22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange?

| Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges

(PDF)

Written by Anup Kumar Dey ● in Pipeline,Piping Design Basics

An RTJ flange or Ring Type Joint Flange is one of the various types of flanges used widely in piping
and pipeline industries. RTJ flanges are commonly used for high-pressure and high-temperature
applications in oil field valves, pipework assemblies, refineries, high-integrity pressure vessel
joints, chemical and petrochemical plants, etc. In this article, we will explore more about RTJ
flanges.

What is an RTJ Flange?

A Ring Type Joint (RTJ) Flange is basically a machined metallic ring having a deep groove cut into
its face. Metallic RTJ gaskets sit in the groove to seal the flange pair. When the connecting bolts of
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the RTJ flanges are tightened, the gasket is compressed and the flange pair creates a leak-proof
tight seal. RTJ flanges, in general, have a raised face with the groove into the face of the flange, but
the raised face doesn’t contain the pressure similar to weld neck raised face flanges. Refer to Fig.
1, which gives an example of a typical RTJ flange assembly.
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FIg. 1: RTJ Flange Assembly

The RTJ flanges are usually preferred for Class 600 and higher ratings and/or when service
temperature exceeds 800°F (427°C).

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Characteristics of RTJ Flanges

A ring-type joint flange is substantially different from other types of flanges used in the piping and
pipeline industry. The main characteristics of an RTJ flange are:
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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

Instead of the flat composite material gaskets, RTJ flanges use a steel ring. The gasket rests on
the machined groove.
The sealing is achieved by the deformation of the soft metallic gasket which flows into the
microfine structure of the hard flange material.
RTJ flanges provide superb metal-to-metal sealing.
The raised face may be present in a ring-type joint flange but it does not contain the pressure.
However, while tightening the RTJ flanges if raised faces come in contact with each other, the
extra load is transferred to the faces which, in turn, provides the integrity of the joint during
over-tightening, vibration, and movement.
They are very easy to assemble and disassemble.

RTJ Flange Materials

Ring-type joint flanges are made from various engineering materials like

Carbon Steel
Stainless Steel
Duplex & Super Duplex Steel
Alloy Steel
Low-Temperature Carbon Steel
Copper Alloy
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Nickel Alloy
Brass
Cupro-nickel
Aluminum
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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

Titanium
Inconel
Monel
Hastelloy
Incoloy

Codes and Standards for RTJ Flanges

The design and manufacturing of RTJ flanges are governed by the following standards:

ASME B16.5 up to 24″ size.

ASME B16.47, Series A & B for sizes 26 inches through 60 inches.
MSS SP-44
API 605
EN 1092
BS 4504, BS 1560
ISO 70051
DIN2527, DIN2576, DIN2641, DIN2642, DIN2655, DIN2656, DIN2627, DIN2628, DIN2629, DIN
2631, DIN2632, DIN2635, DIN2636,DIN2637, DIN2638, DIN2673, DIN2566, DIN2573,
DIN2633, DIN2634
AWWA
ASA
GOST 12820
SABS 1123 Join us on Telegram

RTJ Flange Types

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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

Ring-type joint flanges can be classified depending on their face types and pressure classes.
Based on pressure classes, the following types of RTJ flanges are available.

150 LBS,
300 LBS,
600 LBS,
900 LBS,
1500 LBS, and
2500 LB

Specifications of Ring Type Joint Flanges

The edge (periphery) of each ring joint flange is usually marked with the letter R and the
corresponding ring groove number. RTJ flanges are specified by the following parameters:
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Flange Size (Connecting Pipe Size)

Flange material and grade
Design Standard
Pressure Class Rating (Temperature and Pressure rating)
Flange face type
Coating or Surface treatment requirements
Dimensional requirements
Application service type

RTJ Flange Dimensions

RTJ flange dimensions are usually specified in the design standard itself. For example, when the
design code is ASME B16.5, the RTJ flange dimensional tables for each pressure rating class are
provided for flanges up to 24 inches. For RTJ flange sizes exceeding 24 inches, the dimensions for
RTJ flanges are available in ASME B16.47. Join us on Telegram

So, basically, for standard flanges, the RTJ flange dimensions are fixed and do not vary from
manufacturer to manufacturer. However, Custom made RTJ flanges can also be manufactured for

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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

which the purchaser needs to specify the flange dimensions.

