Image Source: Science Direct
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Pipe Flanges are the projecting edges, rims, ribs, or collars that join two pipes or a pipe to a fitting or piece of equipment. For situations when solvent cementing would not hold, such as during the dismantling of a piping system or during a temporary or mobile installation, or when two materials have to transition into one another, pipe flanges are utilized.
Flanges also have a high moment-carrying capability in comparison to other types of mechanical connections. This is a crucial quality for systems vulnerable to pipe-walking and lateral bending due to changes in temperature and pressure (e.g. deep water lines).
The most common application for mechanical joints is in an underground pipe, valve, and fitting connections. When in the retrained position, the mechanical joint&#;s retention gland utilizes a wedge action to keep the joint in place. When the gland is squeezed against the bell, it wedges the gasket and creates a leak-proof seal.
Mechanical Joints Advantages
Mechanical Joints&#; Disadvantages
The flange creates a firm, non-deflecting joint. This is bad for subterranean installations that change often. The ground movement might compromise joint integration. Tightening the bolts and squeezing the gasket creates a watertight seal.
Flanges&#; Advantages
Flanges&#; Disadvantages
If you want have marks and labels on your flange, first, decide on a labeling scheme. Then, learn about the labeled piping system. How many types of pipelines convey what materials? Last, publish the labels. For typical materials, you may buy pre-printed labels or utilize a custom label printer at work.
Pipe flanges are second only to welding as a means of putting pipes together. When disassembling a joint, these are the tools of choice. Having this option means more freedom in terms of routine upkeep. Therefore, it is appropriate to choose the appropriate flanges.
You can also check out the following video for more information.
Acquire the most accurate flanges which is convenient for daily use and commercial use
Image Source: Marcel Piping
In the high pressure pipe industry, socket-weld flanges are primarily utilized on smaller diameter pipes. The pipe is inserted into the flange&#;s socket end, and fillet weld is applied around the flange&#;s top. As a result, the pipe&#;s interior is smoother, allowing for more efficient transport of the gas or liquid being transported.
Throw on the diameters of the hubs on pipe flanges, which are the standard, may be anywhere from 1/2 inch to 24 inch. Socket Weld pipe flanges are offered by Coastal Flange in every conceivable size, grade, and detail.
In addition, Socket Welding Flange depending on the application may have:
Under 400#, socket weld pipe flanges with raised faces are typically 1/16 inches tall. Raised face heights of 1/4&#; are the norm for socket weld pipe flanges in the 400# class and above.
Image Source: Savree
SO flange is short for slip on flange. Flanges with a SO thread are designed to be somewhat larger on the inside than the pipe they are meant to cover. A fillet weld at the top and bottom of the flange allows them to attach to the pipe.
Flanges have an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the pipe&#;s outer diameter, allowing the two to be joined through lap welding at the flange&#;s top and bottom.
Slip on Flange Specifications:
Some advantages:
Image Source: Forged Components
A pipe may be welded to a welding neck flange (&#;WN&#;) that has a long, tapered hub. This kind of flange is often utilized in high-pressure and high-/low temperature applications that call for an unhindered flow of the fluid being transported by the piping system.
The weld neck flange and pipe are mechanically stressed in a uniform manner thanks to the tapered hub, which also makes it easier to conduct radiographic inspections to look for any leaks and welding flaws. A single fully penetrated V-shaped butt weld joins a welding neck flange to a pipe.
Things to consider while buying a weld pipe flange:
Image Source: Ingenio Virtual
Threads on the flange allow it to be screwed into a pipe, thus the name &#;threaded&#; or &#;screwed&#; flange.
Threaded flanges come in a wide range of diameters and pressure ratings, however they are typically only utilized for smaller pipe systems ( 4 inches). In addition, it is normally only used in non-toxic, low-pressure, low-temperature environments. Most threaded flanges are between 1/2 and 2 inches in diameter, although larger sizes are becoming prevalent.
