ASME PCC-2–2018
Article 206
Full Encirclement Steel Reinforcing Sleeves for Piping
206-1 DESCRIPTION
This Article applies to the design and installation of full-
encirclement welded steel sleeves for piping or pipelines.
The sleeves can be designed for non-pressure-containing
reinforcement or for pressure-containing reinforcement.
Full encirclement reinforcement sleeves have proven
effective in the repair of a wide variety of internal and
external defects.
206-1.1 Full Encirclement Steel Sleeve
Full encirclement steel sleeves consist of a cylindrical
shell placed around the pipe section to be repaired and
welded along the two longitudinal seams, as illustrated in
Figures 206-1.1.1-1 and 206-1.1.2-1. There are two types
of sleeves, herein referred to as “Type A” and “Type B.”
Sleeves can be made from pipe or rolled plate material.
206-1.1.1 Type A Sleeve. Type A sleeve ends are not
welded circumferentially to the carrier pipe, as shown in
Figure 206-1.1.1-1. The Type A sleeve is not capable of
containing internal pressure but functions as reinforce-
ment for a defective area. It is only used for the repair
of defects that are not leaking and that are not expected
to grow during service, or when the damage mechanism
and growth rate are fully understood.
206-1.1.2 Type B Sleeve. Type B sleeve ends are
welded circumferentially to the carrier pipe, as shown
in Figure 206-1.1.2-1. A Type B sleeve is capable of
containing internal pressure because the ends are fillet
welded to the carrier pipe. Type B sleeves can be used
to repair leaking defects or defects that may eventually
leak and to strengthen pipe having defects that reduce
the axial load carrying capability of the pipe.
206-2 CAUTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
206-2.1 Additional Requirements
Part 1 of this Standard contains additional require-
ments and limitations. This Article shall be used in
conjunction with Part 1.
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206-2.2 Regulations
The piping and pipeline regulations regarding repair
and piping and pipeline design code restrictions regarding
repair shall be followed.
206-2.3 Leaking Defects
For Type B sleeves with leaking defects, special consid-
erations shall be taken to isolate the leak prior to welding.
206-2.4 Cyclic Operation
If a sleeve repair is applied to a system subjected to
frequent pressure cycles, a fatigue evaluation of the
component should be in accordance with para. 206-3.8.
When a Type B sleeve is subject to cyclic through-wall
thermal gradients, a fatigue evaluation of the sleeve-to-
pipe fillet welds should be conducted to establish the
service life of the repair, in accordance with para. 206-3.8.
206-2.5 Circumferential Defects
Type A sleeves may not be appropriate for the repair of
circumferentially oriented defects because they will not
resist axial loads on the pipe.
206-2.6 Undersleeve Corrosion
For Type A sleeves, measures shall be taken to prevent
corrosion due to the migration of moisture through the
unwelded ends into the space between the pipe and
sleeve. Such measures may include the use of a sealant
or coating suitable for the operating environment.
206-2.7 Weld Reinforcement
The presence of a girth weld or longitudinal seam weld
having a prominent weld reinforcement may interfere
with achieving a tight fit-up of the sleeve. If it is necessary
to remove the weld reinforcement by grinding to achieve a
good fit, the weld shall be examined by RT or UT prior to
grinding or the pressure shall be reduced. This examina-
tion is particularly important when the line is in service.
Alternatively, sleeves may be fabricated with a circumfer-
ential bulge to bridge the weld, as shown in Figure 206-
2.7-1. The weld root gap shall be uniform along length,
including bulge.
 ASME PCC-2–2018

ð18Þ Figure 206-1.1.1-1 Type A Sleeve

Sleeve

Carrier pipe

Longitudinal weld seam

Carrier pipe

Fillet welds

Gap

Groove weld optional

No Backing Strip Backing Strip Backing Strip Overlapping

and With No Side Strip
Relief Groove Relief Groove

206-2.8 Sleeve Size Requirements lation or pumped in between the sleeve and carrier pipe
annulus after the sleeve is in place.
Areas that do not meet Fitness For Service (FFS) criteria
should be fully covered by the repair sleeve. For Type B
206-3 DESIGN
sleeves, the end fillet welds shall only be made in areas
where sufficient wall thickness exists to prevent burn-
206-3.1 Type A Sleeves
through.
Type A sleeves shall be fabricated or manufactured from
206-2.9 Welding steel meeting the material specifications of the construc-
tion code, and should have a thickness equal to at least
Welds shall be installed by qualified welders in accor-
two-thirds the thickness of the carrier pipe. The
dance with qualified procedures reflecting actual field
carrier pipe longitudinal stresses shall meet the require-
conditions.
ments of the applicable construction code.
ð18Þ 206-2.10 Filler Material
206-3.2 Type B Sleeves ð18Þ
If a hardenable filler material is used between the sleeve
Type B pressure containing sleeves shall have a wall
and carrier pipe, it shall be compatible with the intended
thickness equal to or greater than the wall thickness
application. The material shall be suitable for the service
required for the maximum allowable design pressure
temperature and, for Type B sleeves, compatible with the
or, if required by the engineering design, the full equiva-
fluid. Filler material may be applied prior to sleeve instal-
lent strength of the pipe being repaired. For tight-fitting
sleeves, the engineering design shall be based on the

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 ASME PCC-2–2018

ð18Þ Figure 206-1.1.2-1 Type B Sleeve

End fillet weld
Sleeve

End fillet weld

Carrier pipe

Longitudinal weld seam

(butt weld only.
Overlapping side strip
not allowed.)

