The Variety of Forged Flanges

Pipework systems rely on forged flanges to connect pipes, valves, and joints. Cleaning, inspection, and repairs are made easier by use of flanges. The flanges are welded onto the pipes and kept in place by bolts.

Several types of flanges are illustrated below:

Weld Neck Ring Flange

These types of flanges are welded around the neck and can easily be inspected by x-ray. Weld Neck Ring Flanges have bores that match with pipes and reduce disturbance and damage. This is an extremely reliable flange for important situations.

Slip-On Ring Flange

Using a fillet weld, slip-on ring flanges simply slips on over a pipe. These types of flanges are usually used in fabricated applications.

Blind Ring Flange

Blind Ring Flanges are used in blanking off pipes and valves. These flanges are also used as inspection covers.

Socket Weld Ring Flange

Counter-boring is used in a Socket Weld Ring Flange and accepts the pipe before being fillet welded. The pipe and flange share the same bore and allows for good flow.

Threaded Ring Flange

Using threading or screwing is involved in the threaded ring flange. This is usually used in a low-pressure, non-critical environment and involves no welding.

Lap Joint Ring Flange

Stub ends or tafts are butt welded to the pipe with a loose flange when using a lap joint ring flange. Faces are always made by the tafts or butts. This flange is usually used in low-pressure environments. Lap Joint Ring Flanges are usually provided without hubs, which reduce costs.

Ring Type Joint Flange

When there are high-pressure environments, Ring Type Joint Flanges are used to reduce leaking. Compressing metal rings into hexagonal grooves makes seals. This can be used in other types of flanges including weld neck, blind, and slip-on.