Flanges are highly useful components that are essential for piping systems. If you’re purchasing or working with flanges, it’s crucial to understand the various standards and specifications associated with them. Whether you’re selecting blind pipe flanges or socket weld flanges, if you make the wrong choices, you might have a big problem on your hands. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know.

A Quick Peek Flange Standards

There are a few different standards for flanges, and they may vary by country, industry, or other factors. This can make selecting flanges rather difficult, so it’s wise to partner with a trusted flange supplier. You can lean on their expert advice to ensure that you make the right choice.

In the United States, the most widely used standards are probably those put forward by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ANSI B16.5 standard covers many factors, including tolerances, dimensions, markings, and testing for several different types of flanges. Covered components include slip-on, weld neck, lap joint, threaded, socket-weld, and blind pipe flanges.

There are other standards that are used for flanges, including those set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Which standard is right for you depends on the specifics of your industry and project.

A Quick Review of Different Types of Flanges

Slip-on flanges are one of the most common types, and as the name implies, they slip on over pipes. A weld neck flange will match a pipe’s interior dimensions and will be welded into place. A blind pipe flange is used to seal either the entrance or exit of a pipe. Lap joint flanges paired with stub end fittings are ideal if frequent dismantling is required. Threaded flanges are a wise selection if you don’t want to deal with welding.

As you can see, there are many different types of flanges. Not all flanges are equal in quality, and some may be more prone to failure than others.

You also need to consider forged vs. cast flanges. Between these two options, forged flanges often offer better performance. A study conducted by the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department at the University of Toledo found that forged parts had a 26% higher tensile strength than the same cast parts.

Whether you need blind pipe flanges, weld neck flanges, slip-on flanges, or any other flange type, it’s vital to partner with a reputable flange supplier. Given the stakes of many projects, it’s critical to select the right components. If you’re looking for high-quality flanges for a piping system of any kind, contact Lynco Flange & Fitting today to learn more about our products.