Stubborn flange on a 16-inch steam line finally gave in after a heat and quench

We had a 16-inch steam line flange at the plant that was seized solid, wouldn't budge with a 6-foot cheater bar. The old method was to just keep torquing it, but that risks stripping the studs. I tried something different: heated the flange body with a rosebud for about 15 minutes, not the nuts, then hit it with a controlled water quench to shock it. The contraction broke the rust seal and it spun right off. Some guys say this can warp the flange or cause stress cracks if you're not careful. Has anyone else used this method on big bore lines, or is it too risky for regular work?

2 comments

2 Comments

tarab5413d ago

Sounds like a lot of worry over nothing. It's a big hunk of metal, a little heat and cool won't wreck it. Just get the job done.

sethc1213d ago

Hah, you're probably right @tarab54. My overthinking could warp metal all by itself.