Flanges - Texas Flange

December 31, 2021

What are the Various Factors to Identify Suitable Flanges for Your Work?

It is crucial to choose the right flange for the application. If you want the flange to function, it must fit perfectly into the pipe joints. If you make one slight mistake while selecting the flange, it may affect the application and result in a costly error. For optimum usability, you can address the considerations relevant in choosing the right flange that goes well with the applications.

Flange size

The flange size consists of several variables. These include the right pressure class, standards used, and right flange measurement. The inner diameter, outer diameter, number of bolt holes, the diameter of the bolt holes, and the bolt circle are influences. Flanges are available in many sizes ranging from 48″ (1200NB) to 1/2″ (15NB).

Flange types

If you identify the flange type by its appearance, it is usually easy. Decide whether the flange has a socket weld, solder collar neck, lap joint, threaded bore, or flat face and that defines the basics.

You can start by choosing if it has a flat face that is completely raised or a flat face that is a slightly raised portion on the flange face with marked bottoms. There are many different types of flanges as indicated previously, in various material grades of carbon and stainless steel.

Flange thickness

Define a flange by how it handles the high pressure. Apart from this, thickness plays a crucial role as thicker flanges can better handle higher pressures in an application.

Bolt holes

The pressure class and size of the flange helps to determine this component. The actual size, pitch circle diameter, and the number of bolt holes, on the flanges, are the three variables that need consideration. The stronger and heavier bolt results in higher pressure that withstands the flange. The pattern must match up to the item the flange is bolting to.

Flange standards

You can find a range in criteria that makes it tough to choose the flange standard. It is most likely that the choice is based on the standards and application of other components to which the flanges are linked. The three major standards used are JIS (Japanese International Standard), DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung / European), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute).

Pressure class

The pressure class is the nominal pressure quality that the product can safely work under or support. There are many pressure groups available for each standard, and it ranges from high-pressure tolerance to low-pressure tolerance. The pressure class of the items that operate together must be the same as the pressure class of the valves and pipes in the system to the ones they are connected. The pressure class of carbon and stainless steel flanges ranges from 2500#, 900#, 600#, 400#, 300#, 150#, and so on.

Flange materials

It is crucial to select the right material for a flange. You must know the elements it will face in an application that uses the piping method is essential. Common materials include copper nickel, carbon steel, stainless steel, and steel. The supporting materials of these flanges, such as stainless Steel 317 flanges, are flange bolts, ring joining, and gaskets.

Other factors for selecting flanges

Consider the tolerances, flange dimensions, temperature and pressure ratings, and pipe materials to determine the appropriate flange material. ANSI ratings help to provide information on heat and pressure tolerances. The fitting type is one of the crucial things to consider. The material you choose must allow welding. For non-welded styles like lap joints or threaded flanges, weldability is not a major concern, and other requirements will take precedence.

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal flange for work refers to the standards required for your intended application. You must consider the pipe material that can connect to the flange and ensure that the flange material you choose is rated for the pressure and temperature it must withstand.

At Texas Flange, we offer all types of flanges for various systems. Our specialists can help you to identify the right flange for your equipment. If you want more information, contact us today!

December 27, 2021

What are Various Types of Flanges Used in Piping Applications?

The main use of flange is to connect pumps, pipes, valves, and other equipment to make a pipework system. Usually, flanges are threaded or welded, and you can connect two flanges by bolting them with gaskets and providing a seal that gives easy access to the piping system.

These flanges are available in many types like socket weld flanges, blind flanges, weld neck flanges, and slip-on flanges, etc.

Here are various types of flanges used in the piping systems that depend on other factors.

Types of flanges

Here are a few most important types of flanges available for piping applications:

Slip-on flanges

The slip-on flange is a ring (with or without a hub) placed over the pipe’s end. The flange face extends from the end of the pipe by sufficient distance to apply a welded bead to the inner diameter. As the name suggests, these flanges slip over a pipe and are known as slip-on flanges.

Weld neck flanges

Weld neck flange is also known as a high-neck flange or tapered hub flange. The weld neck flange has a neck that can properly transfer the pipe tension. It also helps to reduce the pressure gathered at the bottom of the flange. It is compatible with pipelines that operate at low or high temperatures and withstand high pressure.

