What are flanges?

A flange is an outward-projecting ridge or rim that increases strength or weight distribution. They link valves, pumps, pipes, and other pieces of equipment to create a pipeline system.

It also enables easy cleaning, examination, and modification. To attach him, welds or screws are used. Flanged couplings are made by bolting two flanges together and sealing the joint with a gasket.

They are used when a pipe connection has to be removed. They may be found in a variety of places, including machines, valves, and specialized applications.

When a pipeline has to be repaired, breakouts are inserted at regular intervals.

A flanged joint is formed by three separate but interconnected parts: flanges, gaskets, and bolts. There are many flange suppliers in India who manufacture very good-quality flanges, like Agarwal Industries, Saini Flange, etc.

Materials for Flanges

Stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, bronze, and plastic are all common materials for pipe flanges, although forged carbon steel with machined surfaces is the most usual.

Additionally, flanges, like fittings and pipelines, are often equipped inside with layers of materials of a totally different grade than the flanges themselves, known as “lined flanges,” for unique reasons.

The material of a flange is typically selected at the same time as the pipe; in most situations, the flange and pipe are made of the same material.

Types of Flanges

Flanges are not available in a one-size-fits-all design. Apart from size, choosing the right flange design for your pipe system and intended use will assure dependable operation, a long service life, and the best price.

Blind Flanges

Blind flanges made of stainless steel 304 are blank discs that may be bolted together to terminate or isolate pipes.

When installed correctly and used with the right gaskets, they can make a good seal that is easy to break when needed. 

Welding Neck Flanges

Welding neck flanges are defined by a long, tapered hub that gradually adapts to the wall thickness of the pipe or fitting.

The long-tapered hub serves as a required reinforcement in a variety of applications that need high pressure, sub-zero temperatures, and/or higher temperatures.

The taper makes it easy to go from the thickness of the flange to the thickness of the pipe or fitting wall.

This is especially helpful when the line keeps bending because of line expansion or other changing loads. The inner diameter of the matching pipe or fitting is drilled into these flanges to make sure that the flow of product is not slowed down.

Slip-on Flanges

A slip-on flange’s estimated strength under internal pressure is around two-thirds that of a weld neck flange, and its fatigue life is roughly one-third that of the latter.

Two strip welds, one on the outside and one on the interior, secure the flange to the pipe.

The X dimensions on the image are approximate: pipe wall thickness +3 mm; this gap is critical to prevent damaging the flange face during the welding operation.

One downside of the flange is that it requires pipe welding prior to the connection. A flange and elbow or flange and tee combination is not possible because such fittings lack a straight end that can completely glide into the Slip-On flange.

Socket Weld Flanges

Sockets for welding the flange were originally designed for use on small-diameter, high-pressure pipework.

They have the same static strength as Slip-On flanges but are 50% stronger in fatigue than double-welded Slip-On flanges. The pipe connection is completed with a single fillet weld on the flanges on the exterior.

Before welding, however, a gap must be formed between the flange or fitting and the pipe.

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