A flange coupling joins two pipes with a male and female mating opening, creating a stable connection. High thread count nut and bolt connections secure flange joints in pressurized piping systems. The coupling is made of cast iron or forged steel, and the gasket material must be resistant to the material distributed through the piping system. There are three common types of flange joints: unshielded, shielded, and marine.
A flange coupling is a type of coupling device intended to join two pipe ends flush and sealed. This two-piece coupling unit consists of a receiving end that is keyed to secure the flanged end, so that it can be coupled to the opposite end of the pipe, which also has a flanged end. Each flange has a male or female mating opening so that when the two ends are joined, they are aligned without causing resistance or drag in the material passing through them. This tongue-and-groove coupling method also creates a stable, displacement-resistant connection by holding the flange coupling securely in place.
Flange joints are generally used in pressurized piping systems where two ends of pipes or tubes need to come together. Connection methods for flanged joints are generally very strong due to material pressure or the sometimes hazardous nature of materials passed through many industrial piping systems. High thread count nut and bolt connections are used to secure flange joints in place. These nuts and bolts are typically made from hardened steel or alloys to provide lasting strength and the ability to be tightened to the maximum level to ensure that the piping system will not leak at any flanged joints. Most flanged joints use four, six, or up to 12 bolt groups.
The flange coupling itself is usually made of cast iron or made of forged steel. The materials used to make flanged joints directly depend on the application in which they can be used. For low-pressure, small-scale situations, there are composite couplings that provide decent sealing qualities, but are prone to chipping or cracking when exposed to the elements for an extended period of time.
Even in steel or cast iron flange couplings, the holding power is created by a rubber or otherwise malleable gasket. This usually consists of a substance designed for the material distributed through the piping system. For example, if the piping system is used to transfer acids from one point to another, the gasket material within the flange coupling must be acid resistant.
There are three common types of flange joints. Unshielded, shielded, and marine flanged joints are most commonly used in industrial or underwater applications. Unprotected means that both bolts and nuts are exposed for access, while protected flange joints hide bolt assemblies within the individual flanges on the joint. Marine flange couplings look a little different, with the bolt being a tapered shape without a head.
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