Flange Types & Applications
Flanges are essential components used to create secure, serviceable and pressure-rated connections in industrial piping systems. Different flange designs are selected according to the pipe arrangement, pressure, temperature, maintenance requirements and operating environment.
Vandan Alloys supplies a wide range of industrial flanges in different materials, sizes, pressure classes, facing configurations and international standards for piping and engineering applications.
Weld Neck Flanges
Weld Neck Flanges are designed with a tapered hub and are normally butt welded to the pipe. Their geometry provides a strong connection and makes them suitable for demanding piping systems.
They are commonly used in oil & gas, petrochemical, refinery, power generation and high-pressure process piping.
Blind Flanges
Blind Flanges are used to close the end of a pipe, nozzle or piping system. They can also provide access for future system modifications or maintenance.
Blind flanges are widely used for pressure testing, isolation points, pipelines, vessels, tanks and process equipment.
Slip-On Flanges
Slip-On Flanges are fitted over the pipe and generally secured by fillet welding. They are often selected for applications where straightforward installation and fabrication are preferred.
Typical applications include general industrial piping, water systems, low-to-medium pressure services and utility lines.
Socket Weld Flanges
Socket Weld Flanges are designed for smaller-diameter piping where the pipe is inserted into the flange bore and welded.
They are commonly used in instrumentation, chemical processing, hydraulic systems and high-pressure small-bore piping.
Threaded Flanges
Threaded Flanges have internal threads that allow connection to externally threaded pipe without welding.
They can be useful where welding is undesirable or impractical, particularly in certain utility, maintenance and low-pressure piping applications.
Lap Joint Flanges
Lap Joint Flanges are used together with a separate stub end. The flange itself does not require direct welding to the pipe, allowing it to be rotated for easier bolt-hole alignment.
They are particularly useful where frequent dismantling, inspection or maintenance is expected.
Orifice Flanges
Orifice Flanges are used with an orifice plate assembly for measuring fluid flow through a piping system.
They are commonly found in process plants, oil & gas facilities, chemical industries and flow measurement systems.
Long Weld Neck Flanges
Long Weld Neck Flanges have an extended neck that can provide additional support and a smooth transition from the flange to the pipe.
They are used in selected high-pressure, high-temperature and vessel or process equipment connections.
RTJ Flanges
Ring Type Joint (RTJ) Flanges use a metallic ring gasket seated in specially machined grooves to create a high-integrity sealing connection.
RTJ configurations are commonly selected for high-pressure and high-temperature oil & gas, refinery and petrochemical applications.
Plate Flanges
Plate Flanges are manufactured from plate material and are commonly used in piping and fabrication applications where the required standard and design permit their use.
They are available in different materials, dimensions and drilling configurations according to the application.
Flange Facing Types
The flange face plays an important role in gasket selection and sealing performance.
Common facing configurations include:
Raised Face (RF) – widely used for industrial piping and process applications.
Flat Face (FF) – commonly selected for applications where flat mating surfaces are required.
Ring Type Joint (RTJ) – designed for high-integrity sealing in demanding pressure and temperature services.
The facing should always be compatible with the mating flange and gasket arrangement.
Flange Applications by Industry
Industrial flanges are used across many sectors, including:
Oil & Gas: Pipelines, valves, pressure equipment and process piping.
Petrochemical & Refinery: Process lines, vessels, pumps and equipment connections.
Chemical Industry: Corrosive and process-fluid piping systems.
Power Plants: Steam, cooling water and utility piping.
Water Treatment: Water distribution, pumps, filtration and treatment systems.
Marine: Piping systems and equipment requiring corrosion-resistant materials.
Pharmaceutical & Food Processing: Hygienic and process piping applications where suitable stainless steel grades are specified.
Engineering & Fabrication: Equipment connections, skids, structural piping and custom fabrication.
How to Select the Right Flange
The correct flange should be selected by considering several technical factors:
Material Grade – Select a material compatible with the fluid and operating environment.
Flange Type – Choose WNRF, Blind, Slip-On, Socket Weld or another configuration according to the piping design.
Pressure Class – Confirm the required pressure rating and applicable standard.
Size & Dimensions – Match the nominal pipe size and required flange dimensions.
Facing – Select RF, FF or RTJ according to the mating component and gasket system.
Temperature & Service Conditions – Consider operating temperature, corrosion exposure and mechanical requirements.
Applicable Standard – Confirm ASME, EN, DIN, JIS, BS or another specified dimensional standard.
Flange Materials
Flanges can be supplied in a wide range of materials depending on service requirements.
Common materials include:
Stainless Steel: 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 347, 310, 310S and 904L.
Duplex & Super Duplex: Duplex 2205 and Super Duplex 2507.
Carbon & Alloy Steel: ASTM A105 and other specified grades.
Nickel Alloys: Inconel, Incoloy, Monel, Hastelloy and other special alloys.
Material selection should be based on the actual application and project specification.
Flange Standards & Pressure Classes
Depending on the requirement, flanges can be supplied to recognized standards such as:
ASME B16.5, ASME B16.47, EN 1092-1, DIN, JIS and BS.
Common ASME pressure classes include:
Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500 and 2500, subject to the applicable standard and size range.
Industrial Flange Supply from India
Vandan Alloys supplies industrial flanges for domestic and international requirements.
We support requirements involving standard products, project quantities, drawing-based requirements and special material grades.
Customers can share the flange type, size, grade, class, facing, standard, quantity and delivery location for quotation.
Request a Flange Quotation
For standard or special flange requirements, send your technical specification or drawing to Vandan Alloys.
Vandan Alloys
3/5, Sakar Bhavan, Ground Floor, 6th Khetwadi lane, SVP Road ,Mumbai – 400 004. India
TEL +91 022 6610 9925 Mobile no: 0 9892882255 GSTIN: 27AUMPS2067F1ZB
Email: info@vandanalloys.com ; Web: www.vandanalloys.com
Please visit Our Fasteners Division:www.vandanfasteners.com
Please visit Our Flanges Division:www.vandanalloys.net
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