Flanged Fittings

Flanged Fittings

Flanged fittings connect to pipe using a flanged end that bolts to a mating flange on the pipe, valve, or adjacent fitting — creating a joint that can be assembled and disassembled without welding. This is the primary advantage of flanged connections over welded connections: a flanged joint can be broken for maintenance, component replacement, or system modification without requiring a welder or hot work permit. Flanged fittings are standard in process piping, industrial plant, and any system where valves, instruments, or pipe sections must be routinely removed and reinstalled. AIMS Industrial supplies flanged fittings in carbon steel and stainless steel for industrial applications.

Types of Flanged Fittings

• Flanged elbows (90° and 45°): Change flow direction at a flanged joint. The flanged ends allow the elbow to be positioned at any rotational angle before bolting, providing flexibility in tight pipework routing.
• Flanged tees: Branch a flanged pipe run at 90°. Equal and reducing tee variants suit different branch flow requirements.
• Flanged reducers: Step the pipe size down while maintaining flanged connectivity at both ends. Concentric and eccentric variants as for butt weld reducers.

Flange Standards and Pressure Ratings

Flanges and flanged fittings in Australian industrial piping are most commonly to ANSI/ASME B16.5 (imperial, in common use across Australian industry) or AS 4087 (Australian Standard). Flange pressure class (Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500) must be matched to the system operating pressure and temperature — higher pressure classes have thicker flanges and require higher bolt loads. Mixing pressure classes creates an unrated joint that may fail in service. Always verify flange class and facing type (raised face, flat face) when ordering flanged fittings for an existing system.

Gaskets

Flanged joints require a gasket between the mating faces to achieve a seal. Gasket material must be compatible with the fluid and operating temperature: spiral wound gaskets for steam and high-temperature service; PTFE envelope gaskets for chemical service; full-face rubber gaskets for low-pressure water service. Gaskets are replaced whenever a flanged joint is broken — reusing a compressed gasket results in an unreliable seal. For flanged fitting selection and pressure class guidance, contact our team.

Service Conditions and Material Selection

Carbon steel flanged fittings are the standard for general industrial service — steam, compressed air, water, and hydrocarbon media at moderate pressures and temperatures. Stainless steel flanged fittings are specified for corrosive media, food and beverage processing, and chemical service where carbon steel would corrode or contaminate the process. AIMS Industrial supplies flanged fittings in carbon and stainless steel, and our team can assist with specification confirmation for specific service conditions and pressure classes.