Carrier pipe

No Backing Strip Backing Strip Backing Strip Overlapping

and With No Side Strip
Relief Groove Relief Groove (Not Allowed)

nominal wall thickness of the carrier pipe. A longitudinal
weld joint efficiency factor of 0.80 shall be applied when
calculating the required thickness unless the weld is 100%
examined by ultrasonic examination, in which case a joint
efficiency factor of 1.00 may be applied. If the Type B
sleeve is intended to provide axial reinforcement, such
as at a defective girth weld, it shall be designed to
carry axial and bending loads acting at the sleeve location.
206-3.3 Pressure Design
The pressure design calculations of the applicable
construction code shall apply for calculating the required
sleeve thickness. Sleeve material and allowable design
stress shall comply with the applicable construction
code requirements. Corrosion allowances applied shall
be in accordance with the engineering design.
206-3.4 Sleeve Dimensions
Types A and B sleeves shall be at least 100 mm (4 in.)
long and extend beyond the defect by at least 50 mm (2 in.).
206-3.5 Type B Sleeve Fillet Welds ð18Þ
The fillet weld leg size for circumferential end welds for
a Type B sleeve shall be as follows:
(a) A complete fillet weld if the sleeve thickness is less
than or equal to 1.4 times the nominal carrier pipe wall
thickness, as shown in Figure 206-3.5-1.
(b) If a Type B sleeve is thicker than 1.4 times the
nominal carrier pipe wall thickness, the circumferential
ends of the Type B sleeve may be left as is or chamfered
as shown in Figure 206-3.5-2.
The toe of the weld on the carrier pipe shall smoothly
transition from the carrier pipe to weld in order to mini-
mize the level of stress intensification. The included angle
between the weld toe and the carrier pipe shall not create a
sharp notch, and defects such as undercut are not allowed.

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 ASME PCC-2–2018

Figure 206-2.7-1 Welded Split Sleeve for Use Over a Girth sleeve to the inner pipe, shall be performed in accordance
Weld with API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.

206-3.9 Restraint of Pipe Bulging

Local wall thinning or damage defects, such as dents,
weaken the carrier pipe and typically bulge outward
prior to failure under increasing pressure. The effective-
ness of repair sleeves relies on their capability to restrain
the outward bulging of a pipe defect prior to its failure. The
design shall consider if it is necessary
(a) to use a hardenable filler material (epoxy or equiva-
lent) under the sleeve to fill the voids when the defect is
external
(b) to reduce the line pressure at time of installation

206-3.10 Type A Sleeve Filler Material

Bulge in Sleeve to
Fit Over Existing For Type A sleeves, it is necessary to achieve intimate
Circumferential Weld contact between the pipe and the sleeve at the location of
the defect being repaired and an appropriate filler mate-
rial should be used to ensure that the sleeve provides the
206-3.6 External Pressure
desired pressure load reinforcement.
External pressure loading of the pipe within Type B
sleeves should be considered by the engineering 206-3.11 Differential Thermal Expansion
design. Fitting the sleeve as tightly as possible to Differential thermal expansion between the carrier pipe
ensure load transfer from the pipe to the sleeve should and the reinforcing sleeve shall be considered in the
minimize the annulus volume. If this is not possible, design and application of both Type A and Type B sleeves.
the annulus volume should be filled with hardenable
filler material (see para. 206-2.9) or the pressure
206-4 FABRICATION
should be balanced by hot tapping the pipe under the
sleeve. A vent or drain may be provided in the design. 206-4.1 Installation
If the annulus is to be left unfilled, it should be verified
that the stagnant fluid between the sleeve and the carrier For installation of a Type A or Type B sleeve, the entire
pipe will not cause corrosion. circumference of the carrier pipe in the area to be covered
by the sleeve shall be cleaned to bare metal. If hardenable
206-3.7 External Damage fill material is to be used, the filler shall be applied to all
indentations, pits, voids, and depressions. The sleeve shall
If external damage is repaired with a Type A or Type B
be fitted tightly around the carrier pipe. Mechanical
sleeve, the damage shall be filled with a hardenable filler
clamping by means of hydraulic equipment, draw
material with compressive strength adequate to transfer
bolts, or other devices may be used to ensure fit. A “no
the load to the sleeve. The use of a hardenable material
gap” fit should generally be achieved; however, a
should be applied to fill voids or cavities present between
radial gap of up to 2.5 mm (3∕32 in.) maximum may be
the Type B sleeve and the carrier pipe.
allowed. For sleeves with welded ends, weld size and
206-3.8 Cyclic Operation welder technique adjustments, such as buttering
passes, may be required if the gap is excessive.
(a) If the system is subjected to greater than 400 pres-
sure cycles, where the change in pressure, during a cycle, 206-4.2 Filler Materials
exceeds 20% of the design pressure, then a detailed
If a filler material is used between the pipe and sleeve,
fatigue analysis of the component, considering fit-up of
care shall be exercised to ensure that it does not extrude
the sleeve to the inner pipe, shall be performed in accor-
into the weld areas. Burning of the filler material during
dance with API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
welding will compromise the quality of the weld. Excess
(b) If a Type B sleeve is subjected to changes in
filler material shall be removed prior to welding. Pumping
temperature where the difference in mean metal tempera-
filler material into the annulus after the sleeve has been
ture between the sleeve and inner pipe is less than 100°F
welded in place eliminates this problem, provided the
and the number of cycles is less than 200, then a fatigue
annular gaps are large enough to allow the filler to
analysis is not required, otherwise a detailed fatigue
flow into all voids.
evaluation of the component, considering fit-up of the

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