Ring Gasket Handling and Inspection

Before Assembly
API requires that manufacturers box or wrap ring gaskets but this provides no real
assurance that they will arrive at the point of use undamaged. All ring gaskets finally
seal by coining and intimate contact mandating that the seal contact area not have
damage that will prevent continuous intimate contact after make-up and coining.

Any bruise, gouge, (dent, ding, etc.) or groove across the seal contact area may
prevent uniform coining and continuous intimate contact, resulting in leakage in the
area of damage.

Any rough handling or impact contact against hard surfaces or objects may cause
damage to a ring gasket that renders it unusable.

Keep soft iron and carbon steel ring gaskets dry to prevent rust and pitting.

Note: The plating on these ring gaskets will provide some rust
protection for a short time but any extended storage in a damp
atmosphere or wetness may destroy the usefulness of these gaskets.

Stainless steel ring gaskets forgive wet conditions.

Keep all ring gaskets in a secure area where other objects do not contact or bang
against them. Transport and handle them using care not to crush, bruise, or scar
them in any way. It is recommended to transport all ring gaskets in separate boxes
or soft padded containers.

Before installing any ring gasket (and preferably before transporting to the
installation site) inspect it carefully. Make certain the ring gasket stamped marking
agrees exactly with that called for as fitting the intended connection. Be sure no
damage exists on, or across, the seal contact surfaces; See table and Illustrations
below.

Note: Ring gaskets marked SRX or SBX have identical

measurements to RX and BX ring gaskets with the same number
designation, and they will fit the same corresponding connectors. The
"S" indicates these gaskets have vent holes to allow reliable
connector make-up underwater (subsea). API Spec 17D requires that
manufacturers use only corrosion resistant alloy as the material for
these gaskets.
 RING GASKET MARKING
ALL MARKING COLD STAMPED ON O.D.

DATE OF MANUFACTURE 1

MANUFACTURERS NAME OR LOGO

API MONOGRAM 2

RING GASKET TYPE AND NUMBER 3

MATERIAL: MARK:
SOFT IRON D-4
LOW-CARBON STEEL S-4
304 STAINLESS STEEL S-304-4
316 STAINLESS STEEL S-316-4

1 MANUFACTURER MAY USE A CODE NUMBER TO INDICATE DATE OF MANUFACTURE.

2 ONLY API LICENSEES MAY USE THE API MONOGRAM.
3 R, RX, SRX, BX, SBX FOLLOWED BY A DASH AND THE GASKET NUMBER, e.g. R-24.
NO DISTINCTIVE MARKING REQUIRED ON R RING GASKETS TO DIFFERENTIATE OVAL OR OCTAGONAL.
4 MARKING ON EXAMPLE RING GASKET ABOVE INDICATES MATERIAL HARDNESS SATISFIES BOTH SOFT IRON AND
LOW-CARBON STEEL REQUIREMENTS.

SEAL AREAS ON RING GASKET TYPES

TYPE R OVAL RING GASKET TYPE R OCTAGONAL RING GASKET

.
 TYPE RX RING GASKET TYPE BX RING GASKET

PRESSURE PASSAGE HOLE, NOT SHOWN, ONLY

APPLIES TO RX-82 THROUGH RX-91

TYPE SRX RING GASKET FOR SUBSEA

MAKE-UP TYPE SBX RING GASKET FOR SUBSEA MAKE-UP

OPTION A OPTION A

TYPE SRX RING GASKET FOR SUBSEA

MAKE-UP TYPE SBX RING GASKET FOR SUBSEA MAKE-UP

OPTION B OPTION B

THE ARROWS INDICATE THE SEALING AREAS OF THE

DIFFERENT TYPES OF RING GASKETS. IN THE CASE OF
SUBSEA MAKE-UP, ANY WATER TRAPPED BETWEEN A RING
GROOVE BOTTOM AND THE SEALING AREA OF AN SRX OR SBX
GASKET CAN ESCAPE TO THE EQUIPMENT I.D. BORE.

Making up ring joint connections of any kind represents considerable effort and uses
valuable time, having a connection leak after make-up represents an unnecessary
and avoidable waste.