Socket weld flanges

The socket weld flangesare connected on the outside just by a fillet weld. It is often not advisable for critical services. These are useful for the small-bore lines in your system. The static strength is equivalent to slip-on flanges, but the fatigue strength is 50 percent higher than double-welded slip-on flanges. Often used as an alternative to weld necks when space is a constraint.

Blind flanges

The production of blind flanges happens without a bore and is utilized to blank off the ends of pressure vessel openings, valves, and pipes. If you look from the point of view of bolt loading and internal pressure, the most overstressed flange types are blind flanges which are quite bigger.

Lap joint flanges

Lap joint flanges are useful with stub ends when the pipe is made of expensive material. E.g., a carbon steel flange can be added to the stainless steel pipe system as the flanges do not come into contact with the substance in the pipe.

Threaded flanges

Threaded flanges look identical to slip-on flanges, but the key difference is that the threaded flange is bored out to match the inside diameter of the particular pipe. The threaded flange is a type of flange that has taper pipe threads in its bore conforming to ASME B1.20.1 and is helpful in piping systems.

Materials useful to manufacture flanges

Pipe flanges can be manufactured from many different materials that depend on the piping material and requirements of the application. Selection depends on the factors such as economy, flow pressure, operating temperature, and environmental corrosion. Some of the most common materials include the following:

Carbon steel

It is steel alloyed usually with carbon. The high strength and hardness that increases with carbon content, lower melting point, and ductility. This is the most common material grade.

Alloy steel

It is steel alloyed with one or more elements that change or enhance the properties of steel. Common alloys include chromium, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, and manganese.

Stainless steel

It is steel alloyed with chromium in amounts above 10%. Chromium enables stainless steel to have a much higher corrosion resistance than carbon steel that rusts readily from air and moisture exposure.

Cast irons

Iron when it is alloyed with silicon, carbon, and several other alloys makes cast iron. Silicon forces carbon out of the iron forms a black graphite layer on the exterior of the metal. Cast irons have good machinability, castability, and fluidity.

Aluminum

It is a low density, ductile, and malleable metal with medium strength. It has better corrosion resistance compared to any other typical alloy and carbon steel. It is most useful during flange construction that requires low weight and strength.

Brass

It is an alloy of zinc and copper, often comes with additional elements such as tin or lead. It is characterized by good conductivity, cold ductility, high-temperature ductility, and good strength.

PVC

(Note we do not offer polymer grade materials but have written on them for your benefit below)

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is a thermoplastic polymer that is easy to assemble, durable, and inexpensive. It is resistant to both biological and chemical corrosion. The addition of plasticizers makes it more flexible and soft.

Performance features

Performance features are the flange properties that may be dependent on many other factors but are essential to consider. The properties include the following:

Durability

It is the toughness or strength of a pipe flange under pressure or stress. Durability is dependent on the flange compatibility and the flange design with the pipes and the material strength.

Easy of assembly

It is a qualitative measure of the efficiency of the disassembly and assembly process. For applications with flange use as fix or temporary attachment, the ease of setting up and take down is crucial.

Weight

It is the heaviness or mass of the flange. It is dependent on the material density and size. Industrial buyers must consider the strength of the pipe or pipe support while dealing with high or large density flanges.

Conclusion

You can make out from the above different types of flanges, manufacturing, and performance features. You can choose the right steel flange manufactured from different materials like stainless steel, low alloy steel, carbon steel, duplex steel, or many more.

Choosing the right flange with the right material and knowing the elements that it faces during the application that uses the piping method is critical. We hope that this blog will help you identify the key things before purchasing flanges. To learn more about flange basics, visit https://www.texasflange.com/flange-basics/

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021

What are the Main Elements Of The Flange?

A flange is an extension of a structure and usually has holes drilled into it, usually with a flared or angled end to form a joint. These holes are placed in the flange to accommodate securing bolts. The flange joins or seals the various parts of the structure.

Below are the main elements of most flanges in our supply scope:

Dimensions of Flanges

Each flange ASME B16.5 has many standard dimensions. If a draftsman in Australia, or a work preparer in Japan, or a pipefitter in Canada is speaking about a Welding neck flange 6” – 150#-S40 ASME B16.5, the spec goes over the flange dimensional details established.

