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What Threaded Flanges Are and How Are They Used

A threaded flange is a device that connects a device that you can secure to a pipe length without the need for welding. With tapered thread, the threaded flange can be tightened onto the pipe without any leakage.

However, a seal weld is commonly used when it is appropriate. The nature of the threaded connection makes the threaded flange one of the viable options when welding is not feasible, like in explosives or highly flammable areas. The flange is commonly used only on small-diameter pipes.

threaded flange

In most refineries, manufacturing shipyards, and facilities, the highly explosive nature of the materials moved through the pipeline prohibits welding. A threaded flange is a good option in this environment when you assemble pipelines.

Using a tapered thread inside the flange, the pipe is tapered on the exterior and is threaded into the threaded flange. The flange joint becomes leak-proof and tight as the two tapers become enmeshed.

If the conditions exist that dem to be safe welding, a seal weld is occasionally placed around the junction of the flange and pipe.

Sometimes a seal weld is useful in talking about threaded connections. The special flange is usually used for the high-pressure piping system with smaller diameter applications. The larger the flange is, the harder the ability to machine a thread.

Definition

A threaded flange means the inner bore of the flange is a thread, the shape of the threaded flange is like the slip-on flange, so the threaded flange could be plate shape or with a hub for the longer threads.

Joint

The threaded pipe flange comes with a pipe connected to a pipe with an external thread on the end of the pipe. Thus, the flange thread should have the same thread specifications as the pipe thread.

The threaded flange advantage is that the piping system would be quite easy to assemble as there would not be any welding in the piping joint.

Sealing

The threaded flange is usually supplied with a flat face (FF) or raised face (RF) sealing face. When a raised face is essential for the threaded pipe flanges, the standard height needs to be 1/16” for the face under class 400.

If the threaded pipe flanges are more or the same as class 400, the threaded pipe flange raised face needs the height to be 1/4”.

The threaded pipe flange is commonly useful in small sizes and during high-pressure situations. The threaded flange does not have welding in joints, so the flange could be usable in some situations. This way, it is not possible to arrange welding work.

Uses of Threaded flanges

They are beneficial when male NPT pipe connections are useful with high or explosive reactive media. These flanges are commonly used within the oilfield service.

Variety of threaded flanges

There are many available sizes of the flange variety and many pressure ratings. Though this is the case, they are useful most frequently for small piping systems. These piping systems are usually equal to or less than four inches.

Advantages of flanges

The key advantage of the flanges is that you can connect them to the pipes without the involvement of the welding process. It is an advantage and often a necessity. It is essential in the locations and industries that deal with explosive products.

Uses of flange

The common ways where you could use these flanges are:

  • Useful in highly explosive areas
  • Useful in applications where it is hazardous to do welding
  • Flanges are highly economical and help save time
  • Useful in the piping applications of small diameter
  • Can be fitted to various pipe sizes without the need for welding
  • Useful in situations where extreme pressure is present, and post-weld treatment is not an option.
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Variety of Flanges Available at Texas Flange

The type of flange used for a piping application usually depends on the required strength for the flanged joint. Flanges are used to weld connections. In addition, it helps to facilitate maintenance operations.

Let’s dive in to show the key types of flanges with pictures.

Forged Flanges

Welding neck flange

A welding neck flange features a long tapered hub that helps weld the pipe. The flange type is normally used in high/low temperatures and high-pressure applications requiring unrestricted flow if the piping system conveys the fluid.

The absence of pressure drops prevents the adverse effects of erosion/corrosion and turbulence of the metals in the flanged joint proximity.

Long welding neck

Long weld neck flanges are quite similar to weld neck flanges. However, it comes with the exception that the neck is extended and acts like a boring extension.

Long weld neck flanges are usually used on barrels, columns, or vessels.

Slip-on flange

You can connect the slip-on flange to the pipe or the fittings by the two fillet welds, one outside and one executed inside the flange cavity.

The bore size of the slip-on flange is large than the outside diameter for pipe connection, as the pipe has to slide inside the flange that you can connect by the execution of the fillet weld.

Threaded flanges

Threaded flanges are joined to the pipes by screwing the pipe onto the flange without the seam welds. Threaded flanges are available in sizes for up to four inches and multiple pressure ratings; however, they are used mostly in low-temperature applications and small-size piping in low-pressure-like air and water utility services.