Threaded flanges only have two possible faces&#;flat and raised&#;because they are used in lower-pressure settings. Due to distortion of the thread geometry at high temperatures, they cannot be used in situations where leakage is a concern.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Image Source: Hard Hat Engineer
A blind flange, also known as a non-hub flange, is a flange which does not have a hub or a bored center. Blind flanges are comparable to regular flanges in that they share the same bolting pattern, face type, and thickness. Blind flanges may also be employed to seal a pressure vessel&#;s nozzle opening.
Blind flanges have widespread use in the petrochemical, pipe engineering, public services, and water works industries. It&#;s helpful for fixing a pipeline farther upstream. Actually, a blind flange may be included into the completed pipeline as part of the building process. Simply by connecting to the end flange, the pipeline may be extended or expanded.
A few benefits:
Image Source: Micron Steel
Flanges with expandable hubs are called &#;expander flanges,&#; and they resemble weld neck flanges in appearance but have much larger diameters (one or two sizes). The large stress concentrations at the flange&#;s base may be mitigated thanks to its design, which transfers the stresses to the pipe. It expands the pipe diameter at the flange joint.
Additionally, the expander flanges may be utilized to connect piping to other devices including compressors, pumps, and controls.
Some benefits of expander flanges:
An olet (often a weldolet or nipple) is joined with a flange to form a flangeolet. High pressure pipe utilizes a 90-degree branch connection.
Two weld joints are cut down to one, which is a significant improvement over the standard Olet + Pipe + Flange connection.
Image Source: JF Engineering
When the diameter of a pipe has to be reduced, a flange of the appropriate size must be used. Flange (dimensions) often correspond to bigger NPT pipe size; bore (dimensions) typically correspond to smaller pipe size (NPT). Blind, slip-on, threaded, and weld neck flanges are the most common types of these flanges.
Uses of Reducing Flanges:
Image Source: Flowstar
From 15mm (1/2&#;) to 600mm (24&#;), these tables have flanges of all sizes (24&#;). These flange tables include the most popular flange standards, such as ANSI, PN, and the outdated British BS10 Table D through K. Valves are commonly connected to pipes using flanges because they allow for quick and simple removal when repair is required.
Flat (often cast iron or ductile iron) or raised face flanges are both acceptable within the same specification (commonly cast steel and stainless steel). Important flange measurements are included in these tables so that you may determine which kind of flange you have.
It&#;s common practice for manufacturers to produce pipe flanges in a variety of materials and quality levels. Producing Flanges may be done using a wide variety of materials.
Pipe flanges are often made from the following:
In choosing the right flange, consider these three materials:
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is fatigue-resistant, strong, chemically resistant, robust, and resistant to stress-corrosion cracking. This makes Flanges suitable for joining pipelines and supporting mechanical pieces.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel contains more chromium and molybdenum than carbon. It can handle tremendous pressure and heat. It has better corrosion resistance than carbon steel grades.
Stainless Steel
Nickel, Chromium, and Molybdenum distinguish stainless steel from other materials. Stainless Steel is frequently utilized and resists corrosion. This material may be used to make Pipe Flanges of various sizes.
The plain/flat flange, the raised flange, and the ring-type junction are the three most prevalent kinds of flange faces (RTJ).
Flanges with a flat face (FF) need a soft gasket made of a material other than metal, and their sealing surface must be serrated. Low-pressure applications, such as pressure classes 125 and 250, are ideal for this flange design.
RF flanges differ from standard flanges in that their sealing faces project outward from the bolting circle plane in a circular form. All pressure classes, and therefore a broad variety of pressure and temperature ratings, are covered by the availability of raised face flanges.
Flanges with a ring-type junction (RTJ) are a modification of the raised face flange. In more demanding situations, such as those involving high pressure and/or high temperature (>C / 1,F), RTJ flanges are the norm. Class 900 and beyond is where they really shine.
Class, poundage, or even simply a number followed by an octothorpe (the # symbol; the hashtag for you millennials; the pound sign for everyone else) are common ways to refer to different types of pipe flanges.
In reference to a flange&#;s pressure rating, these words are all equivalent. To add more confusion, a flange rated at 600 pounds does not always have a 600 pound pressure rating.
Instead of &#;pounds per square inch,&#; the current nomenclature for flange pressure classes is &#;pounds.&#; Always remember that the words &#;pound&#; and &#;class&#; may be used interchangeably when discussing the pressure class of flanges.
