A flange is a hardware part. Its purpose is to connect pipes, gaskets or similar hollow metal structures of a cylindrical shape. In order to firmly and reliably connect two objects, you need to additionally use soft pads. Soft materials are used for their manufacture. And to the question: "Flange - what is this part?" - we can answer that this is a hardware (short for "metal product"), which creates good sealing at the joints of cylindrical elements.
Device
Standard flanges in appearance resemble a metal ring on which there are special holes for studs or bolts. On some types of these elements there may be protrusions, troughs, spikes, grooves.
Flange manufacturing
Various steel grades are used for manufacturing: 13, 20 / 092, 121810, 155 and others. In addition, they can be steel and stainless. The technology used is different. Manufacturers use forging, stamping, casting. For each method, special equipment, forms are used. When releasing their products, manufacturers carefully check their quality. Applying special tests in their work, OTK employees check them for strength and reliability. Flanges are also tested for moisture resistance. What it is? Since they relate to fasteners and are involved in joining metal parts that may come in contact with water, it is important that they are not subject to corrosion. That is why waterproof metal alloys are used. Often manufacturers cover the surface of the flanges with an additional protective layer.
Types of Flanges
So, flange - what is it? This is, first of all, hardware. Depending on the application, these parts can be flat, collar, free. The design is not much different. On the collar flanges there is a small protrusion resembling a cone. Often it is called a collar. This type of flange is used when you need to weld parts butt. This protrusion helps to tightly interconnect the connecting parts at the pipelines. They are also necessary when pipelines are connected to tanks or other technical equipment. The main advantage of such flanges is that they can be used several times. These hardware products were made of durable materials, and this allows them to be used in work where the temperature ranges from –253 to +600 degrees Celsius.
Flat flange - what is it? This is a hardware that resembles a flat disk with holes. It is used when it is necessary to connect parts of fittings, shafts, vessels, pipelines, devices and the like. With this element, parts of pipelines can be tightly fixed.
Loose flange - what is it? This species is not very different from the above. It consists of two parts: a regular flange and a ring. It is important that they are made of the same material and have the same diameter and pressure. They are used where the work is most difficult, where it is difficult to complete the installation. Due to two parts, the connection will be tight and durable. First, a regular flange is connected (it is welded), and the other ring can then be rotated quietly during operation.
Other classification
Special types of elements have been made for some types of work . Special flange - what is it? These are the same hardware, but in order to make some work convenient, their design is slightly modified. They can also be welded, loose, cast, threaded. Only on them grooves are cut out or ledges are welded. For their manufacture, special drawings are first developed and molds are cast. Such hardware is made by order of enterprises.