What is a Flanges ?
A flange is a mechanical connector used to unite two pieces of equipment, such as pipes, valves, or other machinery. It offers a technique for joining these parts together, enabling simple disassembly and maintenance. There are various Types and Standards of Flanges. The majority of flanges are composed of metal and are engineered to endure high temperatures and pressures. Flanges in construction are used for a wide variety of purposes.
What is the purpose of a Flange ?
Pipes, valves, fittings, and specialty objects like strainers and pressure vessels can all be connected with flanges. Bolting is used to connect flanges, and gaskets or other sealants are frequently used to complete the sealing process.
Types and Standards of Flanges
There are several types of flanges commonly used in various industries. Here are some of the most common types sold by the leading Flanges Manufacturers in India, Trimac Piping Solutions.
Types of Flanges:
- Weld Neck Flange: This type of flange has a long tapered neck and is typically used in high-pressure applications. It provides excellent strength and rigidity.It has a long, tapered hub that reinforces and strengthens the connection by progressively blending into the pipe or fitting it is attached to. In high-pressure applications, including the oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation industries, the Weld neck flange is frequently employed.
- Slip-On Flange: Slip-on flanges have a flat face and are slipped over the pipe before being welded in place. They are easy to install and are used in low-pressure and non-critical applications.This is meant to be welded into place after being slipped over the end of a pipe. It is one of the most widely used flange types in a variety of industries, including the petrochemical, water treatment, and oil and gas sectors.
- Blind Flange: Blind flanges are solid discs used to close the end of a pipe or vessel. They are commonly used when future expansion of the pipeline is anticipated. It is a solid disc with bolt holes that correspond to the flange’s bolt pattern. The pipe or valve is sealed off and the flow of fluid or gas is stopped by installing the blind flange by attaching it to the flange connection.
- Threaded Flange: Threaded flanges have internal threads that allow them to be screwed onto the pipe. They are used in low-pressure applications and are popular for small pipe sizes. To join pipes or fittings together, it is employed in piping systems. Its inner diameter is constructed with an external thread that may be fastened onto a similar threaded pipe or fitting.
- Socket Weld Flange: Socket weld flanges have a socket or recess that fits over the pipe end. They are welded on the outer side to provide strength and are commonly used for small-diameter, high-pressure piping systems.Instead of having a separate welding neck or hub like other flange types, it is intended to be welded directly to the pipe end. The socket or recessed area surrounding the bore of the socket weld flange enables the pipe to be entered and joined to the flanges.
- Lap Joint Flange: Lap joint flanges consist of two parts—a stub end and a loose backing flange. They are used in systems requiring frequent dismantling for inspection or cleaning. The stub end is a brief section of pipe that has a diameter slightly greater than the pipe it is joining. Its flat end is welded to the pipe or piece of machinery. A different flange called the backing flange is slid over the stub end and fastened to another flange or piece of machinery using bolts.
- Slip-On Reducing Flange: This type of flange is used to connect pipes with different diameters. It has one end with a larger diameter and the other end with a smaller diameter.To create a safe and leak-proof connection, the flange is simply slid onto the pipe end and then welded in place. Normally, the smaller end of the flange is attached to the smaller diameter pipe, while the bigger end is attached to the larger diameter pipe.
- Orifice Flange: Orifice flanges are used in flow measurement applications. They have concentric or eccentric holes for the installation of an orifice plate, which helps control fluid flow. A device called an orifice plate is put into a pipeline to create a restriction or measure flow. Typically, it contains a hole in the centre that is exactly calibrated to allow fluid to pass through. It is possible to calculate the flow rate or other fluid properties by monitoring the pressure differential across the orifice plate.
- Expander Flange: Expander flanges are used to increase the pipe size at the flange connection. They are often used in pipelines where the diameter needs to be expanded to accommodate higher flow rates. Typically, the expander flange’s smaller end is attached to the smaller pipe or fitting and its bigger end is linked to the larger pipe or fitting. The flange can be attached to a pipe end or another flange by using the bolt holes that around its perimeter.
Standards of Flanges:
As one of the leading Flange Supplier in India, our products meet all the below standards:
- ANSI/ASME B16.5: The materials and flange dimensions for pipe flanges and flanged fittings are covered by this American National Standard. It offers a thorough set of recommendations for the production, evaluation, and selection of flanges in diverse industries.
- DIN Standard:In Europe, DIN flange standards are frequently utilised. The DIN flange requirements, which encompass a variety of flange types and dimensions for various uses, are established by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation).
- JIS Standard: The size, materials, and testing specifications for flanges used in Japan are laid forth in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). JIS flanges are frequently seen in the Asian market and are created to satisfy particular geographical requirements.
Conclusion:
Flanges are crucial parts of piping systems because they guarantee secure connections and make maintenance and adjustments possible quickly. When choosing the right flange for your particular application, it is essential to understand the various flange types and the standards that go with them. Understanding flanges will help you make decisions that will improve the efficiency and durability of your piping systems.
Trimac Piping Solutions is dedicated to providing reliable and high-quality piping solutions. Whether you require flanges, fittings, or other piping components, Trimac Piping Solutions is always there for our customer’s needs and requirements.