Pipelines – a kind of artery for any industry or utilities, through which all types of liquid and gas are transported. Any pipeline consists of individual sections that are interconnected. In this case, the joints should be as tight as possible to each other and have sufficient strength to avoid leakage.

What is a flange and why is it better to choose stainless steel?

A 304 Stainless Steel Flanges is a round disk or square product with a hole for the pipe inside, with which the halves are fixed to each other. Using flanges, various sections of pipes are fixed, as well as cranes, measuring instruments or other equipment is connected to the pipeline.

For tightness, a gasket of paranit, metal, granite and other materials is installed between the disks. Flange connections can be dismantled, which is one of the main advantages.

One of the best materials from which 316 Stainless Steel Flanges are made is stainless steel. Flanges made from stainless steel have the following advantages:

• Resistance to mechanical stress.


• Corrosion resistant.


• The ability to withstand the effects of aggressive environments.


• Resistance to extreme temperatures. Withstand from -70 ° C to + 450 ° C.


• Environmental friendliness.

In this case, the steel grade varies depending on the operating conditions of the pipeline. For example, on sea-going vessels, on which all equipment experiences strong vibration and high temperature drops, flanges made of 08X18H10T steel are used. For fastening the fittings of A350 LF2 Flange, stainless steel flanges 25X1MF and 25X2M1F are used, which withstand pressure up to 100 MPa. The most popular steel for gas and oil pipelines is 13HFA.

Flange Types

All Stainless Steel Slip on Flange used in the national economy are divided into three groups:

1. Flat. A round disk without protrusions, with a hole for the pipe in the center and small, symmetrically located inlets for bolts along the edge of the circle.


2. Collar. These are flanges with a protrusion around the circumference of the central hole, which is welded to the surface of the pipeline. Welded flanges are used for pipelines with high internal pressure, as they have increased strength.


3. Stubs. These are flanges without a hole for the pipe, which serve to block the movement of fluid.

In industry, threaded flanges are sometimes used, but it is extremely rare for special orders, so they do not stand out as a separate group.

Scope of flanges and complexity of operation

As we have already noted, stainless flanges are designed to connect straight sections of pipelines. And pipelines are used in almost all industries:

• Chemical.


• Food.


• Wine and vodka.


• Metallurgy.


• Fuel and energy complex.


• Department of Housing and Utilities.


• Private households.

The most common are argon-arc, plasma welding, as well as welding using tungsten electrodes. For each case, a different method is used, so that the connection is strong and durable, welding should be carried out by specialists.