Appendix B.

Hub-and-Clamp Piping Connectors

This discussion is derived from a memo by D. Klapko, Calgary Design and

Construction Group, Chevron Canada Resources Limited, 1988-03-02. It is based
on Canadian experience but the ideas are universally applicable.

Contents Page

B1.0 Introduction B-2

B2.0 Availability B-4
B3.0 Archial Relief Grooves B-4
B4.0 Service Recommendations B-4
B5.0 Field Observations B-6
B6.0 Installation Method B-6
B7.0 Relative Costs B-7

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Appendix B Piping Manual

B1.0 Introduction
Hub-and-clamp piping connectors are typically used for pressures greater than
ANSI flanges can handle, to save weight and space over ANSI flanges, or where
makeup of ANSI flanges is difficult. They can be used on valve ends, manifolds,
wellheads, general piping, and vessel closures.
Hub-and-clamp piping connectors use machined, weld neck hubs, which are butt-
welded to pipe with normal V-groove welds. They are joined with encircling clamps
that use tapered faces to pull the hub faces together. The clamps generally have four
bolts. The connector seal is made with a deformable (and often coated) metallic seal
ring, which is mechanically energized when the joint is made up. Internal pressure
will reinforce the mechanical seal. See Figure B-1 for a typical clamp, Figure B-2
for a typical hub, and Figure B-3 for seal ring configuration during makeup.

Fig. B-1 Typical Clamp Courtesy of Oteco Equipment Company

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Piping Manual Appendix B

Fig. B-2 Typical Hub Courtesy of Oteco Equipment Company

Fig. B-3 Seal Ring Configuration During Makeup Courtesy of Oteco Equipment Company

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Appendix B Piping Manual

B2.0 Availability
Hub-and-clamp connectors are available in all sizes from ½ to about 16 inches.
Available materials include regular and low temperature carbon steel, stainless steel,
and alloy steels.
In Canada there are four (4) acceptable suppliers:
• Securamax (CMI Engineering Specialties)
• Grayloc (Rector-Gray Ltd.)
• G-Con (Proquip-Reflange Inc.)
• Oteco (Oteco)
The first three are price competitive. Oteco is considerably more costly, apparently
because they machine the matching surfaces of their clamps. Competitive pricing
changes from one bid to the next but Securamax currently (1988) seems to have the
edge as they are manufactured in Canada and are not subject to foreign import
duties.
Another supplier, Victaulic, manufactures the Metalseal connector. Metalseal is not
acceptable at this time because it does not incorporate the archial relief grooves in
the clamps.
U.S. pricing and availability may be different because of place of manufacture and
import duty differences. Prices and availability should be confirmed with CUSA
Purchasing.

B3.0 Archial Relief Grooves

The archial grooves are essential in the clamp design and provide the following
benefits:
• Even distribution of makeup forces on connection
• Absorption of excessive torque on the bolting
There are two methods of fabricating clamps and grooves:
• Forged with grooves present in clamp (Grayloc and Oteco)
• Forged with grooves machined after forging (Securamax)
If machined grooves are provided, the manufacturer must use appropriate designs,
such as 1/16-inch radii on corners, to avoid creating a stress riser.

B4.0 Service Recommendations

Hub-and-clamp style connectors are most commonly used in high pressure hydro-
carbon sweet liquid or gas-and-water service for ANSI Class 2500.
Hub-and-clamp connectors are acceptable in fire risk areas. Because the connection
is held together by the clamps, the short length of exposed bolt is not considered a
problem.

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Piping Manual Appendix B

Hub and clamp style connectors are not recommended for water-saturated
sour gas or corrosive service i.e., wet sour gas, produced water or brine. The dead
flow areas around the seal ring make inhibition ineffective, resulting in premature
failure from localized corrosion. The conventional RTJ flange and ring gasket can
be fitted with a Teflon insert ring which seals off the dead areas, eliminating the
localized corrosion problem.
Connectors at the Fort Saskatchewan fractionation facility in brine service are
showing premature leakage because of localized corrosion and, possibly, a turning
of the hub inside the clamp caused by thermal piping deflections in the axis of the
hub face. As they fail these connectors are being replaced with ring joint flanges.
For ANSI Classes 1500 and 2500, the hub-and-clamp connection has significant
size, weight, and working pressure advantages. See Figure B-4 for a comparison of
connectors with flanges.

Fig. B-4 Hub-and-Clamp Size, Weight and Working Pressure vs. Flanges Courtesy of Oteco Equipment Company
Size Connector Weight, lb Diameter, in. Length, in. WP, psi
3-inch Hub-and-clamp 37 6.875 6.75 7797
ANSI 1500 flanges 121 10.5 9.25 3600
API 5000 flanges 92 10.5 8.625 5000
6-inch Hub-and-clamp 131 12.0 9.5 6135
ANSI 1500 flanges 407 15.5 13.5 3600
API 5000 flanges 365 15.5 14.25 5000

Pressure design and selection of the hubs are based on the application; ANSI/
ASME B31.3 is used for plants and CSA Z183 or Z184 or ANSI/ASME B31.4 or
B31.8 for pipelines. Refer to the appropriate manufacturer’s catalogues for tempera-
ture and pressure limitations of each specific style and size.
The hoop stresses and corrosion allowances for the piping in each standard are
applied to the hubs. One must ensure that the hub material is selected for the appli-
cation, i.e., low temperature, hardness, etc. Weldability is a concern and should be
thoroughly checked. If practical, similar pipe and hub metallurgy should be
provided.
Hubs, clamps, seal rings and bolts can be supplied in carbon or stainless steel.
Usually, the product markings that so identify them are not very obvious. This can
be a problem on projects where a mix of materials is used; it becomes very difficult
to get the correct item in the right place.
Calgary Design and Construction Group has always used Teflon coated seal rings.
Rings can also be purchased bare.

