pipe with flange

The socket welded tees are manufactured due to the ASTM ASME B16.11 standards. These standards optimize and decide the proper pressure and temperature ratings, radiuses and required material for the production of the tees. Furthermore, the B16.11 standards are only allowable for carbon and alloy steels. The socket welded tees can be produced into three pressure categories which are; Class 3000, Class 6000 and Class 9000.

Flanges are the components that work as a connector between main pipes, valves or pumps. The most prominent advantage of the flange usage easy the ease of cleaning and inspection of the area connected by the flanges. Flanges are usually produced by utilizing welding or screwing methods. Flange systems make a joint between different components.

The joint is created by bolting two flanges to each other and sealing them by using various gaskets. Flanges are usually made of aluminum, bronze, brass or carbon steel. The most preferred material for general flange applications is the forged carbon steel. Moreover, flanges can be layered internally with different types of linings. Usually, flange material is selected as the same material with the pipe material. This material selection is conducted in order to prevent possible galvanic corrosion risks. The proper material selection for flanges is decided according to ASTM A-182 standards.

The specification of the flange types is done via the ASME B16.5 standards. Thus flanges are classified as; weld neck, slip-on, socket weld, lap-joint, threaded blind. The weld necked flanges are easy to recognize. A cylindrical bulge with a gradually increasing radius is connected to the main hollow part.

The cylindrical bulge eases the use of flange in extreme conditions such as; elevated temperatures or high pressurized atmospheres. These flanges are welded to pipes or fittings by using butt-welding which enables a total fixation of the body. Slip-on flanges are also very common in use because of their low cost. They do not require excessive surface finishing as weld necked flanges.

Therefore, the fixation of the slip-on flanges is easier. However, the strength of the slip-on flanges is two-third of the weld necked flanges, under internal stresses due to flow. Another disadvantage of the slip-on flanges is that it¡¯s impossible to fix a flange to the elbow or fix a flange to the tee because the end surface of the slip-on fittings is not straight. The third flange group is the socket weld flanges. These flanges are utilized for small pipes that must yield high pressures. The strength of the socket weld flanges against internal stresses is equal to slip-on flanges.