Stainless Steel Plate Flanges are an essential industrial product. They are used in different industries such as in refineries, fertilizer industry, chemical industry, sugar mills, paper mills, petrochemical plants, factories, cement plants, and so on. There are various kinds and types of steel plate flanges that range from small to large sizes and are especially designed for specific purposes. Although these accessories look small and insignificant, they actually play a crucial role in the overall operation an industrial company. In fact, a single worn out steel plate flange can hamper the entire operation of a manufacturing plant.
Because of the vital role played by these industrial accessories, Steel Plate Flanges undergo thorough testing and evaluation for their durability and quality before they are released. Manufacturers of steel plate accessories ensure that every unit passes the series of test that include flaring test, pressure test, flattening test and curling test. These tests guarantee that the plate can withstand constant exposure to wear and tear situations.
How are these plate flanges used?
A plate flange is often used to allow connection between pipes. It is normally welded on the end of a pipe thereby allowing to be connected to another pipe. To ensure that there are no leaks in the attachments, a gasket is often put between them. Bolt holes surround the perimeter of the flange plate and are used to create tees, junctions and joints.
When developing a pipeline, it is difficult to know the exact lengths of pipes to be used. Usually, manufacturers produce pipes that are uniform in sizes and lengths. Plate Flanges come as a separate accessory so that they can be welded at any portion of the pipe, and at the desired length. Since the plate is separate, it can be welded onto the pipe with slight bias, allowing precise alignment of the pipeline.
Depending on the project requirements, flange plates often come in uniform design regardless of the material used. This means that you can use a 6-inch stainless steel flange with a black pipe flange. The inside surface of the flange plates have a serrated finish to allow the gasket material to fit in securely and ensure perfect seal between connections.
Stainless Steel Plate Flanges are supplied in different styles that are designed for specific purposes. For instance, blind plates are used to cap or cover the end of a pipe that needs to be blocked off or sealed. Another type is the slip-on plate which can be slid onto a pipe and weld permanently. The socket weld-style allows easy connection and disconnection of pipes. There are also plates that come with bevels and chamfers that are used to ensure alignment of pipes.
You see, these plates are vital parts of the entire pipeline. Without flange plates, it is difficult or downright impossible to add or remove sections in an existing pipeline without disrupting the entire operation of the piping system.
Considering the importance of plate flanges, it is imperative that you choose a reliable supplier of stainless steel plate flanges. For quality steel pipe flanges, be sure to visit Sumitec.com.
