Forged flanges, also known as flange discs or raised discs, are pipe connection components improved upon the basis of cast steel flanges. Their strength exceeds that of cast steel flanges, achieving sealing by bolting through the flange holes with gaskets. The development journey of forged flanges is a history of continuous precision advancement in materials science and manufacturing processes.
The Leap from Casting to Forging
Early flanges predominantly used cast steel processes, but cast structures had inherent defects such as porosity and segregation. Through forging process optimization, forged flanges achieve denser metal structures with flow lines distributed along the flange contour, significantly enhancing load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance. With technological progress, precision processing techniques such as punching reducing diameter and tapered expanding were gradually applied, with materials expanding from carbon steel to stainless steel and alloy steels. The application of materials like 16MnⅢ forged steel further improved toughness under low-temperature conditions.
Smart Clamping: 2026 Patent Breakthroughs
In early 2026, two China patents related to flanges were granted, reflecting the industry’s pursuit of connection precision and monitorability. Tianjin Hengjuxing Technology Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for “High Precision Stainless Steel Flange Disc” (CN223881924U), featuring a fastening mechanism including an externally threaded sleeve, internally threaded ring, connecting ring, and L-shaped positioning rod, enabling close fit between flange discs to form stable connections with higher precision, effectively avoiding leakage. During the same period, Jitong Weiye obtained a patent for “Flange Disc Clamping Mechanism” (CN223876852U), allowing adjustment of clamping plate height through first fastening bolts, and using pressure sensors to precisely control clamping force magnitude, avoiding flange disc deformation or loosening.
Service Condition Matching of Sealing Types
Forged flange sealing faces are classified into three types: flat face suitable for low pressure, non-toxic media applications; male-female face suitable for moderately higher pressure; tongue and groove face suitable for flammable, explosive, toxic media and higher pressure conditions. This classification reflects the precise correspondence between flange design and service condition risk levels.
Coexistence of Multiple Execution Standards
Forged flanges are divided into threaded connection and welded flanges. Low pressure small diameters may use threaded connections, while high pressure and low pressure large diameters generally use welded flanges. Different pressure classes correspond to different flange thicknesses, bolt diameters, and quantities. Execution standards include national standards, chemical industry standards, machinery standards, power standards, marine standards, etc. In international procurement, specifying the execution standard and edition is crucial.
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