Tips for Choosing the Right Pipe Flanges

Tips for Choosing the Right Pipe Flanges

July 22, 2020

Pipe flanges are an important part of any plumber’s arsenal of tools. They are used to connect sections of pipe to each other, or to other components or pieces of equipment. If you plan to handle any plumbing jobs yourself, chances are you’re going to need a pipe flange for many DIY plumbing jobs around your home or commercial property in San Jose, CA.

What you might not realize if you’re new to DIY plumbing is that there are many different types of pipe flanges on the market. How do you know you have the correct one for your needs? Here’s a quick overview of the various types of pipe flanges and what you should know about them to help you make the proper decision:

  • Threaded: Threaded flanges are designed for low-pressure piping systems and are frequently used in galvanized steel pipe or in circumstances where it is not suitable to have welding temperature fluctuations of more than 260 degrees Celsius, and below -45 degrees Celsius. Avoid using threated flanges for any pipe that could cause severe erosion, cyclic loading or crevice corrosion.
  • Lapped: Lapped flanges do not come into contact with the media, and the material of the pipe flange cannot be the same as that of the pipe. Instead, there must be a stub end or welding ring to make it suitable for corrosive medium pipelines.
  • Socket weld: Socket weld flanges are best suited for smaller, high-pressure piping. They are used in similar environments as slip-on flanges, but have an internal pocket design that creates better fluid flow and a smoother bore. They also have the benefit of significantly greater strength than double-welded slip-on flanges when they are internally welded.
  • Slip-on: Speaking of slip-on flanges, these flanges are beneficial because they are easy to align and generally come in at a lower cost than some of the other options on this list. They’re more likely to be used in low-pressure environments, such as non-purifying compressed air and low-pressure water circulation.
  • Welding neck: Welding neck flanges are known for a higher strength and stiffness. They are frequently used in environments that have a large temperature pressure fluctuation range or in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, though they can also be useful for low-temperature pipeline.
  • Blind: Blind flange is most commonly used for sealing pipe ends. Blind pipe flange will generally be installed at the end of a header or in a location where there are likely to be additional future tie-ins.

Need more information about the different types of flanges you’ll find on the market, or the flanges that we offer at Royal Brass Incorporated? We encourage you to contact our representatives today for more information. Based on the information you provide us about the application in which the flange will be used, we will be able to help guide you toward the proper type of flange for your needs so you can make an informed purchase decision. We look forward to assisting you with pipe flanges and pipe fittings in San Jose, CA.

Categorised in: