Stainless steel flanges are widely used in industrial pipelines. With excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, and good sealing performance, they have become key connecting components in multiple industries such as petroleum, chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and energy. The following is a detailed analysis of its specific application scenarios, advantages, and selection considerations:

1、 Core application scenarios of stainless steel flanges

1. Oil and gas industry

Application scenario: Pipeline systems for transporting media such as crude oil, natural gas, and liquefied gas.

Advantages: Stainless steel flanges are resistant to hydrogen embrittlement and sulfide corrosion, suitable for high pressure, high temperature, and media containing corrosive components.Typical case: Pipeline connections for offshore drilling platforms, refineries, and natural gas processing stations.

2. Chemical industry

Application scenario: Pipelines transporting highly corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, salt solutions, and organic solvents.

Advantages: Stainless steel materials such as 304L and 316L can resist corrosion from chloride ions, sulfuric acid, etc., ensuring long-term sealing.

Typical case: Connection of reaction vessels and heat exchangers in fertilizer plants and pesticide production lines.

3. Food and pharmaceutical industry

Application scenario: Conveying pipelines for purified water, beverages, and pharmaceutical raw materials.

Advantages: Stainless steel flanges meet hygiene standards, with a smooth and easy to clean surface, avoiding medium contamination.

Typical case: Aseptic piping systems in dairy processing plants and biopharmaceutical workshops.

4. Energy and Power Industry

Application scenarios: Steam pipelines, cooling water systems, and auxiliary pipelines for nuclear power plants.

Advantages: High temperature and pressure resistance, suitable for extreme working conditions.

Typical cases: boiler feedwater pipelines in thermal power plants, secondary loop systems in nuclear power plants.

5. Water treatment and environmental protection industry

Application scenarios: seawater desalination, sewage treatment, and reclaimed water reuse pipelines.

Advantages: Resistant to seawater corrosion, extending the service life of equipment.

Typical cases: seawater cooling pipelines and municipal sewage treatment plants in coastal chemical industrial parks.

2、 Significant advantages of stainless steel flanges

1. Corrosion resistance

304 stainless steel is suitable for general corrosive environments, while 316L stainless steel with added molybdenum element has stronger resistance to chloride ion corrosion.

Dual phase stainless steel (such as 2205) combines austenite and ferrite characteristics, and has excellent stress corrosion cracking resistance.

2. High strength and temperature resistance

Can withstand high pressure (PN ≥ 40MPa) and high temperature (≤ 600 ℃), and adapt to extreme working conditions.

For example, 310S stainless steel flanges can be used for short-term use at high temperatures of 1100 ℃.

3. Sealing reliability

Paired with metal ring gaskets (RJ) or PTFE gaskets, zero leakage can be achieved, meeting environmental requirements.

The design of the tenon groove surface (TG) and the ring connection surface (RJ) further enhances the sealing performance.

4. Hygiene and Environmental Protection

After surface polishing treatment, the roughness can reach Ra0.8 μ m, which meets food grade standards.

Non toxic and harmless, avoiding medium pollution.

5. Long lifespan and low maintenance

In corrosive environments, the service life is 3-5 times that of carbon steel flanges.

Reduce frequent replacement and maintenance costs.

3、 Key points for selecting stainless steel flanges

1. Material selection

304 stainless steel: suitable for general corrosive environments such as water and steam.

316L stainless steel: suitable for media containing chloride ions (such as seawater and chemical solutions).

Dual phase stainless steel (2205): suitable for high chloride ion and high temperature environments (such as offshore platforms).

Hastelloy (C276): Suitable for strong acid and strong alkali media (such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid).

2. Sealing surface type

RF (RF): Suitable for low-pressure, non critical sealing applications.

Mortise and tenon surface (TG): suitable for high-pressure, flammable and explosive media.

Ring Connection Surface (RJ): Suitable for ultra-high pressure, high temperature, or highly corrosive media.

3. Pressure and temperature matching

Select PN grade (such as PN16, PN40) based on pipeline design pressure.

Ensure that the flange material maintains its strength at the highest operating temperature.

4. Standards and Certification

Priority should be given to selecting flanges that comply with international standards such as ANSI B16.5 and DIN 2633.

The food and pharmaceutical industries require FDA and 3A certification.

4、 Typical application cases

1. Offshore oil platform

Scenario: Seawater injection pipeline, crude oil transportation pipeline.

Selection: 316L stainless steel duplex flange, ring connection surface (RJ), PN40 grade.

Advantages: Resistant to seawater corrosion, reliable high-pressure sealing.

2. Semiconductor Manufacturing

Scenario: Ultra pure water transportation pipeline.

Selection: 316L stainless steel polished flange, raised face (RF), PN16 grade.

Advantages: Low surface roughness, avoiding particle contamination.

3. Nuclear power plant

Scenario: Secondary steam pipeline.

Selection: 304 stainless steel flange, mortise and tenon surface (TG), PN100 grade.

Advantages: High temperature and pressure resistance, in compliance with nuclear safety standards.