Common Types of Stainless Steel Flanges

A stainless steel flange is a mechanical component used to connect pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment in a piping system. Flanges are usually made of stainless steel or other materials like carbon steel and come in various sizes and types. Stainless steel flanges are preferred in applications where corrosion resistance is essential, making them suitable for industries like chemical processing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and marine environments.

Common Types of Stainless Steel Flanges:

1. **Weld Neck Flange (WN):** These flanges have a long neck and are designed for high-pressure applications. They are typically butt-welded to pipes.

2. **Slip-On Flange (SO):** Slip-on flanges slide over the pipe and are then welded in place. They are easier to align and install.

3. **Socket Weld Flange (SW):** These flanges have a socket where the pipe is inserted, and they are then fillet-welded.

4. **Threaded Flange (TH):** Threaded flanges have an internal thread and are screwed onto the pipe.

5. **Blind Flange (BL):** A blind flange is used to close the end of a pipe. It does not have a bore and is used to block the end of a piping system.

6. **Lap Joint Flange (LJ):** Lap joint flanges are used with a stub end fitting. They are easy to dismantle and provide flexibility in aligning bolt holes.

7. **Orifice Flange:** Orifice flanges are used in orifice metering systems for precise flow measurement. They have special orifice plates.

8. **Reducer Flange:** Reducer flanges connect pipes of different diameters. They are also known as size-reducing flanges.

9. **Expander Flange:** Expander flanges are used to increase the bore of the pipe, which is useful when connecting to equipment with a larger bore.

10. **Ring-Type Joint (RTJ) Flange:** RTJ flanges are primarily used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications. They have a groove for a metal ring gasket.

The choice of a specific stainless steel flange type depends on the requirements of the piping system, including factors like pressure, temperature, pipe size, and the nature of the fluid being transported. Flanges are critical components in ensuring the integrity and performance of a piping system.