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Appendix B Piping Manual

B5.0 Field Observations

The following comments are the results of observations and experiences in the field:
• It is important that the inside sealing surface of hubs be protected from weld
splatter during welding. Various methods have been used, i.e., coating the
surface with carbon from an acetylene torch, coating with antiseize copper
thread dope, filling the hub with thermal blanket such as that used for stress
relieving insulation. The best results have been with a combination of the
copper dope with thermal blanket. Securamax sells a weld splatter hub
protector but Calgary has no experience with these
• Repair of damaged hubs is possible. Shallow scratches from hubs that were
leaking can be removed using a #400 Emery cloth and oil. Each case requires
assessment before deciding to repair or replace the hub
• For proper fitup, a poor pipe alignment must inevitably be cut and rewelded. If
the hubs are not aligned during initial fitup the clamps will not pull the hubs
together for a leak-tight joint. Correct alignment cannot be overemphasized and
is more critical than that stated in the manufacturers' catalogues
• Seal rings can be reused but it is a judgement call. If an expensive hydrotest or
a lot of expensive product is involved to replace a leaking seal, then why
gamble for $100? In many cases, less-than-perfect used seal rings can be used
in less sensitive areas of the facility
• If a hub clamp is properly tightened and begins to leak under test or service,
there is only one cure and that is to open up the joint and determine the cause of
the leak. Retightening and overtightening the bolts will not stop a leak. In
desperation, contractors will try this, but invariably the joint must be disman-
tled
• In vibrating service, proper torquing of the clamped hub connection is very
important. In one instance, a number of joints were bolted up at the end of the
day and put into service. The next morning two bolts each from three clamps on
a 6-inch, 1600 psi water line had vibrated loose and were lying on the floor.
• Caution is required when opening up a joint that could still be under pressure.
Once the clamps have been properly installed they will hold considerable pres-
sure even with the bolts removed. The clamps should be jarred loose while the
bolts are still in place and relatively tight. An operator has been killed and
others injured because they removed the bolts and then removed the clamps
with a hammer

B6.0 Installation Method

The preferred installation method is:
1. Examine hubs for defects.
2. Use new seal ring or make sure used ring is in good condition.

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3. Apply a light coat of pipe thread compound to both hubs and seal ring as a
lubricant to facilitate proper fitup. Take care to keep grit off the sealing
surfaces. Some manufacturers do not recommend using thread compound, but it
seems to help—especially if there are slight scratches on the hubs.
4. Make sure hub faces are aligned. The clamps will not cure misalignment.
5. Grease the inside bevels of the clamps before installing.
6. Apply antiseize bolt compound to studs and nut bevels before installing.
7. Tighten all bolts uniformly in an X-pattern. Jar clamps with a hammer during
the tightening process. Continue to tighten to the specified torque until jarring
the clamp does not change the stud torque reading. If the clamps are not prop-
erly set, the torque on the bolts will be relaxed when the clamps are hammered.
8. A torque wrench is mandatory for all installations.
9. If the joint leaks after installation, start over. There is something wrong and
overtorquing the bolts will not help.

B7.0 Relative Costs

The cost breakover point when considering conventional RTJ flanges versus hub
and clamp style connectors is ANSI Class 2500 in NPS 2 and larger. Bids for a large
quantity of connector assemblies on a 1987 project were:
Supplier $Cdn
Securamax $35, 558
G-Con $39, 428
Grayloc $41, 494
Oteco $48, 791

Typical delivery is 10 - 12 weeks for a large order.

The following table shows unit prices for hub and clamp connectors with a design
pressure of 5000 psi (34 MPa). Prices as of November, 1987.
Item Size Unit Price Range ($Cdn)
Hubs 60.3 mm (2") 36 - 55
88.9 mm (3") 73 - 79
114.3 mm (4") 94 - 122
Clamps 60.3 mm (2") 37 - 92
88.9 mm (3") 58 - 135
114.3 mm (4") 81 - 163
Seal Rings 60.3 mm (2") 46 - 47
88.9 mm (3") 50 - 60
114.3 mm (4") 74 - 115

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Appendix B Piping Manual

On a new project, it is advisable to order extra hubs for replacement of those

damaged during construction and plenty of replacement seal rings. These items will
invariably not be available on short notice if required during construction and
startup.
Valves are available with hub connectors but they are a special order and require
extra time to manufacture. Again, spare valves with hubs should be ordered and
stocked on a new project.

October 1989 B-8 Chevron Corporation