Flat flanges are used to connect pipes and come in different sizes and materials. They have bolt holes and a central opening for a gasket. Welding is used to attach them to pipes, and they can be made from mild or stainless steel. X-ray checks are done on welds to ensure safety.
A flat flange is a device used to create pipe connections. There are many different sizes of flat flange designs that are used on different diameters of pipe. A flat flange can be manufactured from different grades of steel, from mild steel to stainless steel. They have a common welding method used to connect a flange to a length of pipe. The material from which the flange is made depends on the type of pipe to which it is attached.
Many pipelines are built on site from bulk materials. When this occurs, the pipeline starts out as a simple section of pipe with no connection devices at either end. To connect the pipeline together, the pipe is welded by qualified welders to avoid any leaks or weak points. In some places, however, conduct may require a section to be removed for a variety of reasons. In this case, the pipeline is connected by welding a flat flange to each end of the pipe as well as to each end of the removable section, and the section is bolted together.
The flat flange is a thick, flat piece of steel that has both a central opening and perimeter bolt holes located around the flange. When the flange is welded onto the pipe, the flange forms a connection area which can be used to connect and seal two pieces of pipe together with bolts and a gasket. Typically, the flat flange incorporates a ribbed section around the central opening on one side to allow for a non-slip grip on the gasket material. The flange can have as few as four bolt holes and as many as 12, depending on the pressure rating of the pipeline. For most food grade piping, stainless steel is the material of choice for both the tubing and the flanges used.
On oil pipelines, light pipe or what is also called black pipe is commonly used for the pipeline as well as the flange material. This grade of steel produces tubing that is safe for high pressure while offering corrosion resistance for both above and below ground piping applications. The flat flange is attached to the black pipe by welding the two components together after the pipe has been smoothed to present the optimum fit. Welds are often x-rayed to make sure there are no deficiencies in the weld that could cause potential breakage hazards in the future.
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