange from the rest of a subsea structure. The flange in question is being used purely in a structural capacity (no fluid pressure) with high bending moments being exerted through it and it's bolted array. Now I know you can get conventional flange insulation kits made from phenolic, glass reinforced epoxy etc, but my worry is I don't know if these materials are subject to creep. As the bolts in the flange will be hydraulically pre-loaded and any such creep could reduce overall bolt tension over time and hence lose joint integrity. On contacting some suppliers this information is proving difficult to come by, as we are not wanting to use these product in their conventional capacity. Therefore I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this or knows of a different product that could possibly be used to perform the same task?
I have a problem where by I have too catholically insulate a large diameter ASME flange from the rest of a subsea structure. The flange in question is being used purely in a structural capacity (no fluid pressure) with high bending moments being exerted through it and it's bolted array. Now I know you can get conventional flange insulation kits made from phenolic, glass reinforced epoxy etc, but my worry is I don't know if these materials are subject to creep. As the bolts in the flange will be hydraulically pre-loaded and any such creep could reduce overall bolt tension over time and hence lose joint integrity. On contacting some suppliers this information is proving difficult to come by, as we are not wanting to use these product in their conventional capacity. Therefore I am wondering if anyone has any experience of this or knows of a different product that could possibly be used to perform the same task?