Class 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, , and are the corresponding weight classes. Generally speaking, a flange with a higher rating will be heavier and able to handle more pressure and temperature. So, for a particular material, the maximum allowed pressure decreases as the temperature increases, and vice versa.
Image Source: Savree
Goto MIDAS to know more.
Standardizing the size of the different flange types based on needs, i.e. the service conditions they are expected to meet, was required in the same way as piping was. Additionally, standardization allows for less complicated and error-prone communication between designers, manufacturers, and others involved.
A pipe &#;flange&#; is a metal ring that is welded onto the end of a pipe and has multiple bolt holes drilled into it perpendicular to the axis of the pipe.
The donut-shaped gasket is inserted between the flange pairs before the bolts are tightened, creating a pressure-tight junction. Xhval industrial valve co.ltd manufactures flanged valves and also produces gaskets from materials that are more pliable than the flange material. As the gasket is &#;crushed&#; between the flanges, it effectively seals any gaps.
Image Source: India Mart
Flange end ball valves are used to control the flow of a pipeline and maintain a constant pressure throughout the system or operation. It is equipped with a spherical disc that may be opened or closed to regulate fluid flow
Image Source: Xhval
It&#;s a ball valve, which is a popular kind. Ball valves of this design find use in many other fields.
Image Source: Xhval
Without the need for any specialized machining, the globe valve may be set up or taken down in no time.
Image Source: Xhval
Flanged check deals with gas and petroleum as well as transportation. It is also used in the production of electricity.
Image Source: HMA Group
Valves that include threading on the inside or outside of the valve body are known as threaded valves or internal threaded valves. Internal threaded valves and exterior threaded valves are the two primary categories. A NPT valve or screwed end valve is also considered as a threaded valve.
Image Source: Jomar Valve
The connection between a ball valve and a copper pipe is leak-proof after being soldered. After heating the valve and pipe ends to the proper temperature, the plumbing solder dissolves into the connection by capillary action, creating a watertight seal once it cools.
Image Source: eBay
Connections made using glue are also known as FIP connections, slip-fit connections, friction fits, pipe ends, and spigots. Basically, they can be summed up in a single sentence. Glue socket connections are made by inserting a pipe with an outer diameter that is only a hair bigger than the socket&#;s inner diameter.
Image Source: Amron International
Tapered threads, as seen on pipes and fittings, conform to this American standard. A taper thread, as opposed to a bolt&#;s straight threads, will draw tight and provide a leak-proof seal. Threads should be sealed with pipe tape or pipe compound to prevent leaks.
Image Source: IndiaMart
Due to their diminutive stature, butterfly valves are almost exclusively fitted with wafer-style flange connections. But they are also available on certain brands of ball valves. This kind of attachment entails squeezing the valve between two flanges with the use of long bots or threaded end rods.
Image Source: Quality Manufacturer of Industrial Pipe Fittings
Socket welds are an attachment method for pipes that include fitting the pipe into a depression on a gate valve, fitting, or flange. Socket Weld fittings are preferred over buttweld fittings for smaller pipe diameters (Small Bore Piping), specifically piping with a nominal pipe size (NPS) of 2 or less.
Flanges come in a wide variety of types, textures, temperatures, shapes, sizes, and functions, making it tough to choose the best one for your house. Doing some preliminary reading is often the simplest method for newcomers to figure out which option is going to work best for them. Discovering their sizes and specs might also lead to fresh perspectives.
A flange is a protuberant rim or ridge that serves to increase the strength, easily attach one object with another by means of contact force, and guide and stabilize a machine&#;s movements or its parts. &#;Flange&#; is also a term used for a tool used to form flanges.
Flanges are piping components bound together using a gasket as a sealing material in between two flanges. They are used to connect pipes with other pipes, flanged valves, flanged fittings, flanged piping specialty items like strainers, and segregate piping sections using a blind flange. Flanges are also used in plumbing applications- for example, water-closet flanges that provide the mount for a toilet.
If flanges are not fixed correctly, they result in a gap through which undesirable substances can flow out of the system, causing harm to humans and the environment.