Socket weld flange

You can connect socket weld flanges to pipes with the use of a single fillet weld executed on the outer flange side.

As per the ASME B31.1, to execute the flanged connection with a socket weld, the pipe must first insert the flange’s socket until it reaches the bottom of the flange. It then needs to be lifted by 1.6 mm and welded finally.

Lap joint flange

The lap joint flange features a flat face and is always useful in conjunction with the stub end. Lap joint flanges usually resemble the shape of slip-on flanges, except for the radius at the flange face crossing and the bore to accommodate the flanged portion of the stub end.

When we talk about the lap joint flange, it can slip over the pipe and seats on the back of the stub end, and you can keep the two together by the pressure of the bolts.

Blind flanges

Contrary to all the flange types above, blind flanges do not have a center hole. Therefore, you can use the seal or blind in a pipeline or a pressure/valve vessel to block the fluid of the liquid.

Blind flanges need to withstand remarkable mechanical stress due to the system pressure and required bolting forces.

You can easily access the blind flanges to the pipeline, as they can be easily unbolted to let the operator execute the activities while inside the terminal end of the pipe.

Interestingly, while this flange type is easy to manufacture, it is sold at the average premium cost per kg compared to the other flange types.

Special types of flanges

The special types of flanges include:

1. Nipoflange

2. Weldoflange

3. Latroflange or Elboflange

4. Swivel flange

5. Expanding flange

6. Reducing flange

Conclusion

The flanges mentioned above are usually the top flanges available to us. However, you can get in touch with Texas flange if you are looking for top-quality flanges. You can also contact us for any queries regarding the flange function.

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What Are Forged Stainless Steel Flanges Used For?

Forged steel flanges are the connection fitting useful to connect larger pipes. The flanges are made of alloys and stainless steel to give strength to the extension pipe.

These forged stainless steel flanges are useful in plumbing and mechanical industries. The flanges are round, making it easy to combine the piping systems quite effortlessly.

Forged Flanges

Forged stainless steel flanges for Mechanical industries

The forged stainless steel flanges give reliable quality, high performance, and connecting operations. The relevant components are valuably designed with the right dimension in size.

Thus, it will be the right choice to hire new projects for engineering in industries. These forged stainless steel flanges are manufactured with corrosion resistance. It can also withstand temperature and heat as per atmospheric conditions.

Standard dimension

The forged steel flanges come in different standards, including in countries like Korea, Australia, Europe, and the USA. Each stand is used in all the everyday worlds. So the fitting size may vary per the dimension size of the pipes worldwide.

As per the pipe size, the standard code dimension is ASME B16. So the flanges of inch ¼ to 24 inches with standard Class 150 to 2500.

There are high chances of flanges being forged or otherwise in a cast. It is based on the type of work done by engineers. These flanges easily defect the issues caused by the industrial pipes. They are pretty much more substantial when compared to cast iron. The industries choose the type of forged steel flanges to complete the work simply.

Options for stainless steel manufacturing

Once you choose the optimal steel structure and grade to manufacture the process, you may need to compare the manufacturing options. Whether you choose stainless steel machining, casting, or forging plays a critical role in the work pieces’ reliability, affordability, and precision.

These include:

  • Forging
  • Casting
  • Machining

Why choose forged stainless steel flanges?

The forged stainless steel flanges come in with high performance, giving reliable quality with connecting operations. The relevant components are valuably designed with proper dimensions in size.

These steel flanges are manufactured with corrosion resistance. It can also withstand temperature and heat as per atmospheric conditions. The stand is used in all everyday worlds, so the fitting size may vary per the pipes’ dimension size.

Stainless steel bar suppliers for pipe fitting

The suppliers of the stainless steel flange industry are quite high. It gives sufficient fitting material to the customers. They supply products all over the different mechanical industries.

They are the standard stainless steel bar suppliers in manufacturing the right product in the world. They were exporting more stainless steel bars and carbon steel flanges to the sites.

These include:

  • Supplying the different carbon flanges with high quality.
  • Experts in the manufacturing of steel bars.
  • More corrosion-resistant materials.
  • Provides sufficient forged stainless steel flanges to the clients.
  • The leading manufacturer in stainless steel bars suppliers.

Advantages of stainless steel forging

The forging process is highly refined and needs multiple steps. From tool creation and raw material procurement to the final inspection and heat treating, it takes the necessary time to create a product that lasts longer and performs better.

