Introduction to flange joint:

Flange joint is one of the methods of pipe joints. Pipe flanges are used at places where piping,
instruments, valves, equipment etc. are required to be dismantle for maintenance. Flange joint is
an assembly of three different components: Flanges, Gaskets & Bolting brought together in a
proper method by some external source. Special measures shall be considered in selection and
application of each component of the joint to achieve acceptable leak tightness.
The flanges are normally made of forging only in few cases it can be fabricated from plates. In
ASME B16.5, only Blind flange and reducing flange can be fabricated from a weldable quality
plates.
The generally used flange materials are as below:
ASTM A105- Forged Carbon Steel
ASTM A181- Forged Carbon Steel for General Purpose
ASTM A182- Forged Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel
ASTM A350- Forged Alloy Steel for Low Temperature Services.

Different ways of classification of pipe flanges are:

1.1) Pipe flanges based on Pipe Attachment:
One way to classify flanges is their method of attachment to the pipe.
Slip-on Flanges
Socket-Weld Flanges
Screwed/Threaded Flanges
Lap-joint Flanges
Welding neck Flanges
Blind Flanges
Reducing Flanges

2) Pipe flanges based on Pressure-Temperature (PT) rating:

Based on the PT rating the flanges are classified as:

150#, 300#, 400#, 600#, 900#, 1500#, 2500#

The PT rating charts as specified in ASME B16.5 specify the working pressure which a flange
can withstand at a particular temperature. The indicated pressure class of 150#, 300#, etc is the
basic ratings and the flanges can withstand higher pressure at lower temperatures.
ASME B16.5 indicates the allowable pressure for different materials of construction at different
temperature.

3) Pipe flanges based on Facing:

There are different flange facing used in the pipe system depending upon the fluid, PT rating,
material of construction, connecting equipment etc.
Flat Face (FF) Flanges
Raised Face (RF) Flanges
Male-Female (M/F) Face Flanges
Tongue-Groove (T/G) Face Flanges
Ring Type Joint (RTJ) Flanges

4) Pipe flanges based on Face Finish:

Stock Finish:
These flanges are used with non-metal gaskets. The allowable roughness for these type of
Flanges is 250-500 or 500-1000 micro inch AARH.
Smooth/Serrated Finish:
These flanges are used with metal or spiral wound gaskets. The allowable roughness for these
type of Flanges is 125-250 micro inch AARH.
Extra Smooth Finish:
These flanges are used with metal RTJ and T/G flanges. The maximum allowable roughness for
these type of Flanges is 63 micro inch AARH.

5) Pipe flanges based on Serrations:

Concentric Serrations:

These serrations are used where the conveying fluid is highly flammable or toxic or lower
molecular weight gas.
Spiral Serrations:
These are generally used type serrations.

Introduction to flange joint

Flange joint is one of the methods of pipe joints. Pipe flanges are classified in different ways
based on pipe attachment, Pressure-Temperature (PT) rating, facing, face finish. Below are the
flanges based on the pipe attachments.

Classification of flanges based on pipe attachment

1.1) Slip-on Flanges:
These flanges are welded on inside as well as outside to the pipe. They are generally forged type
with Hub. They can also be fabricated from plates but without Hub.

Pipe flanges slip-on raised face

1.2) Socket-Weld Flanges:

These Flanges are welded only on outside of the Pipe. They are usually used in small bore piping
where the piping specification is socket weld. They are not used in severe services due to
stagnation of fluid at the socket. Socket welded flanges shall be specified with connection pipe
thickness to ensure proper bore dimensions.

Pipe flanges socket welded raised face

1.3) Screwed/Threaded Flanges:

These Flanged are screwed onto outside diameter of the Pipe. They are used at locations where
welding is not allowed. They are used in temperature range of 250o Deg to -450 Deg. The
threads can be NPT (Nominal Pipe Threads) or BSPT (British Standard Pipe Threads) as
required in the Piping specification.

Pipe flanges threaded raised face

1.4) Lap-joint Flanges:

These are loose flanges used along with stub end which is butt welded to the pipe. They are used
where the pipe is of higher grade or exotic material. The loose flange in many cases is of Carbon
steel material. The inside diameter of the flanges are machined to fit onto the radius of stub end.

Pipe flanges lap joint stub end

1.5) Welding neck Flanges:

These Flanges are butt welded to the pipe. As Radiography is required for all welds in critical
services, these flanges are majorly used in such locations. The thickness of the flanges needs to
be specified for procurement which is generally same as the pipe thickness of the same size.

Pipe flanges welding neck raised face

1.6) Blind Flanges:

These are used to close the end of the pipe and are bolted on to the other flange. In few locations,
blind flanges are procured with tapped holes for instruments or drain connection.

1.7) Reducing Flanges:

These flanges are used to connect the pipes of different diameter without the use of a reducer.
The dimensions and thickness of the reducing flange should be of the larger diameter pipe but
the inside diameter is to suit the smaller diameter pipe.

Pipe flanges reducing slip on.jpg

There are different types of pipe flanges used in the piping systems depending upon the fluid,
PT rating, material of construction, connecting equipment etc. Below are the types of flanges
used in piping based on facing

1) Flat Face (FF) Flanges:

These pipe flanges are used when the counter flanges are flat face. They are mainly used at
connection to cast iron equipment, valves and specialties. This flat face flange has a gasket
surface in the same plane as the bolting circle face.