Stainless steel is distinguished for its ability to resist corrosion, durability, and ease of sanitation. It is best suited for any system that is required to remain clean throughout its service life- for example, a drinking water system.
Furthermore, the clean and polished finish of the flange is unparalleled. However, these rewarding benefits come with a comparatively higher price tag.
When using stainless steel flanges, ensure that the hardware you use to connect the pieces come with long service life. Also, they should be replaced at the appropriate time, even though the flange is in good working order.
Carbon steel is best when toughness is the priority rather than sanitation. For example, carbon steel flanges are used in your homes to deliver the natural gas supply. Carbon steel flanges will stand up to heat and vibration very well.
During installation, some finishing may be required on the flange faces to ensure a tight connection.
Hardened aluminum is frequently used on the face of steel (stainless) flanges.
If an entire flange is made of aluminum, it can slash the weight of the component. If a lighter component puts comparatively less pressure on the system&#;s structure or saves fuel, aluminum is a good choice.
Plastic flanges are even lighter than aluminum ones. They will not be able to bear excessive pressure or heat unless you invest in a highly durable material. Buying heavy-duty plastic flanges may get expensive. However, it still won&#;t provide the service life of carbon or stainless steel.
It consists of a thread inside the flange bore that fits with a matching male thread on the pipe. With a threaded connection, you can avoid wielding in some cases.
You simply have to place the pipe into the flange and secure the connection with a multi-pass fillet weld. Such flanges are ideal for pipes with smaller diameters in low-pressure and low-temperature scenarios.
In this, you have to match the flange to the intended pipe&#;s outer diameter and secure the connection using fillet weld on both sides. Slip-on flanges are available in different sizes to easily accommodate systems with higher throughput and flow rates.
These flanges require butt welding of the stub end to the pipe using a backing flange to generate the flanged connection. Lap joint flanges are best suited for systems that require frequent dismantling and maintenance or systems with limited physical space.
Weld neck flanges require butt welding for a secure connection, just like lap joint flanges. Such flanges are the best bet for process piping due to their performance, integrity, and ability to be used in high-temperature and high-pressure systems.
These flanges are materially boltable blank discs used for isolating or terminating pipe systems. When combined with correct gaskets and appropriately installed, bling flanges can achieve an exceptional seal that is easy to remove whenever required.
Flange designs and flange materials are only the beginning when considering an ideal flange for your system. Face types are another characteristic that has a significant impact on your flanges&#; service life and final performance.
Facing types determine the gaskets required to install the flange and create a more robust seal. Typical face types are:
A flat face flange features an even, flat surface. The flat surface enables the gasket to have complete contact with most of the flange surface. Its purpose is to eliminate the bending moment that is put on the flange when the bolts are torqued.
It features a small raised section above the bolting section where a circle gasket is placed.
The ring joint face flange features a groove where a metal gasket is placed to maintain the seal. It is used in high-temperature and high-pressure processes.
It features raised surfaces and matching grooves, making the installation process easier as the design enables the flanges to self-align and provide a repository for gasket adhesive.
These flanges use raised sections and a matching pair of grooves to secure the gasket. The gasket is retained on the female face, providing accurate placement and more gasket material options.
Besides the functional design, flanges&#; dimensions also impact the system. Common considerations to ensure proper fit include:
Outside diameter- Distance between the opposite edges of a flange face.
Thickness- Width of the outer attaching rim.
Bolt circle diameter- Distance between the opposite bolt holes, measure from the center.
Pipe size- The size of the pipe with which the flange correlates.
Nominal bore size- Measurement of the inner diameter of the flange connector.
Flanges fall under the standards established by ASME (American society of mechanical engineers).
If you are looking forward to verifying or replacing existing parts, ensure that the flanges include essential markers (usually on the outer perimeter). The markers are-
Manufacturer code or logo
ASTM material code
Material grade
Service rating
Size
Thickness
Heat number
Special designations (if any- like W for repair by welding, QT for quenched and tempered)
This guide provides thorough and detailed information about the flange types and designs, which will enable you to select the ideal flange for your system. Before investing in any flange, make sure you consider the points mentioned above.
For more information, please visit flanged ductile iron pipe.