Here are the advantages of stainless steel forging:

  • Improved heat resistance
  • Increased corrosion resistance
  • Oxide layer protection

Conclusion

If you choose the forged stainless steel flanges, hiring new engineers in the industries is right. The suppliers come with industry professionals who give suitable fitting materials to the sites. Prominently they are engaged in manufacturing compact designs in stainless steel flanges for clients.

The supply of carbon steel flanges is adequate, so the engineering works and the plan’s execution are done. The manufacture of all the appropriate materials is combined and gives the clients feasible advantages.

You can contact Texas flange if you want the best quality forged steel flanges. We will help your brand outgrow with reasonable prices even during a crisis.

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How to Use Long Weld Neck Flanges in Industrial Applications

Today in the US, hundreds of billions of tons of liquid petroleum products and trillions of tons of cubic feet of natural gas are crisscrossing the nation in the pipe that needs to be connected. For the majority of connections, the long weld neck flange is the one that does the job.

Weld-neck flanges

Weld neck pipe comes in two different neck sizes: long weld neck flange and standard weld neck flange. This blog will discuss the long weld neck flange and its use in industrial applications.

Meaning of a long weld neck flange

Long weld neck flanges (known as LWN) comes with an extended neck that acts as a boring extension. It is also longer compared to the standard weld neck flange.

Welded neck flanges are easy to recognize because they have a long tapered hub that reduces the size from the pipe to the fitting. Industrial long weld neck flanges are also useful in high-pressure industrial applications and high-temperature situations.

Long weld neck flanges are often useful in the petrochemical, gas, and oil industries. They come with nozzles and are useful in replacing the pipes. While a standard weld neck flange’s tip has a weld prep at its neck, long weld neck flanges come in a variety of lengths, with the most common being 9 inches, 12 inches, and 16 inches.

Unfortunately, lengths are based on the parts for every application, so there’s no universal standard length existence for these industrial-long neck flanges.

Long weld neck flanges come with the beveled flange to fit right with the pipe for added strength. Long weld neck flange connections help to improve the pipe flow. Additionally, piping systems are safer when reinforced with long weld neck flanges. It is the type of flange that helps balance the temperature and pressure changes in the liquid that flows in the pipeline.

Long weld neck flanges are often found as anchors in the water mains. The reason is that they can withstand higher pressures; you can connect larger networks of pipes, like those in a factory. You can also use long weld neck flanges in the expansion bends or to reduce or extend pipe sizes.

Why choose long weld neck flanges?

Industrial long weld neck flanges offer additional reinforcement that standard weld neck flanges do not. The long neck guides the pipe into the flange, giving them extra strength.

The extra assurance helps to ensure the safety of the structure, environment, and people when high-pressure fluids and high-temperature are involved. The structure reinforcement provided by an industrial-long weld neck flange is crucial to the stability and safety of industrial and high-pressure commercial systems.

The function of long weld neck flanges

The long weld neck flanges are useful in the following places:

Large pipe networks

Industrial long weld neck flanges are the safest and best choice, whether it is a water main, gas main, or another large piping network. Large networks need high pressure to keep everything in the pipes moving. It results in the strain on smaller pipes and may end up damaging if not accounted for correctly, and this is where industrial long weld neck flanges help.

Office complexes and apartment buildings

Like with any other large pipe network, high pressures are required to keep everything on the move. For that reason, you will commonly find long weld neck flanges that lead into these buildings.

Volatile or hazardous fluids

Wild temperature swings from sub-zero to near-boiling and high pressures may wear on the pipes and fittings used to transport the fluid. Long weld neck flanges may help cut costs by reinforcing the pipes used in high-pressure, high-temperature situations.

Conclusion

Industrial long weld neck flanges are game-changers for high-temperature, high-pressure, or otherwise dangerous amounts of fluid that need transportation. The added strength lent by these pieces helps to ensure the stability, security, and safety of the piping and structures that industrialists depend on daily.

Our team at Texas Flange is experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to assist you with any questions about the best products for your project. Give us a call today!

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What is the Function of Flanges and How Do They Work?

The flange industry is wide, and it offers customers a reliable way to connect pipe systems with the various valves, equipment, and other components of virtually any processing system. Flanges are the second most used joining method after welding.

