With an understanding of how these popular flange types work, we can talk about why you’d want to use them in your piping systems.
The biggest limitation to lap joint flange usage is pressure ratings.
While many Lap Joint flanges will accommodate greater pressure levels than Slip-On flanges, they’re still not suited for high-pressure applications. If you are unsure, always consult with an engineer before purchasing flanges for use with your piping systems.
With the limitations out of the way, both designs offer three major benefits depending on the industry in which you’re involved.
The first is the ability to use different materials for the Backing flange than the Stub End or Angle Ring.
This means you can match the piping materials as required where components touch piped materials while using more affordable — or otherwise desirable — materials in the outer components which do not interact with piped materials.
The second is the ability to realign and rotate the flange freely to ensure proper connection and speed up maintenance processes in systems that require frequent maintenance.
The ability to utilize flanges that do not require filet welds on the plates can also decrease installation times and provide further upfront cost savings.
Finally, in high-corrosion or high-erosion processes, Lap Joint flanges allow you to salvage the flange for re-use while replacing Stub Ends or Angle Rings as required for safe, cost-effective operation.
Post time: Mar-31-2021