company news about What is a Flange? - Common Types and Connection Methods

What is a flange?

A flange is a disk-shaped component used to connect pipes, containers, or mechanical parts, typically used in pairs and secured with bolts and gaskets.

Features of flanges include:

●Precise drilling for accurate assembly.

●​Controlled material structure to ensure strength and hardness.

●​Beveled design for easy welding and secure connections.

●​Smooth surfaces to ensure the smooth flow of fluids.

●​Countersunk holes to ensure the correct installation of bolts.

How flange connections work: Flange connections secure equipment or pipes together using two flanges, gaskets, and bolts. Different types of gaskets are used to ensure the connection is sealed. By applying pressure, the flange faces form a seal, and the bolts are tightened to ensure a tight connection. A Belleville spring is one of the commonly used sealing gaskets.

Here is a simple description of common flange types and their applications:

●​Socket Weld Flange: Suitable for small-diameter, low-pressure, and low-temperature environments, easy to install, used to ensure a secure connection.

●​Loose Flange: Simple structure, easy to disassemble and maintain, suitable for systems with limited space.

●​Blind Flange: Used for isolation or termination in pipeline systems, easy to install and remove, provides good sealing.

●​Weld-Neck Flange: Suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure systems, offers high strength and reliability, suitable for applications with repeated bending.

●​Slip-On Flange: Supports systems with increased flow velocity and flow rate, suitable for various sizes, has certain technical requirements for installation.

●​Threaded Flange: No welding required, easy to install and remove, suitable for small-diameter pipes.

●​Long Weld-Neck Flange: Suitable for high-pressure systems, the neck design enhances connection reliability, providing high strength and sealing.

●​Orifice Flange: Used for flow measurement, simple structure, easy to install, provides accurate measurement results.

Here is a simple description of the different faces of flanges:

●​Raised Face (RF) Flange: Features a slightly convex gasket surface, suitable for a wide range of pressures and temperatures, commonly used in the oil, gas, and chemical industries, provides good sealing.

●​Male and Female Face (M&F) Flange: One side is convex and the other is concave, offering more precise gasket placement, widely applicable, suitable for systems requiring special gaskets.

●​Tongue and Groove Face (T&G) Flange: Features corresponding grooves and ridges, easy to install, self-aligning, good sealing effect.

●​Flat Face (FF) Flange: Has a flat surface with the gasket covering most of the area, simple structure, suitable for low-pressure systems.

●​Ring Joint Face (RTJ) Flange: Features a recess for a metal gasket, suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature environments, excellent sealing performance.