Products

The Pikotek VCFS© Fire Safe insulating gasket utilizes Pikotek’s standard VCS design with its 20 plus year track record of success in sealing Very Critical Service. The Fire Safe version was created by taking a standard VCS configuration and adding a secondary sealing element that is capable of maintaining a seal while subject to a 1500ºF fire. The VCFS* combines the VCS’s proven track record of electrical isolation and sealing integrity in aggressive situations with a solution that has fully passed the API 6FB, 3rd Edition fire test.

The VCFS* is suitable in all services up to and including ANSI 2500# and is offered for ring type joint (RTJ) flanges from 6”- 24” and raised face flanges from 2”-24”. The VCFS© is designed for service where the cost of joint failure cannot be tolerated and the operator desires both electrical isolation and added sealing integrity in the case of a fire.

The VCFS* consists of a PTFE spring-energized primary sealing element and an E-ring secondary seal, all seated in a high-strength metal core upon which an insulating laminate is permanently bonded. Due to its unique pressure activated sealing mechanism, the gasket requires far less bolt stress to seal than other gasket types. In addition, the engineered E-ring will serve as a secondary seal during normal operation and the primary sealing element during a fire.

Applications

•  Flange insulation in conjunction with cathodic protection.
•  Insulation between dissimilar metals to prevent galvanic corrosion.
•  Wellhead isolation from inter-connected flowlines.
•  Mating mismatched ring-joint to raised-face flanges (VCS will seal in ring-joint, raised-face and flat face/slip-on flanges).
•  Eliminate fluid trap corrosion between ring-joint (RTJ) flanges where high concentrations of CO2, H2S and other aggressive hydrocarbon media are present.
•  Eliminate turbulence and flow-induced erosion between ring-joint (RTJ) flanges.
•  Protect against coating impingement on coated flange faces.
•  To seal between flanges subjected to vibration/cavitation (i.e., compressor stations).

Ordering

When ordering a complete VCS insulating kit, the following must be specified:

1. Flange Specification (ANSI/ASME, API, MSS, BSI or DIN standard)
2. Nominal Pipe Size, Pressure Rating and Bore Size
3. Operating Pressure, Temperature and Media
4. Required Seal Material (Teflon comes standard)
5. Insulating Sleeve Material (G10 comes standard)
6. Insulating Washer Material (HCS coated steel washers come standard)

Metalic Core

The core of each gasket is made of annealed 316 stainless steel. Other metals, including Duplex and Inconel are available upon special order.
Gasket Insulating Material Options

    1) G-10 (comes standard)

NEMA grade G-10 Glass-Reinforced Epoxy laminate material:

            •        Compressive Strength:                        65,000 PSI

            •        Dielectric Strength:                              750-800 VPM

            •        Max. Continuous Operating Temp:         302° F (150° C)

            •        Water Absorption:                                .05%

            •        Flexural Strength:                                 65,000 PSI

            •        Tensile Strength:                                  50,000 PSI

            •        Bond Strength:                                     2,600 lb.

            •        Shear Strength:                                    22,000 lb.

* Note: The “FS” or “Fire Safe” designation denotes only that this gasket has successfully passed the API 6FB fire test. Due to the fact that every fire is unique and many uncontrolled variables are present, no other claims regarding suitability or performance in a fire are made. Each designer, user and/or operator will need to assess their individual situation when deciding to install FS style gaskets. Patent Pending.