Flanges have a basic purpose: to reinforce the ring, collar, rim, or ridge of an object such as a pipe, beam, or column. Flanges enhance stiffness and strength while also providing more surface area for attaching another object. Flanges can be made out of a variety of materials, depending on the application’s needs and piping material.
The choice of flange connectors is determined by a variety of parameters, including cost, flow pressure, operating temperature, and environmental corrosion. The following are the eight materials useful for the building of flanges:
Copper
Copper flanges improve conductivity. The finest part is that they are not magnetic and can endure greater loads than other materials. They are also capable of operating at extreme temperatures. Copper flanges are commonly used in plumbing. They are also helpful in valve parts and pumps along with electrical components and power generation.
Titanium
Titanium is famous for its extreme durability and is exceptionally lightweight properties. The demand for titanium flanges in the aerospace industry is rising. They prefer titanium for superior aircraft construction. Besides its use in aircraft frames, titanium also has excellent resistance to heat that makes it one of the perfect materials for aircraft engines. Its properties make it one of the most expensive manufacturing materials.
Aluminium
Aluminum is by far the most popular metal in the business. It is lightweight and has an excellent weight-to-strength ratio. Aluminum flanges have a tiny oxide coating on their surface, which provides great corrosion protection. Architectural frames, naval equipment, wheels, and automobile frames are made of aluminum alloys or aluminum.
Superalloys
Superalloys are based on elements such as cobalt and nickel. These metals are notable for their ability to survive severe environments. They must be resistant to high temperatures and acidic corrosion while also being wearable. Superalloys are ideal for the following:
Oil and gas
Defense
Aerospace parts
Assemblies in chemical and marine industries
Turbines
Valves
Piping system
Pump parts
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a popular material for foodservice equipment, medical tools, and other products that require periodic sanitizing. Its applications do not end here; they are also useful in ovens and furnaces that require strong heat resistance.
Many users prefer stainless steel flanges. A grade known as ‘austenitic’ stainless steel is ideal for restaurant equipment and other applications that require strong corrosion resistance and regular cleaning. ‘Martensitic’ and duplex stainless steel flanges are also very resistant to pitting and cracking.
Tool steel
Tool steel billets or ingots are ideal for making flanges. The reason is that they include carbon and other alloys that react with iron. The mixture serves to reinforce the steel, making it more impact-resistant and durable. The most prevalent applications for tool steel are those that require durability and dependability during continuous operation. Tool steel, for example, is useful in the production of machines in the manufacturing business.
Carbon steel
Manufacturers frequently utilize several grades of carbon steel to produce flanges. It is usually determined by the requirements of ductility, impact strength, wear resistance, and hardness. Consider low carbon steel, which is strong and ductile because to its low carbon content. High carbon steel is both durable and firm, but manufacturers must follow a specialized technique to heat and cure the materials. The majority of vehicle components, such as frames, pans, fenders, and transmission covers, are made from carbon steel.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steel is one of the iron-based materials that contains less than 4% chromium. It contains nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, copper, and silicon. Alloy steel is a material that is widely used in the manufacture of pipe connections. It is more durable, tougher, and stronger than you might expect. Aside from alloy flanges, several industries use alloy steel. This includes:
Industrial machinery
Military
Chemical
Wind energy
Gas and oil
Aerospace
Conclusion
The performance of the flange is clearly dependent on the materials listed above. The key performance characteristics of the flange are durability, ease of assembly, and weight. You can select the appropriate type of flange based on your performance requirements. We hope that with this information, you will be able to distinguish between these eight materials before selecting a certain flange.
