How Are Carbon Steel Flanges Produced?

Understanding ASME flanges

ASME flanges are a type of connecting component that is mostly used in pipeline systems to connect two pipes, fittings or equipment. As we all know, ASME flanges can be made of various materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel or alloy steel, which results in the distinction between carbon steel flanges and stainless steel flanges.

Compared with stainless steel flanges, carbon steel flanges have a slightly poorer corrosion resistance, but they still have good sealing performance and flexibility. They won't affect each other in the operation process, and only one section of steel pipe needs to be opened.  This special function reduces the loss caused by sudden disasters to a lower degree during the use of carbon steel flanges. It is more suitable for use in pipeline repair work. So, do you know how carbon steel flanges are produced? What should be paid attention to during the production of carbon steel flanges?

Understanding the production of carbon steel flanges

Different methods and techniques are used for the production and development of carbon steel flanges. Common methods for the production of carbon steel flanges include forging, rolling, spinning, and inflating. Forging is a method of using a profiled forging machine to stretch the end or part of the pipe to expand the outside diameter of the ASME flange. Commonly used profiled forging machines include twist-type, connecting rod-type, and rolling-type. Spinning is to place a core check valve inside the pipe to be pressed with a rolling wheel, used for ASME flange processing in circular edges. Rolling is usually without a core shaft, suitable for the inner circumferential ASME flange of thick-walled pipes. Inflating has two processing methods. One is to place rubber inside the pipe, compress it with a punch from the top to make the pipe protrude and form, and the other is to inflate it with hydraulic pressure. Liquid, relying on the pressure of the liquid to inflate the pipe into the required shape.

What to pay attention to when producing carbon steel flanges?

Carbon steel flanges are welded by 2 clamping bottom plates at 90°, 2 ASME flange support plates, 2 vertical plates, and 4 reinforcement plates. In order to ensure the stiffness of the device, the connected plate seams should be chamfered and welded through, and the welding angle should be 20-30mm high. Corresponding bolt holes are drilled on the ASME flange support plates, and there is a gap between the small end ASME flange and the support plate where a small manual jack can be inserted. At the same time, a gap is opened on the flange support plate in the direction of the vertical plate to facilitate the installation of the elbow into the fixture. When the fixture is clamped on the workbench, the plane of the machined ASME ASME flange should be concentric and parallel to the vertical lathe workbench. In order to reduce the number of fixtures, the fixture should be able to change its clamping position to ensure that both ends of the elbow ASME flange can be machined on one fixture. The fixture also needs to have sufficient rigidity, otherwise it will seriously affect the machining quality of the ASME flange sealing ring groove.