Custom Pipe Flange Fittings

If you use flanges, it adds flexibility when you need to maintain piping systems. It also allows for easy disassembly and improved access to system components.

A typical flanged connection is comprised of three parts:

  • Bolting
  • Gasket
  • Pipe flanges

In many cases, specific bolting and gasket materials are made from the same or approved materials as the piping components you wish to connect. For example, stainless steel flanges are the top choice among some of the most common flanges. However, flanges are available in a wide range of materials, so matching them with your needs is crucial.

Other common flange materials include Chrome Moly, Inconel, Monel, and many others, depending on the application.

The best option for your needs depends on the system in which you intend to use the flange and your specific requirements.

Common flange types and characteristics

Flanges are not a one-type-fits-all kind of solution. If we keep the sizing aside, matching the ideal flange design to your piping system and intended usage will help to ensure optimal pricing, a long service life, and reliable operation.

Here are the most commonly available flange types:

Threaded flanges

It is also known as a screwed flange and has a style with thread inside. The flange bore fits with the matching male thread on the fitting or pipe. The threaded connections mean you can avoid welding in many use cases. If you simply match the threading o the pipes, you wish to connect.

Socket-weld flanges

Ideal for small pipe diameters in low-pressure and low-temperature scenarios, socket-weld flanges feature a connection where you place the pipe into the flange and then secure the connection with a single multi-pass fillet weld. As a result, it makes the style simpler to install compared to other welded flange types while avoiding the limitations associated with the threaded ends.

Slip-on flanges

Slip-on flanges are quite common and are available in large-size ranges. It can accommodate systems with high flow rates and throughput. You intend to connect if you match the flange to the outer pipe diameter. Installation is slightly more as you will need to fillet the weld on both sides to secure the pipe flange.

Lap joint flanges

Lap joint flanges require butt welding of the stub end to the fitting or pipe with a backing flange to create a flanged connection. The design makes this style popular for use in systems with physical systems or space that requires frequent maintenance and dismantling.

Weld neck flanges

Weld neck flanges need butt welding for installation. However, its performance, integrity in the systems with multiple repeat bends, and the ability to use them at high temperatures and high pressure make them a top choice for processing piping.

Blind flanges

Useful for isolation or terminating piping systems, blind flanges are essentially boltable blank discs. When you install them properly and combine them with the correct gaskets, it can achieve an outstanding seal that is easy to remove when needed.

Specialty flanges

The flanges types listed above are quite common. However, various specialized flange types are available to suit various environments and uses. Other options include reducing flanges, orifice, expanding flanges, weld flanges, and nipo flanges.

Flange Facing Types: Making the connection

The design is just a start when you consider the ideal flange for your piping system. Face types are another characteristic that greatly impacts your flanges’ service life and final performance.

Facing types determine the gaskets required to install the characteristics and the flange related to the seal created.

Common face types include:

  • Flat Face (FF)
  • Raised Face (RF)
  • Ring Joint Face (RTJ)
  • Tongue and Groove (T&G)
  • Male & Female (M&F)

Most face types offer one of the two finishes: smooth or serrated. Choosing between the options is crucial as it will determine the optimal gasket for a reliable seal. In general, smooth faces work best with metallic gaskets, while serrated faces help create stronger seals with soft material gaskets.

Flanges Dimensions: The Proper Fit

Apart from the functional flange design, flange dimensions are the most likely factor that impacts the flange choices when updating, maintaining, or designing a piping system. First, however, you must consider how the flange interfaces with the pipe and the gaskets in use to ensure proper sizing.

Common considerations include:

  • Nominal bore size
  • Pipe size
  • Bolt circle diameter
  • Thickness
  • Outside diameter

Flange classification and service ratings

The above characteristics will influence how the flange performs across various environments and processes.

Flanges are often classified based on their ability to withstand pressures and temperatures. It is designated using a number and either ‘class,’ ‘lb,’ or ‘#’ suffix. These suffixes are interchangeable but will differ based on the vendor or region.

Common classifications include:

  • 150#
  • 300#
  • 600#
  • 900#
  • 1500#
  • 2500#

Flange markings and standards

To make the comparison easy, flanges fall under global standards established by the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) – ASME B16.5 & B16.47.

If you are attempting to verify or replace the existing parts, all flanges must include the markers, typically on their outer perimeter, to aid in the process.

