Xplore Orld Iping: Definition and Details of Flanges
Xplore Orld Iping: Definition and Details of Flanges
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http://www.wermac.org/flanges/flanges_general_part5.html
10/19/2012
Flanges General - Flange Faces - Raised Face (RF), Flat Face (FF), Ring-Type Joint (RTJ... Page 2 of 3
In Pressure Classes 400, 600, 900, 1500 & 2500 Lbs, the height of raised face is approximately 6.4 mm (1/4 inch). In these Pressure Classes, most suppliers show the H and B dimensions excluding the raised face height. See figure 2 on the image above.
R ring that is manufactured in accordance with ASME B16.20 used with ASME B16.5 flanges, class 150 to 2500.
Style "R" ring type joints are manufactured in both oval and octagonal configurations. The octagonal cross section has a higher sealing efficiency than the oval and would be the preferred gasket. However, only the oval cross section can be used in the old type round bottom groove. The newer flat bottom groove design will accept either the oval or the octagonal cross section. The sealing surfaces on the ring joint grooves must be smoothly finished to 63 Microinches and be free of objectionable ridges, tool or chatter marks. They seal by an initial line contact or a wedging action as the compressive forces are applied. The hardness of the ring should always be less than the hardness of the flanges. Style R ring type joints are designed to seal pressure up to 6,250 psi in accordance with ASME B16.5 pressure ratings and up to 5,000 psi.
Tongue-and-Groove (T&G)
The Tongue and Groove faces of this flanges must be matched. One flange face has a raised ring (Tongue) machined onto the flange face while the mating flange has a matching depression (Groove) machined into it's face. Tongue-and-groove facings are standardized in both large and small types. They differ from male-and-female in that the inside diameters of the tongue-and-groove do not extend into the flange base, thus retaining the gasket on its inner and outer diameter. These are
http://www.wermac.org/flanges/flanges_general_part5.html
10/19/2012
Flanges General - Flange Faces - Raised Face (RF), Flat Face (FF), Ring-Type Joint (RTJ... Page 3 of 3
commonly found on pump covers and Valve Bonnets. Tongue-and-groove joints also have an advantage in that they are self-aligning and act as a reservoir for the adhesive. The scarf joint keeps the axis of loading in line with the joint and does not require a major machining operation. General flange faces such as the RTJ, T&G and the F&M shall never be bolted together. The reason for this is that the contact surfaces do not match and there is no gasket that has one type on one side and another type on the other side. Image of Tongue and Groove flange types.
Male-and-Female (M&F)
With this type the flanges also must be matched. One flange face has an area that extends beyond the normal flange face (Male). The other flange or mating flange has a matching depression (Female) machined into it's face. The female face is 3/16-inch deep, the male face is 1/4-inch high, and both are smooth finished. The outer diameter of the female face acts to locate and retain the gasket. Custom male and female facings are commonly found on the Heat Exchanger shell to channel and cover flanges.
Several times I have been asked: may I join or match an RTJ flange with a RF flange?. My answer of course: that is not allowed. Today April 29, 2012, the question was asked again. I will try to explain why a connection between an RF and RTJ flange is not acceptable. RTJ flanges have grooves in their sealing faces, while RF flanges do not. If you want to make a connection between the two flanges, you can only apply a flat gasket. This flat gasket wil be make full contact with de sealing surface of the RF flange, but not with the sealing surface of the RTJ flange. Due to the groove in the flange RTJ a certain portion of the gasket is not utilized, and therefore it is not possible to make a properly sealed flange connection. Further, the RTJ flange will be damage the gasket, especially if a spiral wound or metal jacketed gasket is applied. My advice is: never make an RF-RTJ flange connection. Maybe do you have not direct a spill, but when an accident happens, the insurance experts know where they can find you. Consider injuries or fatalities, a wrong flange connection is't worth it.
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Werner Slken 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved. Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. Albert Einstein
http://www.wermac.org/flanges/flanges_general_part5.html
10/19/2012