Choosing the ideal flange manufacturer in India is very important because flanges are essential in pipeline, valve, and plumbing equipment connections. These flanges are available in a wide variety of sizes and forms. Therefore, it would be an overwhelming task to choose the appropriate types of flange connections for your plumbing system. Doshi Impex India is a well-established flange supplier in India with expertise and years of experience in this field. On the basis of this experience and expertise, we have created this guide, which will assist you in determining the ideal types of flanges in piping. We will also help you understand the types of flanges and their uses, and provide a way to calculate flange weight to make things easier for you.
How are flanges connected to various other pieces of equipment?
Engineers usually use bolts to create a connection between two flanges or between a flange and another piece of equipment. The two halves are fastened together and form a single unit. Technicians bolt different types of flange connections to a pipeline because they offer an excellent and readily accessible seal.
Bolts and gaskets are installed between types of flanges in piping to provide leak-free piping junctions. According to the ASME B16.5 or ASME B16.47 standards, the choice of flanges depends on the class of the pipe and the pressure-temperature rating.
What are the 16 different types of flanges?
1. Weld Neck Flange
These types of flanges in piping have a long, tapered neck. The weld neck flange distributes stress in an excellent manner. Therefore, various industrial units use them in high-pressure zones and applications involving high temperatures.
2. Slips ON Flange
The slip-on flange is welded on both sides and glides over the pipe. These types of flanges face low pressure and are part of non-critical applications because they are simple to assemble and align. However, it does not provide the same amount of strength that a weld neck flange provides.
3. Socket Weld Flanges
An engineer places a pipe into the socket and then welds a fillet in a socket weld flange. Industrial units employ them in small-diameter, high-pressure systems like chemical and hydraulic pipelines because they produce a smooth bore for good flow.
4. Blind Flange (BL)
A blind flange is one of the types of flanges that has a solid, boreless disc, that has mainly used for sealing off pipes or valve ends. You will often find it in pipeline terminations and pressure vessels, and it allows easy access to the system and pressure testing.
5. Lap Joint Flange (LJ)
Lap joint Flanges or LJ fit with a stub end, and engineers do not weld them directly to the pipe. For this reason, it is simple to rotate and align. This feature makes them perfect for systems with alignment issues or that need frequent disassembly
6. Threaded Flange (TH)
Threaded flanges have internal threads that match the external threads of a pipe, allowing for a connection without welding. These Types of flanges are used for low-pressure applications and are commonly used in flammable or explosive environments.
7. Long Weld Neck Flange
LWN flanges are similar to weld neck flanges but come with an extended neck. They provide an improved level of alignment and strengthening in high-stress applications, and therefore, they are commonly applied in pressure vessels.
8. Reducing Flange
Reducing flanges are an essential type of flange connection. They ensure that there is an appropriate flow within the system. The mechanics connect pipes of varying sizes through reducing flanges. Therefore, they are most suitable for types of flange joints where pipeline transitions are required and avoid the use of a separate fitting
9. Expander Flange
The expander flange increases the pipe size at the flange connection point. It simplifies the connection of various pipe sizes without the need for a reducer. Therefore, these types of flanges are commonly used at the inlet or outlet of pumps and compressors.
10. Nipoflange
The flange dimensions of a nipoflange are used for branch connections in high-pressure piping systems. It is a hybrid of a welding neck flange and a pipeline. These types of flanges have many uses because they are an easier and more accessible option than a typical tee fitting.
11. Orifice Flange
These types of flanges in piping serve the purpose of measuring the flow rate in a pipeline. Orifice plates work along with them in this goal. They are crucial for metering and flow control applications. They also have pressure tap holes.
12. Spectacle Blind Flange
This flange contains two metal discs. One solid and one with a hole. These components are joined together to form a spectacle blind flange. Industries use these types of flange joints in maintenance procedures that call for pipeline isolation. The other feature is that it can be rotated to either block or permit flow.
13. Ring-Type Joint Flange
The major use of this type of flange in piping is to ensure a leakproof seal. It has a groove that admits a metal ring gasket. Refineries and offshore platforms use them for high-pressure, high-temperature settings.
14. Flat Face Flange
Flange manufacturers in India and all over the world use cast iron and other fragile materials to produce flat-face flanges. They have a fully flat sealing surface. These types of flanges face low-temperature, low-pressure applications very well and also protect against overstressing.
15. Raised Face Flange
A little raised surface around the bore where the gasket is inserted in a raised-face flange. This is one of the most popular types of flanges in piping because this design helps concentrate pressure for a better seal.
16. Tongue and Groove Flange
T&G flanges have a raised ring (tongue) on one side and a matching groove on the other, which is why they are known as tongue and groove flanges. These types of flanges face high-pressure and high-temperature systems perfectly. Moreover, flange manufacturers and suppliers in India have a high demand for them because they provide better sealing and precise alignment
What are the types of flanges and their uses in the piping system?
| Flange Type | Uses in Piping System |
| 1. Weld Neck Flange (WN) | High-pressure and high-temperature pipelines, reactors, and process systems. |
| 2. Slip-On Flange (SO) | Low-pressure pipelines, fire protection systems, and utility piping. |
| 3. Socket Weld Flange (SW) | Small-diameter, high-pressure lines such as hydraulic and steam systems. |
| 4. Blind Flange (BL) | Sealing off pipeline ends, valves, and pressure vessels; used in maintenance and testing. |
| 5. Lap Joint Flange (LJ) | Systems needing frequent dismantling; ideal for tight spaces and alignment flexibility. |
| 6. Threaded Flange (TH) | Low-pressure, non-welded applications in explosive environments (e.g., gas lines). |
| 7. Long Weld Neck Flange (LWN) | Pressure vessels and heat exchangers; used as a nozzle or equipment connection. |
| 8. Reducing Flange | Connecting pipes of different diameters without reducers. |
| 9. Expander Flange | Expanding pipe size at the pump or valve outlets. |
| 10. Nipoflange | High-pressure branch connections: compact alternative to tees. |
| 11. Orifice Flange | Measuring fluid flow with orifice meters; used in metering stations. |
| 12. Spectacle Blind Flange | Isolating pipe sections for maintenance or inspection without disassembly. |
| 13. Ring-Type Joint Flange (RTJ) | High-pressure, high-temperature sealing (e.g., refineries, offshore platforms). |
| 14. Flat Face Flange (FF) | Low-pressure systems use cast iron or brittle materials. |
| 15. Raised Face Flange (RF) | General industrial applications; standard sealing design for most systems. |
| 16. Tongue and Groove Flange (T&G) | High-integrity sealing is used where precise alignment and tight joints are critical. |
Conclusion
Flanges are robust, safe, and frequently detachable connections between different types of pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment. Therefore, they are an essential component of the piping systems. Therefore, the types of flanges in piping should match the uses. The flange dimensions should also work in unison with the types of flange joints. The most appropriate selection of flange face high-pressure operations, frequent disassembly, or precise flow control as per your project needs.
Doshi Impex India is one of the leading suppliers of different types of flanges in India. We have a complete understanding of every type of flange in piping and their functions. We are also one of the top flange manufacturers at a national level and have a dedicated team that helps you to integrate the flange into your systems so that your piping systems provide optimum performance, safety, and ease of maintenance.
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