Conclusion

The above guide offers you a solid foundation of the basics of flange design and how to choose the ideal flange for your piping system. However, with a wide range of stainless steel flanges or other available flange materials, it is impossible to list every consideration, detail, or configuration.

You can contact Texas flange if you want the best quality flanges or have any queries regarding the flange function.

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What are Carbon Steel Flanges and Their Applications?

A flange is one of the internal or external edges, or a rim (lip), for power like the iron plate flange such as T-beam or I-beam; for the attachment to another component like the flange that is at the steam lever, end of the screw, etc. or a camera lens mount, railcar flange or tram wheel flange.

Carbon Steel flange

Hence, the flanged wheels are the wheels at one side with the flange to prevent the wheels from slipping off the tracks. The word ‘flange’ is used for the flange shapes for a type of device. Flanged pipes may be quickly disassembled and installed.

Types of carbon steel flanges

The flanges are popular for the long conical collar. With the accompanying wire, the end is welded to the bottom. The tube’s inner diameter is the same as that of the flange. The feature of wp11 fittings is a stable segment conduit with less chance of creating friction in the liquids or gases that flow through it. The smooth transformation and long arm of the same thickness produce these flanges. It is useful in extreme jobs where heavy stresses are applied.

Sliding flanges (slip-on)

The tube penetrates the cube in the same as in the flange form without touching the place of the touch face to which it is connected through external and internal welding seams.

Owing to the low accuracy of the tube duration and better place flexibility, it can be regarded as easier compared to the neck flange. Its mechanical conditions are usually fine for exhaustion and resistance but weaker than the neck flanges.

Blind flanges

Due to various operating pressures, it is designed to cover the ends of tube openings, valves, or tubing. The form of WPHY 42 Fitting is, from a technological point of view, something that can endure the most extreme working conditions. In the terminals where the temperature is a vector or function element or cyclic movements, it is advisable to render the closures by blind flanges and coupling necks.

Threaded flanges

Welding characteristics do not bear for making fast and simple assembly. It is used for specific applications (for instance, in pipelines with atmospheric temperatures and elevated pressures). Using them in ducts where there’s a large temperature difference is not feasible.

Use of Carbon Steel

Carbon steel or medium carbon steel is a metal element. It is a mixture of carbon and iron components. Many components are too small to influence their properties in amounts. In pure carbon steel, the other permitted elements are copper (0.60 percent max), silicon (0.60 percent max), and manganese (1.65 percent max).

With more carbon content, the carbon steel flanges achieve toughness and strength but are less tough and ductile to weld. Higher carbon content may decrease the flange’s melting point and its total temperature tolerance.

Carbon Steel Flange Function

Forged flanges are less carbon-free compared to molten flanges. The reason is that they do not oxidize quickly. They are flat, the construction is lightweight, and the molten flange comes with superior mechanical properties. Improper methods of forging may often result in irregular and broad grains. It is required to harden the forging and cracking than the casting flange.

As per the manufacturing cycle, the forging flange has few operational theories in the carbon steel flanges. However, the usage and production method of the carbon steel flange provide a specific operation theory. Its basic philosophy is to use the insulation efficiency of the carbon steel flange isolating gasket.

Insulation with the high-duty carbon steel flange, carbon steel flanges on both sides of the electrical insulation flange of the plant. Many galvanized and iron tubing, which are heavier than concrete, are used (canned) than steel.

Conclusion

Carbon steel flanges are corrosion resistant and have a wide variety of uses. At Texas Flange, we have a variety of slip-on flanges, weld neck flanges, threaded flanges, and carbon steel flanges to your specifications.

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Different Types of Flanges for Piping

A flange is a device that is useful for connecting two pipes. It can also help connect the pipe to a choke, valve, tee, or other equipment to form a piping system.

The flanges are pipeline elements that allow the assembly of the parts. It is an element supplied as a separate part or a part attached from the factory to an element such as a pump, valve, or another.

The flange is a type of coupling that can join two lines together with the help of gaskets and bolts in between them. The flange is not something that will individually make the joint. Instead, it can be described as the combination of two flanges or the bolting of two flanges. There would be a gasket in between these flanges.

The gasket between the flanges would give the bolts and seal a force required to seat the gasket and hold the joint together. The flange provides the surface for the gasket to seal and carry the applied force around the gasket. The joint may allow easy reassembly and removal or piping of components.