If the flange is ordered, the supplier wants to know the material quality. For example, ASTM A105 is a forged carbon steel flange, while A182 is a forged stainless steel flange specification.

Applications of flanges

The purpose of the flange depends on its design. It can help to increase the strength of the structure in the case of say an iron beam in structural steel. These are often useful in the construction of buildings and houses. A flange can also be used as a guide to keeping a particular object in place. It is common in train wheels with flanges on either side to prevent the wheels from changing directions. The most common use of a flange is to help attach objects like pipes. With the use of these items, the pipes can be easily disassembled or assembled.

Pipe flanges raw material specifications

The usual materials of flanges include polymer/plastic, aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel.

1. Raw material

2. Material Inspection

3. Material cutting

The choice of material depends on the flange’s purpose. For example, stainless steel flange is more durable and is crucial for heavy use in higher and colder temperatures. On the other hand, plastic is more feasible for use in the home because of its easy installation and reasonable prices.

Faces

The picture shows a serrated finish on a raised face. The face of the flange is usually designed to be a groove and tongue. It means that attaching two flat pieces to make one single surface. Another example of the design of a flange is the ring joint. This type of flange covers the entire face, including the external and internal portions of the bolts. Another face of the flange is the raised face, wherein a part of the face of the flange is elevated around it to seal the flat gasket.

Flange design

One of the most common designs of the flange is the welding neck. It is meant to be used in welding tubing or pipe. Another example is the blind flange. It is a type designed to have no opening in the center and is used to seal a connection or close off. A threaded flange has an external or internal thread opposite to its ring groove. Its purpose is to match with a standard threaded pipe.

General Flange standards

All flanges are manufactured following industry-accepted standards. Flanges usually follow standards set within the country. They are applied such as those set by the ANSI and API. These standards make the dimensions of the flanges uniform so they can be interchangeable. However, a flange that follows the API or ANSI may not fit into the standards followed abroad.

Other flanges facings covered by these standards include small and large tongue-and-groove facings and the ring joint facing specifically for ring joint type metal gaskets.

Flange types

There are three types of flange types which are optional, integral, and loose.

Blind, lap-joint, socket weld, threaded, slip-on, welding neck flange follow standard types. You will be able to see that the flanges available in the type of the flange are very similar to them. All the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ described there can be applied here.

The types divide the flanges into three main groups: optional, integral, and loose. Here are the descriptions of these three types:

Loose type flanges

It is a type that covers the designs in which flange has no direct connection to the pipe wall, vessel, neck, and nozzle where the method of attachment is not taken into consideration to give the mechanical strength equivalent to the integral attachment.

Integral type flanges

This type covers designs where the flange is forged and cast integrally with butt welded, pipe wall or vessel, or nozzle neck. They are attached by other forms of gas or arc welding of such a nature that the flange and nozzle neck, vessel, or pipe wall is considered equivalent to an integral structure.

Optional Type Flanges

The type covers designs where the attachment of the flange to the pipe wall, vessel, neck, or nozzle is such that the assembly is considered to act as a unit.

Conclusion

The above points explain the basic flange design and its main elements. However, remember that a wide range of flanges is available in the market. It is why it is impossible to list out every detail, configuration, and consideration.

If you have any further inquiries or want to know more about the main elements of the flange, contact Texas Flange today!

November 15, 2021

Factors to Consider When Choosing Flanges for Your Industrial Piping System

Flanges play a vital role in the gas and oil piping system, connecting valves with other equipment. Pipe flanges are the second-most commonly used joining mechanism after welding. It also provides an added flexibility that allows easier disassembly and assembly of pipe systems. They provide easy access during inspection, repairs, and cleaning of natural gas and oil pipelines.

Here are a few factors to keep in mind during the flange selection process:

Flange types

Flanges come in different types for industrial use. You may need to choose carefully an ideal flange design that fits well with your piping system. The most common type of flanges used in the petrochemical industry are:

1. Slip-on flange

2. Welding neck flange (buttweld)

3. Socket weld flange (counterbore)

4. Blind flange

5. Lap joint flange (rotating flange)

6. Threaded (companion) flange

Other special flanges commonly used in the gas and oil industry include:

Nipoflange

Reducing flange

Expander flange

Orifice flange

Long weld neck flanges

The flange face types and design may have a significant impact on the piping system’s final performance.

