Acceptable Levels of Corrosion for Pressure Boundary Bolted Joints

This paper outlines recent work in the field of pressure boundary bolted joint integrity and the effect of corrosion on bolted joint components. It summarizes recent analysis and testing which determined the risk to joint integrity or catastrophic failure associated with corrosion of the joint components; bolts, nuts and flanges.

The paper details, at a high level, the work performed and outlines the limits to corrosion that can be applied in the field for each component as an inspection limit to trigger planned replacement or emergency shut down.