What is a free flange?
Free flange is a device that is welded to the end of a piece of pipe to form half the flange. It consists of a flat steel with holes around the perimeter and opening in the center of the pipe size to be welded to a free flange, the component can be made of carbon steel or stainless steel to meet the intended application. There are free types of flanges that fit for locations, valves and almost every type of pipe components used.
Due to the nature of the pipeline, connections and clutches, they can rarely be constructed in advance. The use of free flange allows the worker to create a clutch at any point along the gas pipeline that is feasible. The worker simply cuts the pipe in the desired location and placed a free flange at the end of the pipe. After careful preparation of the welding pipe, the free flange is permanently welded to the end of the pipe. If a valve or elbow is required, the worker simply welds the flange on the TON elbow or the valve, as well as the pipeline and the Union is made.
Many elbows, valves and other such pieces are created with a flange of casting on the component. In this case, the tube is ready to connect to the piece by welding the flange only to the end of the pipe. The flange is cope with the already occupied flange and the Union is made. For some components, however, there is no prevention of the flange to the component and the flange must be welded on the component to complete the Union. This application requires a free flange to be used in the pipe design. Welding and customization must usually be completed with a licensed and certified welder that has been tested to ensure that all welings are on the code.
In many cases, the pipeline is built using direct sections of pipes and free flanges that are all welded to create a completed Pipe series. Whether it is welded by a man or a machine, the pipe is assembled from the straight ends of the pipelineThey are welded together to create virtually trouble -free pipes with flange departments, which are installed at critical places on the pipeline. In these places there is a free flange to the pipe on both sides of the Union and the pipe is connected together by means of seals and many hardened screws.