Material

Forged carbon steel pipes are one of the common types present in the market. Additionally, you can find flanges manufactured from bronze, cast iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. You may also find flanges with specialty metals like Monel, Inconel, and chrome-moly. The type of material used depends on the piping systems and industrial application. It is to ensure that they are strong and durable enough in the long run. However, in most instances, the flanges and pipes are made of the same material.

Size

If you want a flange in a proper fit, you need to look into the flange dimensions and size. You need to be keen on how the flange interfaces with the pipes and gaskets to ensure an ideal size. Below are a few standard dimension considerations:

1. Pipe size

2. Thickness

3. Bolt circle diameter

4. Inner diameter

5. Nominal bore size

6. Outside diameter

Classifications

All flanges fall under different categories specified by ASTM or ASME standards. Characteristics of a specific flange type impact its performance across a range of industrial environments. Steel pipes are available in a variety of pressure classes and styles. The classification of metal flanges is from 150 to 2500# rating. Some standard classifications used in petrochemical industries include:

2500# (and higher for API)

1500#

900#

600#

300#

150#

The different categories vary depending on the temperature and pressure tolerances, flange size, design, or material used. The pressure ratings may decrease with the rise in temperature.

Thickness

Depending on how thick the flange is, it is easy to determine the high pressure it can handle, in any application thicker flange can resist higher pressures.

Bolt holes

Bolt holes make it easy to measure the size of the pressure class and flange. The number of bolt holes, pitch circle diameter, and the actual bolt hole size on the flanges are 3 factors that need to be addressed.

Pressure class

Pressure class helps to understand the marginal pressure level under which the flange can function safely and sustain. Each standard has several levels of pressure available, from high pressure to low-pressure tolerance. The pressure level of the products to which the flange will be connected must be the same as the valves and pipes in the process.

Statistic on Industrial Pipeline

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the US Department of Transportation have made an estimate which shows approximately 1,585,672 miles of natural gas pipeline and 160,521 miles of liquid petroleum pipeline across the nation. Over 28.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was delivered to consumers in 2019 via the gas integrated transportation network.

Conclusion

There’s an endless list of factors to consider when you choose flanges for the Industrial Pipeline system. However, the given above are a few specific or crucial ones you must not skip out. We hope that with the help of this guide, you will be able to identify the key things before purchasing flanges. To learn more about flange basics, visit https://www.texasflange.com/flange-basics/

June 15, 2021

Things to Know Before Buying Flanges

Flanges are one of the most crucial elements of assemblies in the oil and gas industries, but it is an undeniable fact their selection can be a bit mysterious to the average consumer. Most piping systems today rely on flanges to function correctly. However, flange maintenance is something that most people don’t understand properly. The more you know about flanges, the less risk there will be in operation.

Below are a few of the facts that you might not be aware of about flanges. They are the key things that are necessary to help continue the functioning of components in pipeline service industries.

Offer Different Grades Of Material

You need to buy the best material grade for your application. When corners are cut, things can become challenging and can cost even more in repair and maintenance. You should invest in purchasing flanges that suit your project’s overall needs.

So, what are the different grades of material?

The material grade comes in with a combination of letters and numbers and is indicative of the use, chemical composition, and mechanical properties of the product. You must study the material grades very carefully before you decide to purchase.

Also, note that if the placement of flanges is not correct, the assembly can fail. It may even result in people, especially workers, getting injured or even claiming life. You must pay careful attention to the types of flanges, their steel and manufacturing origins, and the manufacturing quality.

There are a few key material grades for pipe flanges. These are:

1. ASTM A182 F51, ASTM A182 F53/55 (super duplex and duplex flange), and high grades (Monel Hastelloy, Inconel flange).

2. ASTM A182 F321, F316, F304 (stainless steel flange)

3. ASTM A182 F11 to F91 (alloy steel flange)

4. ASTM A694 (MSS SP-44 high yield carbon steel flanges for line pipes)

5. ASTM A350 LF1, LF2, LF3, LF6 (CS flange for lower temperature service)

6. ASTM A105 (carbon steel flanges for normal to high-temperature services)

The flange and pipe material must match as per the ASTM piping materials selection charts.

