Lead filled Blind Flanges

[oilgas80]

Hi Guys,

What's the advantage of lead filled blind flanges?.

Is it mandatory to provide lead in blind flanges?

Thanking you.

regards,

oilgas80.

 

[JStephen]

I never heard of a lead filled blind flange, and a google search for "lead filled blind flange" turns up zero hits.

In the applications I'm familiar with, blind flanges are usually solid steel, cast iron, or ductile iron (CI and DI are in water works service).

 

[TD2K]

Lead filled blind flanges is a new term for me also. As JStephen said, blind flanges in my experience are always fabricated of similar material as your piping system.

 

[pennpoint]

Melting alloy fuse plugs are used on refrigeration systems and hermetic compressors, but I cannot imagine this practice used in a flange. I need more information.

pennpoint

 

[pennpoint]

I wanted to add in my previous post; this question might be better answered on Forum #794 Boiler and Pressure Vessel engineering.

pennpoint

 

[quark]

I have seen lead gaskets used between tube sheet and end domes of condensers and evaporators of chillers. This may be to take care of irregular mating surface profiles. But for blind flanges, this is first time for me.

 

[JStephen]

I've heard of lead containers being used for some sort of acid storage, but haven't actually seen it done. And that might have been flasks, not anything large. And that might have been back before they invented plastic, too.

Seems like I've read that lead will actually recrystalize and creep at room temperature- not what you'd want in a gasket, I wouldn't think?