Preventing Blowouts: Why RTJ is Non-Negotiable for High-Pressure/High-Temp Cycling

The Limits of Soft Gaskets In high-pressure service (Class 900 and above), soft gaskets used with Raised Face (RF) flanges can “blow out” if the system experiences sudden pressure spikes or thermal shocks. The gasket has nowhere to go but out.

1. The Mechanical Lock of RTJ The Ring Type Joint (RTJ) is a self-energizing seal. As internal pressure increases, the ring is pushed harder against the groove walls, actually improving the seal. For DTC’s offshore and refinery clients, RTJ is the mandatory standard for any service where a leak could lead to a catastrophic fire.

2. Maintenance Warning: The “One-Time” Seal DTC Expert Tip: Unlike RF gaskets, RTJ metallic rings undergo plastic deformation to seal. Never reuse an RTJ ring. Replacing the ring every time the joint is opened is a fraction of the cost compared to the disaster of a failed high-pressure seal.