Before we dive into the different types of the flange, it is essential to understand the industry specification it conforms to. So what are ANSI Flange, AWWA Flange, and ASME Flange? What is the difference between ANSI Flange and ASME Flange? What is the difference between Series A and Series B Flange? We will answer all these questions.
There are four types of industry standards covering different flange types;
1. ANSI Flange also called ASME B16.5 Flange
2. ASME Flange also called ASME B16.47 Flange (Series A and Series B)
3. Industry Standard Flange (ASME B16.1 Flange)
4. AWWA Flange
ASME B16.5 pipe flange and flanged fittings cover sizes from 1/2" nominal to 24" nominal. The standard covers pressure, temperature, material, tolerance, dimension, testing, and marking of the flange. The pressure classes included in ASME B16.5 are 150#, 300#, 600#, 900#, and 1500# for sizes up to 10" nominal and 2500# for sizes 12" through 24".
ASME B16.5 standard is limited to flanges made from cast or forged material.
ASME B16.47 covers large diameter steel flanges from 26" nominal to 60" nominal pipe sizes. There are two types of B16.47 flanges, Series A and Series B. Both have slightly different dimensions such as thickness, bolt circle diameter, and a number of bolt holes. The pressure class covered by B16.47 is Class 75, 150, 300, 400, 600, and 900#. Standard covers flanges made of cast, forged, or plate material (for blind flange only).
ASME B16.5 standard covers Steel Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings from NPS 1/2 through NPS 24 Metric/Inch in pressure class 150 to class 2500. It covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, testing, and methods of designating openings for pipe flanges and flanged fittings. Two very important flanges such as weld neck flange and blind flanges are very commonly used in piping systems. The term "B16.5" or "B16 5" are used interchangeably and refers to the same standard. However, the standard ASME B16.5 (ANSI B16.5) only covers sizes up to 24 inches. For bigger sizes, ASME B16.47 standard covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, and testing for pipe flanges in sizes NPS 26 through NPS 60 and in rating Classes 75, 150, 300, 400, 600, and 900.
However, the standard ASME B16.47 is further divided into ASME B16.47 series A and ASME B16.47 series B flange for Blind flange and Weldneck flange. Series B flange was also formerly known as API 605 flange. Term B16.47 or B 16 47 or ANSI B 16 47 are all used interchangeably and refer to the same standard.
The ASME B16.47 standard incorporates MSS SP-44: Steel Pipe Flanges and API 605: Large Diameter Flanges for Carbon Steel. Hence MSS SP44 flanges are equivalent to Series A flange whereas API 605 flanges are equivalent to Series B flange. This standard covers materials covered as in ASME / ANSI B16.5 except for nickel alloys. They also share the same pressure-temperature rating as B16.5 flanges.
ASME B16 47 Series A flanges are much thicker, heavier, and stronger than Series B flanges for the same pressure and size. Series A flange can withstand more external loading than Series B flange. ASME B16.47 Series B flanges need smaller fasteners, in larger quantities than Series A flanges. They also have a smaller bolt circle diameter than that of Series A flanges. The smaller bolt circle diameter results in less flange movement after installation. Series A and Series B standards define weld neck flanges and blind flanges in raised face type (RF) but only Series A defines ring type joint (RTJ) flanges from Class 300 through Class 900 within this standard. Price-wise, ASME B16.47 Series A flanges are more expensive than ASME B16 47 Series B flanges.
Most piping users or designers may choose Series A flanges for the new pipeline or equipment. But Series B flanges are more popular if you are doing some refurbishment, replacement job or non-critical piping design.
See the documents below for a comparison of flange sizes in two main standards (B16.5 and B16.47)
Flange Dimensions as per ASME B 16 5 standard for 150# Welding Neck Flange, Blind Flange, Slipon, Socketweld & Lapjoint flange is here
Flange Dimensions as per ASME B16 47 series A standard for 150# weldneck and the blind flange is here
Flange Dimensions as per ASME B 16.47 series B standard for 150# weld neck and the blind flange are here
Conclusions: Standard weld neck, slip-on, blind, etc. flanges are covered by standard B16.5 for sizes up to 24" nominal pipe. Sizes 26" and bigger are covered by B16.47 series A or series B for weld neck and blind flanges. Series A flange is heavier, thicker, and costs more whereas series B flange has more bolt holes and is lighter and cheaper than series A. API605 flange and series B flanges are the same things.
No national standard or governing body controls the Industry Standard Flange. The dimension and material of Industry Standard Flange have been adopted after years of "common" industry practice. It is important to note that standard ASME B16.1 covers size and material of industry-standard flange whic his a standard for Class 25, 125, and 250 Cast Iron Pipe Flange and Flanged Fittings. The pressure rating of the industry flange matches the AWWA table 4 Class E standard. In sizes smaller than 24", Industry Standard Flange also matches B16.5 flanges.
Flanges play a crucial role in connecting pipes, valves, and other equipment components together. And when it comes to flange specifications, the ANSI B16.5-ASME B16.5 stands out as one of the most widely used standards in the industry. But what makes this specification so special? In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the ANSI 16.5-ASME B16.5 Flange Specification and explore its various features such as ratings, dimensions, materials used for manufacturing and more! So buckle up and join us on this exciting journey through flange engineering!
