Four Things You Need to Know About Flanges

 

1. What is a Flange?

Flange is a major component that is used for connecting two pipes. A flange connects the ends of two pipes through threading or welding. Flanges are classified into two big categories according to attended modes: threaded connection (screwed threaded) flanges and welding flanges. If two pipes are arranged to be connected, a pair of flanges, a gasket and several bolts and nuts are required to complete the flange joint. First, one must place the gasket between two sealing faces. Then, one should tighten the bolts. When the gasket surface pressure reaches a certain level, it would be deformed to fill the uneven parts of the sealing surface to achieve the perfect leak tightness.

Mechanical components are indispensable in many mechanical types of equipment. Flanges all work together to drive the industrial process to proceed at a smooth pace. With the great variety of the mechanical fittings, flanges are popular in many situations. A flange is generally an extension of a structure, and is usually used to increase the strength of a structure, to keep a particular object in place or to combine two parts together.

It should be mentioned that these flange pieces should be designed and manufactured under some regulations. Otherwise, these fitting would result in poor performance, even leading to the unexpected industrial accidents. In fact, there are two main organizations responsible for most standards. The flanges fittings are mainly set by the American National Standards Institution and American Petroleum Institute, so the dimensions of the flanges are restrictively regulated.

 

2. What are Flanges made of?

The manufacturing materials for producing flanges are generally easy to access. Flanges can be made from stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and plastic. These are all in great demand. As a matter of fact, every material holds its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the stainless steel is able to be with good durability, being used in situations requiring good tolerance.

Varying on the different manufacturing materials and required dimensions, flanges can be made into a wide range of the types. Most of the time, this fitting is used to attach two ends of the pipes together. At this moment, some securing bolts are needed during the connecting process. It is important to consider the specific requirements, the faces of the flanges vary. Generally, the face is designed to be a tongue and groove. For instance, there is a kind of the flange which is called the ring joint. A flange fitting generally covers the entire face, this includes the internal and external portions of the bolts. The slim surface would give great benefit to the whole operating process.

 

3. How do you Classify Flanges?

The shape is the most obvious method to classify the different types of flanges. However, there are other ways to classify flanges, which are: – 

  • Grade of Material 
  • The Type of Flange face (raised, flat, ring joint, male and female, tongue and groove, lap joint)
  • The flange finish (smooth, serrated, stock)
  • The dimensions of flanges (nominal size and pressure rating)

 

4. How Many Types of Flanges are Available?

Shinsei Industry Sdn Bhd produces a wide range of flanges, here are a few common types of flanges: –

  1. Slip-on Flanges
  2. Blind Flanges
  3. Lap-Joint Flanges
  4. Socket Weld Flanges
  5. Threaded Flanges
  6. Weld-Neck Flanges
  7. Orifice Flanges
  8. Groove Flanges / Tongue Flanges
  9. Long Neck Flanges
  10. Spectacle Flanges
  11. Expanding flanges
  12. Reducing flanges
  13. Swivel ring flanges

 

Overall, flanges are available in different sizes and materials, and each type of flange makes its own contribution in the development of the entire industrial process.