Flange fittings are dem handy components y'all use for joinin' pipe sections together with other fluid control gear like pumps and valves to build up your pipelines. Now, when folks talk 'bout fittings, they're usually thinkin' of the ones that help out with plastic and metal pipes carryin' fluids down the line.
But I tell you what, there's other pipe fittings out there helpin' connect pipes for handrails and fancy architectural work, where you ain't gotta worry 'bout a leak-proof seal. You might be seein' those a whole lot more in your day-to-day livin', I reckon.
All About Dem Flange Fittings
Flange fittings might be mechanically joined, threaded or welded, and even chemically glued together (just to name the most common ways, dependin' on what kinda pipe material you're workin' with).
Now, folks been mixin' up their words when it comes to tubing, tube, and pipe. So, you're gonna see the term pipe fittings pop up sometimes right in the middle of tubing specs. While they look a lot like tube fittings, pipe fittings are joined up by methods like solderin' and a whole lot less like your everyday welds. A few ways do overlap, like compression fittings, but while dem are mighty common for connectin' tubing or tubes, you ain't gonna see 'em much in pipe connections.
Usin' Alternate Flange Fittings in Other Industries
Dat fluid power industry is fixin' to shift over to connections with an elastomeric O-ring seal. It sure does help keep dem leakages down to a minimum. These fittings include the threaded face seal, ISO 6149, SAE J518, flange fittings, and flanges (Code 62 and Code 61), where dat O-ring seal plays nice with the fluid.
A captive flange is mighty practical when you're fittin' tube-to-tube (or hose or pipe), yessir. Captive flange fittings just slip right over dem flared tubes and give you a fine connection to the mating flange or other parts. Folks commonly use captive flanges with MJ-Flange Straight fittings. You get a nice smooth clearance to slide right over the fittings and seat 'em on the head of the flange. Split flanges sure are helpful when you're workin' with 90 or 45 flange fittings.
Why Flange Fittings Are Good For Ya
Even though there's some specific jobs where flange fittings and flanges are the only way to go, flanges give your piping system benefits that dem traditional hydraulic fittings just can't match. For instance, when you're dealin' with larger OD applications, flanges can hook up to the pipe and component ports a whole lot easier than adapters or threaded fittings. Most importantly, in the roughest service jobs on mobile construction equipment, flanged connections are the best bet for:
- Easy assembly in tight spots where your wrenches might not have the room to install dem traditional flange fittings. You can put 'em together right quick with just moderate torque.
- Gettin' into hard-to-reach areas that need some flexibility. For example, it helps do away with the need for extra pipe or hose lines, adapters in the tube, and all dat.
- Pipe, tube, or big ol' hose connections where high pressure, vibration, shock, and pressure surges are kickin' around and could bust up a traditional large hydraulic fitting real easy.
- Makin' connections that let you do easy maintenance on rigid lines like continuous metal tubes and pipes without a fuss.
- Cuttin' down the chances of your parts rattlin' loose in dem rigorous hydraulic jobs.
When You Oughta Use a Flange Fitting
With flange connections in these bigger sizes, high-pressure situations let you put things together a whole lot easier than overusin' dem large fittings. On top of dat, flange fittings give you a zero-clearance assembly, so it's easy to disconnect and hook back up when you're maintainin' manifold, tube, and hose connections. As a result, you can get the job done much faster and get a more accurate torque on dem bolts instead of fightin' to get the proper torque on a big ol' fitting.
Wrappin' It Up
Flange fittings connections ain't nearly as likely to rattle loose as your standard hydraulic fitting, long as you got the proper load distribution clampin' down around the flange head. On the flip side, flange connections are the absolute best choice for hose-end connections with bends in 'em. Dat's 'cause they take a beatin' from very high lateral forces that'd normally cause your assembly to come loose.
If y'all are interested in flange fittings, holler at Texas Flange today!