The ANSI B16.5 steel flange specification is a set of guidelines that define the dimensions, materials, and tolerances for steel pipe flanges used in industrial applications. This standard covers flanges from ½ inch to 24 inches in diameter, with pressure ratings ranging from 150 to 2500 pounds.
The ANSI B16.5 specification ensures that all steel pipe flanges manufactured under this standard have consistent dimensions and can be easily interchanged between different manufacturers. In addition, it also specifies the type of welding necks or slip-on connections required to join these flanges together.
Another important feature of the ANSI B16.5 steel flange specification is its compliance with ASTM standards for materials used in manufacturing these components. This means that only high-quality raw materials are utilized during production, ensuring a durable and long-lasting product.
Complying with the ANSI B16.5 steel flange specifications provides peace of mind knowing that your equipment is up-to-date on industry standards while also ensuring compatibility across various suppliers' products.
The ASME B16.5 flange specification is a widely accepted standard for steel pipe flanges and fittings in the United States. This specification covers pressure-temperature ratings, materials, dimensions, tolerances, marking, testing, and methods of designating openings for pipe flanges and flanged fittings.
One of the key features of this specification is its emphasis on material selection. The ASME B16.5 standard categorizes materials into different groups based on their strength properties at high temperatures. These categories include carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel and other special alloys.
Another important aspect of the ASME B16.5 standard is its rating system which indicates the maximum allowable pressure that a particular flange can withstand at a given temperature range. The ratings are expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
In addition to these specifications and ratings requirements, there are also guidelines regarding bolt hole patterns as well as facing finishes that must be adhered to when manufacturing or installing ASME B16.5 compliant flanges.
Adherence to this reputable ANSI/ASME industry-standard ensures quality performance and reliability for industrial piping systems across many different applications within various industries such as oil & gas refineries or power generation plants where safety standards cannot be compromised due to volatile operating conditions both inside pipelines containing hazardous fluids under high-pressure environments outside those pipes where people live work play travel commute etcetera making it essential that only trusted products backed by tested standards like those specified within ANSI 16.5-ASME B16 have been used consistently over time even if they may require higher initial investment costs due to long-term benefits outweighing any upfront expenses incurred upfront initially
The B16.5 flange rating is an important aspect to consider when selecting a flange for your piping system. It refers to the maximum pressure and temperature that the flange can withstand before failure.
The B16.5 standard defines various pressure classes ranging from 150 to 2500, with each class having different ratings based on material type and temperature range. For instance, Class 150 flanges are rated for pressures up to 285 psi at temperatures ranging from -20°F to +100°F.
It's crucial to choose the right rating for your application because exceeding the maximum allowed pressure or temperature can lead to catastrophic failures such as leaks or ruptures, which could result in severe injuries or property damage.
To ensure safety and reliability, it's also essential to use compatible materials and follow proper installation procedures recommended by the manufacturer. Additionally, regular inspections can help identify potential issues early on before they escalate into major problems.
Understanding the B16.5 flange rating system is vital in ensuring optimal performance of your piping system while maintaining safety standards within your facility.
ANSI flange ratings are an important consideration when selecting the right type of flange for your application. The rating system is based on pressure classes, which determine the maximum allowable working pressure at a specific temperature range.
The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) classifies flanges into seven different pressure classes: 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500 and 2500. Each class corresponds to a specific maximum allowable working pressure in pounds per square inch (psi).
For example, ANSI Class 150 flanges have a maximum allowable working pressure of up to 285 psi at temperatures ranging from -20°F to +100°F. On the other hand, ANSI Class 2500 flanges have a much higher maximum allowable working pressure of up to 3625 psi at temperatures ranging from -20°F to +100°F.
It's essential to carefully select the appropriate ANSI flange rating for your application as choosing one that can't withstand the operating conditions may result in catastrophic failure and significant damage.
Understanding ANSI flange ratings is crucial when it comes to selecting the right type of flange for your application. Always consult with an expert or refer to industry standards before making any decisions regarding your piping system's specifications.
In summary, the ANSI B16.5-ASME B16.5 flange specification is a widely recognized standard in the industry for designing and manufacturing steel flanges that are durable, reliable, and safe to use. It provides comprehensive guidelines on dimensions, materials, pressure ratings, tolerances, bolt sizes and patterns.
To ensure compliance with this standard and guarantee top-quality products for your industrial applications, it's essential to choose an ANSI B16.5 steel flange manufacturer that has a proven track record of excellence in producing precision-engineered flanges.
Look for manufacturers who invest heavily in research & development to keep up with changing market demands; use advanced technologies such as CNC machining centers or 3D modeling software; have state-of-the-art testing facilities such as hydrostatic test rigs or ultrasonic flaw detectors; follow strict quality control protocols including ISO certification processes.
By working with an experienced ANSI B16.5 steel flange manufacturer like these ones you can be confident that your projects will meet all necessary requirements while also ensuring safety and long-term reliability of your equipment/systems without compromising on performance or durability which is crucial especially when dealing with high-pressure environments where even small mistakes can lead to catastrophic events!
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