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Question:

I have always been taught to install a ring gasket dry. Lately I have been hearing differently. What practice do you recommend?

You may install a new plated carbon steel ring gasket into a like new groove dry, the Zinc plating on the gasket will serve as a lubricant, and all should go well.

If you intend to install a 316 SS ring gasket into a 316 SS lined ring groove, light lubrication will help to avoid the possibility of galling between the engaging faces of the gasket and the groove.

A light lubrication of any ring gasket, using multipurpose grease usually can't hurt, if we confine ourselves only to oilfield applications. Flanges used in some services cannot permit foreign substances.

Be sure if you do use lubricant, that you use it sparingly, too much lubricant in the bottom of the ring grooves may "block" the proper seating and coining of the gasket in the grooves and prevent proper sealing, see Flange Make-up, Stand-off / No Stand-off and Drift between Flanges.

For more about how a gasket seals in a groove, see Field Appraisal of Ring Grooves.

For a Catalog for Bolts, Nuts, Ring Gaskets and Wrenches, Click Here.

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