Flange characteristics

There are a few characteristics of flanges. These include:

# Holes are drilled accurately in the flange for easy assembly.

# The spot facing would ensure the seating of the fasteners

# To obtain maximum strength, the grain flow is controlled

# Unrestricted flow is obtained by accurate and smooth bore

# Good welding is facilitated by machined land and bevel

# To ensure true alignments, all faces are machined within tolerances

Uses of flanges

The need for flanges is increasing every day. Flanges are used for many industrial applications and are one of the best coupling methods to join two pipes. A flange would work properly if the components of the flange function in the right manner.

Flanged joints are useful for the ease of maintenance. Flanges are used when the joints need to dismantle. Specific pipeline maintenance needs it frequently, so the breakout flanges are useful at definite intervals on pipelines.

Need for a gasket in the valve and pipeline

A malleable gasket that could be hard or soft is inserted between the flanges to prevent leaks. Pressure is applied to the gasket by bolting or using a clamp to compress the gasket firmly at a place. The gaskets are made with different materials and can be selected per the process’s temperature and characteristics.

Gaskets are used in a valve to help prevent leakage in the closure mechanism. It also helps to prevent the leakage of fluid into the atmosphere. It is useful in the valves that allow the function of internal mechanisms. It depends on the separate fluid chambers like the pressure balance trim.

Types of flanges

There are different types of flanges for piping. These include:

flanges for piping

Weld neck flanges

The flange type is attached to the pipe by butt welding. These flanges are used for critical services. It is suitable to handle extreme temperatures and pressure because of these features. The flanges are useful mostly for refinery and petrochemical plants. The bores of both the flange and pipe match and it would reduce the erosion and turbulence inside the pipeline.

Slip-on flange

The flange is slipped over the pipe and gets a fillet welded. There will be two kinds of fillet welds, and these welds are at the outside and inside of the flange. The flange connection type is quite fragile compared to the weld neck flange.

Socket weld flange

It is the type of flange bored only at one side. These flanges are helpful for only small-bore lines. The bore of the pipe and bore are the same. Thus it possesses a good flow characteristic. The flange type will be welded to the ID of the pipe and counter board slightly larger than the OD of the pipe. It allows the pipe to be welded and inserted in place.

Threaded flanges

These flanges are made of steel and are useful for special applications. The main advantage of this flange is that you can connect it to the pipe without welding. However, in specific cases, a seal weld is useful in conjunction with the threaded connection.

Blind flanges

These flanges are useful to close the ends that need reopening later. In addition, the flanges are used to blank off the ends of pressure vessel openings, valves, and piping.

The construction of these flanges is done without a bore, from the standpoint of bolt loading and internal pressure. The blind flanges, which come in a larger size, are the most highly stressed flange types.

Lap joint flanges

The type of flange useful in the stub ends when piping costs much. The flanges are cost-effective; the stub must match the flange and pipe in an expensive pipe like stainless steel. The flange can be made of cheap carbon steel material.

Long weld neck flange

The type of flange is similar to the weld neck flanges, and one difference is that their neck is extended and acts as a boring extension. The flange is mostly used on barrels, columns, and vessels.

Orifice flanges

The flanges are useful when an orifice plate or flow nozzle needs an installation. Pairs of pressure tapings are machined into the orifice flanges. Thus it makes separate tappings or carriers in the pipe walls.

Whether you need weld neck flanges, blind flanges, or any other more specialized option, finding something that works well for you must not be tough. At Texas Flange, you get to take a look at different options here.

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Top 3 Advantages of Choosing Custom Pipe Fittings

There are multiple pipelines spread across the US that are used to deliver trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and tons of liquid petroleum all year round. While most of these pipes are joined conventionally, there are instances where there may be a need to use custom pipe fittings to support and join pipes. Usually, custom pipe fittings are created when the required couplets or fittings need to match a custom or unique design.

Custom Pipe Flange Fittings

Meaning of custom flanges

Custom flanges or non-standard flanges mean the flanges do not meet the international standards of flanges; custom flanges are instead designed for a special application.

A flange has many dimensions to design in the flange standards and the dimensions are indicated clearly. When a company designs and produces custom flanges, they do not follow any references or have any standards, but they need to confirm the dimensions. As a company, when you approach a business-like Texas Flange, it is best to show all the requirements and details you require.