Manufacturing from different materials

Common materials include bronze, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and plastic (although we do not deal in polymers, nor are they included in B16.5). At times, the different materials are beneficial in creating the same single flange types.

Different forms of flanges

Flange distributors offer many types of flanges. There is no single type of flange which suits every situation. The selection of the flange must happen carefully by taking care of all the measures. If the wrong flange is used in the project, it can be disastrous.

A few popular pipe flanges include orifice, socket, threaded, lap joint, slip-on, weld neck, and blind. Each of these flanges serves different purposes.

The meaning of an orifice flange is that it must house an orifice meter that can easily track the speed of flow within a pipe, as well as temperature and pressure. It is one reason why the orifice meter has become one of those complex parts to create. On the other hand, blind flangeis one of the most uncomplicated flange designs and pairs well with a ring flange which does not require much to assemble.

If you need multiple kinds of flanges in a single project, it would be wise to work with a single provider for all of them. It helps avoid sourcing issues and ensures that all the products are made with the same quality standards.

Casting and forging of flanges

There are two kinds of methods that are useful for the creation of flanges. These include forging and casting. Both the cast and forged flanges may work well, but each production method has certain disadvantages and advantages. Cast are seen as outdated and not useful for high-stress service.

The creation of cast products can be seen when they pour the molten metal into a mold or vessel to create the desired shape. Billets and steel ingots are useful when it comes to the creation of forged products. Exposure to thermal and mechanical pressures helps them to manipulate different shapes.

The issue with the cast flanges is that they are much more prone to internal defects. It means that you cannot use them in extremely high-pressure situations as there is a possibility of sudden failures without any warnings. As there would be a risk of internal flaws, the cast flanges are also most likely to be heavily affected by corrosion.

In contrast, forged flanges are not only reliable but also able to withstand more pressure. Forged parts come with around 37% fatigue strength. It is higher than other types, and it means that they last longer. Therefore, it is best to invest in high-strength that forge products as it is usually better for long-term investments using the high-pressure application.

Conclusion

If you are not fully aware of varied types and applications before buying flanges, the above facts will help you understand and make the right choice for your industrial project. We hope that with the help of this guide, you will be able to identify the key things before purchasing flanges. To learn more about flange basics, visit https://www.texasflange.com/flange-basics/

June 7, 2021

The Benefits and Uses of Stainless Steel Flanges

Flanges make a vital connection in industries when it comes to valves, piping, and other equipment. They also provide an easy point of access for modification, inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs. A flanged joint provides a strong seal in a closed system.

In heavy industries, the flanges need to be resilient, and they prove to be the weak point in a system if not selected properly. It is therefore essential to ensure that the flanges you choose are up to the task.

Use of stainless steel flanges in industries

Stainless steel comes in with the same standard carbon and iron compositions, along with nickel and trace amounts of other elements. But one thing that makes it stand out is that it also contains chromium. It is an alloy that gives corrosion resistance, and therefore a stainless finish.

Most of the more expensive grades come with high resistance to corrosion. Chemicals, rust, and other environmental factors take a toll on metals. It is the reason why the flange choice must be the one that is resistant to these factors. Stainless steel easily outperforms comparison to other entry-level metals that are variants of carbon steel.

The functioning of stainless steel is that it is durable and incredibly sturdy for most applications, and that can it withstand immense pressures. If you compare, aluminum may come as a cheaper option, but it is softer and unreliable under heavy stress and extreme temperature variations.

Any piece or system of equipment is only as robust as its weakest part. Welds and joints are known to be weak points and need to withstand very high pressure. The correct grade of stainless steel flange is helpful to ensure that no deformation or warping would compromise the system.

Benefits of using stainless steel flange

Stainless steel flanges are essential in industries like beverage, food, water, gas, and transport. It also provides several benefits, a few of these including:

Corrosion and stain resistance:

Stainless steel flanges are excellent in a wide range of atmospheric environments and many corrosive media. It is resistant to crevice and pitting corrosion in warm chloride environments. It is also resistant to corrosion that cracks below approximately 60°C.

Versatility and strength:

You can add different materials like nitrogen, molybdenum, nickel to stainless steel to enhance the corrosion-resistant properties. ASTM A182 specified flanges can handle extreme temperatures and have higher strength at elevated temperatures above 500°C up to about 800°C.