RTJ Blind Flange

RTJ blind flange is a solid flange used to block the flow and is used to pair with another type of RTJ
flange. The RTJ blind flange must be of the same pressure class rating.

RTJ Flange Gasket

RTJ flange gaskets are metallic sealing rings and provide reliable sealing. Ring Type Joint gaskets
provide sealing by the wedging action between the gasket and the mating flange. With the
application of pressure on the bolts, the softer gasket metal flows into the microfine structure of
the harder flange material, which creates an efficient tight seal.

Depending on the pressure-carrying capability, RTJ gaskets are available in various styles, like R,
RX, and BX styles.

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The common type of RTJ flange gasket style is style R. RTJ gaskets are manufactured based on
ASME B1620 for ASME B16.5/16.47 flanges. Style R-type RTJ gaskets are manufactured in oval

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and octagonal configurations and are designed to seal pressure up to 6,250 psi in accordance with
ASME B16.5 pressure ratings and up to 5,000 psi.

The Octagonal ring provides

higher sealing efficiency as
compared to the oval
counterpart and this is why
octagonal rings are the preferred
RTJ flange gasket.

The RX-type RTJ gaskets are

suitable for pressures up to 700
bar. In this type of RTJ flange
gasket, the outer sealing
Fig. 2: RTJ Gasket Styles surfaces make the first contact
with the flanges. RX style RTJ
gasket is interchangeable with the standard R-models.

The BX-type RTJ gasket is used for very high pressures up to 1500 bar. This style of ring joint
gasket is not interchangeable with other types and is only suited for API-type BX flanges and
grooves.

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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ring-Type Joint Flanges

The RTJ flange is one of the most efficient flanges used for high-temperature pressure lines of
process piping systems. The ring and groove design uses internal pressures to increase the sealing
capacity of the connecting flanges. With an increase in the working pressure, the sealing
performance improves. RTJ flanges are also suitable for cyclic stresses and corrosive fluids.

The main disadvantage of a ring-type joint flange is the cost due to its complex configuration and
precise machining control for both the metallic ring gasket and the ring-joint groove. Also, while
dismantling ring joint flange connections, the flange needs to be separated forcibly to release the
ring from the groove. This may call for sufficient space which limits the application of RTJ flanges
in crowded installations.

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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

Anup Kumar Dey

I am a Mechanical Engineer turned into a Piping Engineer. Currently, I work in a reputed MNC as a
Senior Piping Stress Engineer. I am very much passionate about blogging and always tried to do
unique things. This website is my first venture into the world of blogging with the aim of
connecting with other piping engineers around the world.

4 thoughts on “What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint

Flanges (PDF)”
Alireza says:
February 13, 2022 at 7:21 am
It was very interesting and useful for me .. thanks alot
Reply

Kian says:
August 7, 2022 at 4:49 am
Thank you for the useful article 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Reply

Meysam says:
September 15, 2022 at 3:21 pm
In some project RTJ flanges are selected for 600# or 900# rating but somewhere else RF
flange is selected for same rating in PMS, could you tell me how we exactly decide to use RTJ or
RF
thanks
Reply

Balachandar says:
December 10, 2022 at 11:22 am
Dear Anup kumar dey
Shall i know in which pipelines in the world using most of Ring joint gaskets are used shall we go
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and see that pipelines.in which country it was?
Iam a diploma in mechanical engineering. Iam working in Ringjoint manufacturing concern in
chennai.iam the junior executive.this is an important essential question.please email me.thanks
Reply
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22/02/2023 09:07 What is an RTJ Flange? | Ring Type Joint Flanges (PDF) – What Is Piping

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