Stainless Steel ANSI Pipe Flanges – A Guide

1. What type of flange is required?

These flange types apply to ANSI Pipe Flanges and the other types of flange listed under
item 2 below.

For more information and a complete table of sizes and dimensions please visit the
Down-Loads page of the Aalco web site and select the Tubular Products Databook.
(http://www.aalco.co.uk/literature/literature.html#stainless)

Type Jointing Method General Description

Weld Neck Used in critical applications, this
is circumferentially welded into
the system at its neck which
means that the integrity of the
butt-welded area can easily be
examined by X-ray radiography.
The bores of both pipe and flange
match thus reducing turbulence
and erosion.

Slip On This is slipped over the pipe and

then fillet welded. Easy to use in
fabricated applications

Blind Sometimes called a blanking

flange, this is used for blanking
off pipelines, valves and pumps
and as an inspection cover.

abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd

© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn. In particular, the
mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions. For more complete details please refer to
the relevant specification – Specifications for Stainless Steel are listed on a separate Datasheet.
 Type Jointing Method General Description
Socket Weld This is counter-bored to accept
the pipe, which is then fillet
welded. The bore of both the
pipe and the flange are the same
to ensure good flows.

Screwed / Threaded This requires no welding and is

used to connect other threaded
components in low pressure non-
critical applications.

Lap Joint These are always used with either

a stub end or a taft which is butt-
welded to the pipe with the
flange loose behind it. Thus the
stub end or the taft always
provides the sealing face. Easily
assembled and aligned, it is
favoured in low pressure
applications. To reduce cost
these ‘backing’ flanges can be
supplied without a hub and/or
made from coated carbon steel.

Ring Type Joint This can be employed on Weld

Neck, Slip On or Blind Flanges for
leak-proof connection at high
pressures. The seal is made by a
metal ring being compressed into
a hexagonal groove on the flange
face.

abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd

© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn. In
particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions. For more
complete details please refer to the relevant specification – Specifications for Stainless Steel are listed on a separate
Datasheet.
2. Other types of flange
Type General Description
Plate or Table (BS10 / EN????)
These are produced to suit Nominal Bore / NPS Pipe Sizes.
They are produced from bar or plate rather than forgings
and are not pressure rated.
Blind and Slip-On, flat-faced, types are readily available in
grades 304L and 316L in sizes from ½” to 6” as Table D and
Table E, with larger sizes and other Tables (thicknesses)
made to order.
These economical flanges are used for light-duty
applications where corrosion resistance is the primary
consideration rather than high pressure or temperature.

BS4504 / EN1092??? These are not interchangeable with ANSI Flanges

Also referred to as PN Flanges They are available readily available in types 304L and 316L
with various pressure ratings of which 10 Bar & 16 Bar are
the most commonly used.
Metric Tru-Bore Please visit the Down-Loads page of the Aalco web site
http://www.aalco.co.uk/literature/literature.html#stainless
and select the brochure on this product range.
Hygienic Please refer to separate Datasheet

3. What size is the flange?

This will be the same size as the pipe – Nominal Bore / Nominal Pipe Size, and for Weld Neck
Flanges the Schedule Wall Thickness.

4. What grade of stainless steel is required?

This will normally be the same as the pipe with the most readily available grades from stock being
304L and 316L. Flanges can be made to order in most Austenitic and Duplex grades.

5. What sort of face should it have?

Of the four choices available the most common configurations are:
♦ For ANSI and BS4504 – Raised Face
♦ BS10 - Flat Face.
Note that this does not apply to Screwed or Lap Joint Flanges.

Face Notes
Raised Face To facilitate welding
Flat Face
Ring Type Joint (RJT) For leak-proof connection at high
pressures
Tongue & Groove – Small or Large

abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd

© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn. In
particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions. For more
complete details please refer to the relevant specification – Specifications for Stainless Steel are listed on a separate
Datasheet.
6. What finish is required on the face?
The finish is given as a surface roughness measured as Arithmetic Average Roundness Height
(AARH). The finish requirements are stipulated by the standards, such as ANSI B16.5 and are
within the range 125AARH to 500AARH, which is equivalent to 3.2 to 12.5 RA.

7. What is the required pressure rating? (The pressure rating will also determine the
dimensions of the flange – Full details can be found in the relevant specification. )

Flange Type ANSI B16.5 BS3293 ANSI B16.47 ASME BS4504

lbs lbs** Series A B16.47 BAR
MSS SP-44 Series B
lbs** API 605
lbs**
Weld Neck 150-2500 150-600 150-900 150-300 2.5-40
Weld Neck 300-2500 300-600 300-900 150-300 N/A
Ring Type Joint
Slip On 150-1500 150-600 - - 2.5-40
Slip On 300-1500 300-600 - - N/A
Ring Type Joint
Threaded 150-2500 - - - 6-40
Lap Joint 150-2500 - - - 6-40
Blind 150-2500 - - - 2.5-40
Socket Weld 150-1500 - - - N/A
Note:
**Flange sizes 26” and above

8. What semi-finished product should the flange made from?

Forging Plate ASTM Bar Casting

A182 A240
ANSI B16.5 √ √ - -
BS3293 / EN??? √ - - -
MSS SP-44 √ - - -
API 605 √ - - -
BS4504 / EN??? √ √ - √
BS10 / EN???? √ √ √ √

Notes:
♦ ASTM A240 plate can be used to manufacture ANSI B16.5 blind flanges, but this is not generally
accepted in the UK.
♦ Most small BS10 flanges are normally made from bar as trhis is the most economical
manufacturing process.

abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd

© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn. In
particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions. For more
complete details please refer to the relevant specification – Specifications for Stainless Steel are listed on a separate
Datasheet.
9. What markings will be on the flange?

All flanges should be permanently marked on the external diameter of the base with:
♦ Pipe Size (NPS / NB)
♦ Pipe Wall Thickness (Schedule) if appropriate
♦ Specification
♦ Grade
♦ Heat Number
♦ Manufacturer’s Name or Symbol

This information is based on our present knowledge and is given in good faith. However, no liability
will be accepted by the Company is respect of any action taken by any third party in reliance thereon
As the products detailed may be used for a wide variety of purposes and as the Company has no control
over their use; the Company specifically excludes all conditions or warranties expressed or implied by
statute or otherwise as to dimensions, properties and/or fitness for any particular purpose. Any advice
given by the Company to any third party is given for that party’s assistance only and without liability on
the part of the Company.
Any contract between the Company and a customer will be subject to the Company’s Conditions of
Sale. The extent of the Company’s liabilities to any customer is clearly set out in those Conditions; a
copy of which is available on request.

abc® Aalco is a registered trademark of Aalco Metals Ltd

© Copyright: Aalco Metals Ltd, The Hersham Centre, Hersham Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HP
All Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full specification from which it is drawn. In
particular, the mechanical property requirements vary widely with product form and product dimensions. For more
complete details please refer to the relevant specification – Specifications for Stainless Steel are listed on a separate
Datasheet.