Appearance:

Stainless steel flange are one of the excellent choices for commercial establishments. The reason is that the material has a naturally elegant and shiny look compared to weathered carbon.

Value:

When you use stainless steel flange, you buy durable products that will help your projects last longer for decades. It is a reliable material that is easy to install and maintain. Stainless steel is one of the low-maintenance metals because of its non-corrosive properties. It is unlikely that it needs a replacement for decades.

Environment-friendly:

You can use stainless steel in all types of water. Applications include drinking water in public supply. The flanges have excellent resistance to the full range of potable waters, including various chloride levels.

Stainless steel is not a petroleum product in and of itself. It doesn’t need to be lined or coated with any materials at all, unlike some other materials. When you want to dispose of or replace the steel flanges, they are scrap-friendly and recyclable – helpful in reducing the environmental impact.

Material benefits:

The combination of corrosion resistance with high strength allows a reduction in flange weight and thickness. Stainless steel can withstand even high flow rates – over 40m/s – that makes it capable of resisting even long-term exposure to the elements in almost any environment.

Economic benefits:

Stainless steel flanges are low maintenance and do not have an additional coating for outdoor and indoor applications. The expected lifetime of a stainless steel system is for more than 50 years. It helps in reducing the maintenance, replacement, and downtime costs over the life of the installation.

No blasting, painting, or welding:

When you use flanges, there is no requirement to weld the pipe spools. In the same way, blasting and painting also become unnecessary, unlike other methods and fittings.

Ease of modification and fast fabrication:

Flange use can help in speeding up the process. If you are all ready to take the benefits of flanges, you can look here to get a complete range of stainless steel flanges with us.

Conclusion

Even though you will find a range of flanges in the market, we offer you the best quality product for your particular application. Nothing can beat steel flanges, even if it is the carbon steel flanges. As you have already read about the uses and benefits of stainless steel flanges above, we hope you’ve now received good knowledge about steel flanges and whether they are the best option for you.

If you want any specific information, then contact Texas Flange today!

April 20, 2021

The Airline Industry Has Been Hit Hard By The Oil Price Plunge

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has damaged the oil and gas industry just as much as it has all others. The primary effect was a huge and immediate price plunge which threatened to linger for some time. With this massive price plunge, the experts correctly expected that it would hit the airline industry hard enough to send some people out of business. The leading U.S. oil benchmark cost went down by more than $50 per barrel to end the day about $30 below zero last spring; the first time oil prices have ever turned negative. Such eye-popping instances are a rarity in the supply and delivery of contracts and physical inventories the oil market, but it underscores the industry’s disarray as the coronavirus pandemic decimates the world economy.

Journey of oil prices from 1960 to 2021

If you review the historical per-barrel price for oil from 1960 to 2021, you will find that the price was below $3 till 1973. After that, it started increasing and reached $35.52 in the year 1980. After lots of ups and downs, it reached $94.1 in the year 2008, which extended over the expected range relative to inflation from decades prior. The price reached its pinnacle in 2012 with $109.45 a barrel. After that, the price started decreasing as overwhelmingly more supply came online due to the advances in on shore fracking for countries which were typically net importers. During the pandemic in 2020, the price was $41.47 a barrel. After that, the curve has taken a quick run up in the past few months and reached $57.72 a barrel.

(Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/262858/change-in-opec-crude-oil-prices-since-1960/).

Decreasing demands of oil

The gas and oil market consists of gas and oil sales by entities that undertake the exploration for, extraction, drilling, and refining, of oil and gas and some of its derivatives. The gas and oil market is segmented into gas and oil upstream activities and downstream products for oil. Worldwide demand had collapsed spectacularly last year, and it’s hitting the airline industry so hard to this day. Despite a deal by Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other nations to cut production, the world is running out of places to put all the oil the industry keeps pumping out — about 100 million barrels a day. At the start of the year, oil sold for over $60 a barrel, which is quite a recovery considering the price collapse from the year prior.