Flange flat face FF

The function of gaskets is to interpose a semi-plastic material between the flange facings, the
material which, through deformation under load seals the minute surface irregularities to prevent
leakage of the fluid. Gaskets can be generally divided into three main categories as follows:
1. Non-metallic Gaskets
2. Semi-metallic Gaskets
3. Metallic Gaskets

1. Non-metallic Gaskets:
Usually composite sheet materials are used with flat face flanges and low pressure class
applications. Non-metallic gaskets are manufactured non-asbestos material or Compressed
Asbestos Fibre (CAF). Non-asbestos types include arimid fibre, glass fibre,
elastomer, Teflon (PTFE) and flexible graphite. PTFE or RPTFE are used in high corrosive
applications.

Full face gasket types are suitable for use with flat-face (FF) flanges and flat-ring gasket types
are suitable for use with raised face (RF) flanges.

2. Semi-metallic Gaskets:
Semi-metallic gaskets are composites of metal and non-metallic materials. The metal is intended
to offer strength and resiliency while the non-metallic portion of a gasket provides
conformability and sealability Commonly used semi-metallic are spiral wound, metal jacketed,
Cam profile and a variety of metal-reinforced graphite gaskets.
Semi metallic gaskets are designed for the widest range of operating conditions of temperature
and pressure. Semi-metallic are used on raised face, male-andfemale and tongue-and groove
flanges.
Spiral wound gaskets are used for high temperature and high-pressure applications. The main
parts of spiral wound gasket are metallic windings and filler material. The criteria for material
selection of windings are: corrosive nature, fluid concentration, operating temperature and
material cost. Commonly used material for winding are Stainless steel 304, 316 and
321.Alternate winding materials also can be used depending upon the services. General filler
material used are Asbestos and graphite. Graphite filler are recommended for very high
temperature application.
For proper positioning, spiral wound gaskets are provided with outer centering ring made up of
Carbon Steel. In Vacuum service application they are provided with inner ring. The material of
the ring should be compatible with the process fluid.
Spiral wound gasket is recommended with flange face finish of 63-250 AARH.

3. Metallic Gaskets:
Metallic gasket is fabricated from one or a combination of metal to the desired shape and size.
Common metallic gasket is ring-joint gasket and lens rings.
It is suitable for high-pressure and temperature applications and require high bolt load to seal.

Dimensional Standards:
API 601- Metallic Gasket for Refinery Piping
BS 3381- Spiral Wound Gaskets to suit BS 1560 Flanges
ANSI B 16.20- Metallic Gasket for Steel Pipe Flanges, Ring Joint, Spiral Wound and Jacketed
ANSI B 16.21- Non-Metallic flat Gasket for Pipe Flanges

The components used in piping system post details about the various components. These are
used changing a direction, joining different sizes of pipes, taking a branch-off, etc. are generally
referred to as Pipe Fittings.

Different Dimensional Standards available for pipe fittings

ASME B 16.1-Cast Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
ASME B 16.3-Malleable-Iron Threaded fittings
ASME B 16.4-Grey Iron Threaded fittings
ASME B 16.5-Pipe Flanges and Flanged fittings
ASME B 16.9-Factory-Made Wrought steel Butt welding
ASME B 16.11-Forged Fitting, Socket welding and Threaded
ASME B 16.28-Wrought Steel Butt welding Short Radius Elbows and Returns
ASME B 16.42-Ductile Iron Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
ASME B 16.49-Buttwelding Induction Bends for Transportation and Distribution System
BS 1640-Buttweld Fittings
BS 3799-Socket weld and Screwed end fittings

Pipe fittings classification based on the end connections

1.Socket weld/ Screwed end fittings:
Dimensional standard-AME B 16.11/BS 3799 Sizes upto 4 NPS only.
These fittings are designated by pressure class which represents the maximum cold non-shock
working pressure and the thickness corresponding to that class.
The pressure classes used to designate these fitting are:
2000 # Class: Applicable for Screwed fittings only, Thickness-SCH 80 or XS
3000 # Class: Socket weld fittings, Thickness-SCH 80 or XS & Screwed fittings, ThicknessSCH 160

6000 # Class: Socket weld fittings, Thickness-SCH 160 & Screwed fittings, Thickness-SCH
XXS
9000 # Class: Applicable for Socket weld fittings only, Thickness-SCH X XS
The screwed ends for fitting are generally with Taper threads. These threads can be Nominal
Pipe threads (NPT) or British Screwed Pipe Threads (BSPT).
The socket weld/screwed fittings are generally forged.
The different grades of material used for these fittings are:
ASTM A105-Forged Carbon Steel
ASTM A181-Forged Carbon Steel for General purposes
ASTM A182-Forged Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel
ASTM A234-Wrought Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel pipe fittings for moderate and elevated
temperatures
ASTM A350-Forged Alloy Steel for Low temperature Services

2. Butt weld end fittings:

Dimensional standard-AME B 16.9/ AME B 16.28/BS 1640
These are fittings are with Butt welded ends.
They are available in both seamless and welded type. They are usually with the same thickness
as pipe.
The different grades of material used for these fittings are:
ASTM A234- Carbon Steel Fittings for Moderate & High temperature Services.
ASTM A403- Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings.
ASTM A420- Carbon Steel & Alloy Steel Pipe Fittings for Low temperature Services.

3. Flanged end fittings:

Dimensional standard-AME B 16.5/BS 1650
These kind of fitting have both ends Flanged and are used in places where welding is not
allowed.

They are cast fittings.

The different grades of material used for these fittings are:
ASTM A216- Carbon Steel Casting.
ASTM A403- Stainless Steel Casting.
ASTM A420- Alloy Steel Casting.