The creation of custom pipe fittings is possible with software, allowing the designer to tweak part properties like system definition, shape, and size.

Advantages of custom pipe flanges

There are multiple advantages to using custom couplets or pipe fittings, which will be discussed below in three sections.

Build for the job

In a few instances, when people fail to find a fitting to match the pipe system in place, they usually use wooden props and blocks as alternatives. While it may seem innovative, it provides a quick solution but will not stand the test of time.

It is advisable to use a professional pipe support system when working with pipe systems. Investing in the best products available due to the large quantities in an order will be better suited for the business.

Flexible design

Custom pipe flanges are designed to suit many different applications and for specific purposes, but you will not need to worry about them not fitting in the pipes correctly. Custom pipe fittings allow you to work with any type of piping material but are a test as they hold weights of more than 8,000 pounds.

Despite the situation you are dealing with, they are designed to handle strain to an extent.

Professional advice at your disposal

When you think about using custom pipe flanges and make a plan, you won’t just acquire a perfect product but will obtain a network of experienced professionals who can stand by the quality of the product. Designers who work on custom pipe flanges can address all the concerns and questions you may have when it comes to your project.

The above are three main advantages of using custom pipe flanges which are made to suit the exact piping you are working with but also offer the perfect solutions to all your piping concerns.

If you need help for your next business project and wish to get the best custom pipe flanges, contact Texas Flange. Our knowledgeable team members will be happy to assist you and help you point in the direction.

 

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When and Why Should You Use Flange Fittings?

Flange fittings are the components helpful in joining the pipe sections together with other fluid control products like pumps and valves to create pipelines. The common connotation for the term fittings is associated with the ones which are helpful for plastic and metal pipes carrying fluids.

However, other pipe fittings help connect pipes for handrails and other architectural elements, where providing a leak-proof connection is unnecessary. You may be more familiar with those in your day-to-day life.

Flange Fittings

About Flange Fittings

Flange fittings may be mechanically joined, threaded or welded, and chemically adhered  (to name the most common mechanisms depending on the pipe material).

There’s been an inconsistency in terminology surrounding tubing, tube, and pipe. Therefore, the term pipe fittings will be mentioned sometimes in tubing specs. While similar to tube fittings, pipe fittings are joined by methods like soldering and less like common welds. Few ways tend to overlap, like compression fittings, but where these are commonplace for connecting tubing or tubes, their use in pipe connections is rare.

Use of alternate flange fittings in other industries

The fluid power industry is shifting to connections with an elastomeric O-ring seal. It helps to minimize leakages. These fittings include the threaded face seal, ISO 6149, SAE J518, flange fittings, and flanges (Code 62 and Code 61), where the O-ring seal is compatible with the fluid.

A captive flange is often practical when you fit tube-to-tube (or hose or pipe). Captive flange fittings slip over the flared tubes and have an excellent connection to the mating flange or other components. Captive flanges are commonly used with MJ-Flange Straight fittings. There is a smooth clearance to slide over the fittings and seat on the head of the flange. Split flanges are helpful with 90 or 45 flange fittings.

Benefits of flange fittings

Even though there are specific applications where flange fittings and flanges are the only choices, flanges provide benefits to the piping system that traditional hydraulic fitting types do not give. For example, in the ones with larger OD applications, flanges can connect to the pipe and components ports more easily than adapters or threaded fittings. Most importantly, in most of the severe service applications on mobile construction equipment, flanged connections are best for:

  • Easy assembly in tight spaces where wrenches might not have clearance to install the traditional flange fittings. They are more easily assembled with moderate torque.
  • These are hard-to-reach areas that require flexibility. For example, it needs to eliminate the need for pipe or hose lines, adapters in the tube, etc.
  • Pipe, tube, or extensive hose connections where high pressure, vibration, shock, and pressure surges are present could damage the traditional large hydraulic fitting more easily.
  • It makes connections that allow easy maintenance in rigid lines like continuous metal tubes and pipes.
  • Reduce the chances of components becoming loose in rigorous hydraulic applications.

When to use flange fitting

With flange connections in this larger size, high-pressure circumstances allow for easier assembly than overusing the large fittings. In addition, the flange fittings have a zero-clearance assembly, easy disconnecting, and reconnecting to maintain manifold, tube, and hose connections. As a result, it can be much faster and can provide for more accurate torque of the bolts instead of achieving the proper torque of a large fitting.

