Flanges, gaskets and stud bolts used for flanged connections in piping systems (types of flanges/gaskets, specifications, dimensions and materials per ASME)
In piping applications, a flange is used to join a pipe with other equipment (another pipe, a valve or a pump). Pipe flanges may be classified by shape (weld neck, blind, socket weld, threaded, etc), by facing type (RF, FF, RTJ), by material grade (cast and forged), and by specification (the ANSI/ASME B16.5 and B16.47 specifications… read more »
Which are the most common types of flanges used in piping? How do they look like? The key types of flanges are the welding neck, long welding neck, slip-on, socket weld, lap joint, threaded and blind flanges. In addition to these standard flanges, some special ones exist, called Weldoflange/Nipoflange and Elboflange, swivel flange, expander/reducer flange, and… read more »
The most common materials for pipe flanges (forged grades) are: ASTM A105 (carbon steel high temperature to match A53/A106/API 5L pipes), A350 Grades LF1/2/3 (carbon steel low temperature to match A333 pipes), A694 Grades F42 to F80 (high yield carbon steel to match API 5L pipe grades), ASTM A182 Grades F5 to F91 (alloy steel… read more »
What means ANSI flange pressure rating? How to select the right flange rating? The term “flange rating” (or class) refers to the maximum pressure (in psi or bars) that a flange withstands at increasing temperatures. Flanges with a higher rating (class) are stronger than flanges with lower ratings, as they bear more pressure at increasing temperatures. Flanges made… read more »
The flange face is the surface area that hosts the gasket. The 6 available types of flange face are flat (FF), raised (RF), ring joint (RTJ), lap joint, male and female (M&F), tongue and groove (T&G). Flanges with different faces require different gaskets and shall never be mated to prevent leakage of the joint. RF and… read more »
A flange isolation kit protects a flanged joint from the corrosion from static currents (by preventing a metal-to-metal contact among flanges, stud bolts, and gaskets). A flange insulation kit consists of one washer for each nut, one full-length insulating sleeve for each bolt, a gasket (type F, E, D, O), and thick plated steel washers for… read more »
Spectacle blind, flange spade, and ring spacer are forged products used to blind pipelines (temporarily or permanently). These devices are cost-effective alternatives to isolation valves. A spectacle blind combines, in one single product, a flange spade and a ring spacer. Flange spades and ring spacers, as separate products, are used when the rotation of a spectacle… read more »
An Orifice Flange is used in combination with orifice meters to measure the flow rate of oil, gas and other liquids conveyed by the pipeline. Orifice flanges are manufactured to ASME B16.36 in multiple sizes and, material grades. WHAT IS AN ORIFICE FLANGE? An orifice flange is used to measure the flow of the fluid conveyed… read more »