Impacts to the travel industry: a notable example

Virgin Australia Airlines announced that it had entered voluntary administration after the Australian government refused a bailout for the company of 1.4 billion Australian dollars. The airline officials said they hoped to recapitalize the business to emerge stronger after the coronavirus crisis to regain it once slowly, but in the meantime, they would operate scheduled flights for transporting moving freight, essential workers, and returning Australians home.

How the oil industry affects other industries?

The oil and gas industry’s major end-user markets (including airlines) are looking into big data analytics and artificial intelligence (A.I.) to enhance decision-making abilities and drive profits just as this upstream industry does in sourcing raw crude. The companies gather vast amounts of raw data relating to pipelines, refineries, and other infrastructure through many sensors placed across the oil rigs. Using big data analytics, the companies can detect patterns that can quickly react to unwanted changes or potential defects, thus saving costs. A.I. allows the companies to make better drilling and operational decisions and will continue to do so as advancements are made well into the future.

April 15, 2021

Importance of ASTM Standards For You

The use of flanges has grown significantly over time, prominently due to the development of new infrastructures and their need to export gases and liquids. Usually, flanges and piping are crucial for developing these export pathways, and refineries come with high volume requirements for industrial flanges.

Something often regarded as one of the essential steps during the process is finding a reliable and trustworthy contractor. Some contractors and subcontractors try to cut corners when it comes to making more money, leading to unnecessary replacements and costly repairs at the end of your project launch.

It has become essential to interview suppliers and contractors and find out if they follow the standards set by ASTM or not. Make sure they follow the protocols and standards properly and work accordingly with relevant products per the ASTM guidelines. If this happens, there is little to worry about your project work because you will be putting your capital and equipment in capable hands.

At TEXAS FLANGE, we provide high-quality ANSI, API, and AWWA pipe flanges in carbon steel as per ASTM standards. These pipe flanges are available in carbon and various alloy steels with sizes available from 1/2″ to 166″.

Meaning of ASTM Standards

The American Society for Testing and Materials is known as ASTM and is one of the leading forces in the certification and development of products. ASTM, being a reputable American organization, has international recognition and includes best practices to determine whether a material grade and product is worthy of investment and use in common applications.

ASTM has garnered its recognition as a global leader for the delivery and development of voluntary consensus standards. More than 12000 standards given out by ASTM are used worldwide to improve product quality, strengthen the market trade and access, enhance safety and health, and let the customers know they can count on products. This organization is also serving many industries like construction, metal forming, consumer products, petroleum, etc. The development of standards has been done per the guiding principles of the World Trade Organization. These standards are helpful for companies, individuals, and institutions around the world. Most all government regulators also cite standards in codes, regulations, and laws.

The ASTM standards help improve:

1. Quality of the products which contain referenced material grades

2. Worker safety and health standards

3. Strengthening the market around all trades

4. Sustainability of materials developed

5. Recognition of existing and updated international cross-references between standards

Importance of ASTM Standards

The ASTM standards are also helpful in making these products much safer to use, so there are no related dangers. The standards allow the suppliers to understand that their products are top-notch, and they offer the best quality to their customers.

The suppliers following the ASTM standards can easily guarantee that they offer the best quality products to their customers. For getting approval for ASTM certification, products need to go under rigorous testing to make sure they are reliable under high pressure and stress calculation-tested situations.

These kinds of situations give customers the satisfaction to know that their products comply well with the industry’s standard evaluations.

ASTM at Texas Flange

At Texas Flange, we use only those products which follow the standards set by ASTM. All our products are certified, deemed efficient, and durable. Slip-on, Blind, Threaded, Socket Weld, Lap joint, and Weld Neck flanges are all available at Texas Flange. All of these flanges are designed with specific pressure ranges to provide excellent connectivity, from low stress and volatility applications such as simple structural assemblies to high pressure and temperature services on critical jobs which require extreme safety.

At TEXAS FLANGE, we are here to help you with your needs related to flanges, fittings, and custom steel components. We have been in the business of quality flange manufacturing since 1986, and we are confident in helping you find a solution more quickly, affordably, and with more expertise than the competition. We are committed wholeheartedly to provide our customers with the finest quality flanges and flange fittings in a timely manner.

We are pretty excited to hear from our customers and their new projects each and every day. You can visit our website for more related information and view our gallery for a comprehensive list of our products. We’d love to hear about your project too, so get in touch with us today!