Conclusion

Flange fittings connections are much less likely to be loosened than the standard hydraulic fitting with the proper load distribution of clamping around the flange head. On the other hand, flange connections are the best option for hose-end connections with bends. This is because they are subjected to very high lateral forces inclined to cause assembly loosening.

If you are interested in flange fittings, contact Texas Flange today!

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Repair and Maintenance of Industrial Flanges

At the most basic level, flanges are helpful to add connecting joints, structures, or mechanical parts within an assembly. However, if we talk about pipe fittings, flanges are needed to support, connect, close, and cover systems ranging from basic plumbing to industrial networks.

There are a few useful introductions about the flange cover, high-temperature flange sealing, and flange packing system.

Flange joint (Flange cover)

The use of flange covers is mainly for anticorrosion and flange connection in all industries. The flange head of the product is to produce the flange surface (ring joint or raised surface). It is gaskets and double-ends studs free from corrosion, and the product is suitable for 316 non-metallic (plastic) and stainless steel. Its manufacturing dimensions are ½-144 inch ANSI, AWWA, and API flange connection diameter. A flange sealing system combined with the flange packing is useful in a harsh environment for protection.

Structure of flange sealing cover:

. 316 SS worm gear fixture;
. 316 stainless steel castings;
. 316 stainless steel belt or non-metallic belt;
. ECH rubber pad (temperature: from – 34.4°C to 149°C) safety relief valve can    release 5 psi;
. The chlorinated rubber layer of the sealing groove (temperature: –           34.4°C to 82°C).

The high-quality flange sealing cover is that it is easy to connect, detect and install. In addition, the durability and stability of the UV non-metallic materials make them a good option for reuse.

Packing systems of industrial flanges

It is suitable for the temperature of 80°C. Flange packing is unique and solves corrosion for a long time.

Flange packing is a type of composite polymer polarity based on coating. Paste form makes it reusable without pretreatment. In addition, the viscoelastic formulation allows the materials to lower into the gap and space, resulting in the excellent seal used against corrosion.

Because of its easy use and money and time-saving capacity, the packing system provides long-term protection.

When we talk about the properties of flange packing, keep this in mind that it can be an excellent bonding to steel and iron, FB (melting epoxy powder) polyurethane. Polyethylene high resistance is the temperature and weathering of anti-salt ranging from 51°C to 80°C filling the voids.

The flange surface can be reused/removed without preprocessing using a gas or manual gun with a flexible gun that you can inject gently. It can also ensure that the ring slot is filled with the CZ winding tape before sealing it.

Different packing systems for flanges

Below are a few different systems that are used for packing the flanges:

. E-2400/E2000 is useful to protect the steel flange, structure, pipe, and bold from corrosion by a non-electrolytic method.. E-2400/E2000 is a high-temperature antiseptic flange packing that helps protect the flange connection from corrosion at the temperature of 149°C.
. E-2400/E2000 high-temperature flange packing suits the 149°C well.
. ASTM-B1117 salt spray test was used on the nut bolt assembly for 2000 hours of testing. The area protected by the E2000/2400 may rotate with the hand. Proper use of E2000/2400 may help protect the flange connection from corrosion.

Sealing of high-temperature flanges

High-temperature flange parts usually need to be flat and high-temperature sealed. If there is no additional sealing with good sealant in the separate pressure region, flange part, or if it is affected by the pressure, it may lead to manufacturing deformation or inaccuracy. It is to say that, in separate pressure areas, the leakage phenomenon under pressure needs to plan repaired. High temperature and high-quality sealing may make it in the standard applications of the gas engine, steam engine, or high-temperature flange. It helps keep the inert so that it is easy to bear the heat with lubricant, light fuel oil, water, steam, or air.

Conclusion

The high temperature in flanges is suitable for the condition as it has high requirements for the temperature and pressure of flat and smooth flat sealing surfaces. Sealing products will not cure, and their consistency may change to maintain elasticity and flexibility, so there are no time requirements. It may be immediately put into operation after the construction. If the users need to repair the damage to the high-temperature sealing surface, it must coordinate with the repair products.

Visit Texas Flange today for more information on the repair and maintenance of industrial flanges!