How to choose flanges for carbon steel and stainless steel?

As a very common and commonly used component in pipeline equipment, the role of flanges cannot be underestimated, and due to different specific usage roles, we need to consider many factors when selecting flanges, such as usage scenarios, equipment dimensions, materials used, and so on.

There are various types of flange materials, including carbon steel flanges, stainless steel flanges, brass flanges, copper flanges, cast iron flanges, forged flange, and fiberglass flanges. There are also some uncommon special materials, such as titanium alloy, chromium alloy, nickel alloy, etc.

Due to the frequency and effectiveness of use, carbon steel flange and stainless steel flange are particularly common. We will also provide a detailed introduction to these two types.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a metal material with corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and high strength, commonly used in the production of various mechanical parts, building materials, tableware, and kitchen utensils. According to different chemical compositions and properties, stainless steel can be divided into various materials, the most common being 304 316 316L flange. The following are some common stainless steel materials and their characteristics:

304 stainless steel: containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel, it has good corrosion resistance and weldability, and is widely used in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and catering.
316L stainless steel: containing 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum, it has excellent corrosion resistance and strength, and is widely used in marine environment, chemical industry, pharmaceutical and other fields.

Carbon steel

Carbon steel refers to steel with a carbon content between 0.12% and 2.0%. It is a widely used metal material mainly composed of iron, carbon, and a small amount of other elements. According to the different carbon content, carbon steel can be divided into the following types:

Mild steel flange: with a carbon content of less than 0.25%, it has good machinability, weldability, and toughness, and is commonly used in the manufacturing of steel plates, wheels, railway tracks, etc.
Medium carbon steel flange: with a carbon content between 0.25% and 0.60%, it has high strength and hardness, and is suitable for manufacturing mechanical parts, axles, cutting tools, etc.
High carbon steel flange: with a carbon content between 0.60% and 2.0%, it has very high hardness and strength, but poor toughness, and is suitable for manufacturing springs, hammerheads, blades, etc.

In addition, carbon steel can also be divided into hot rolled steel, cold drawn steel, forged steel, etc. according to different heat treatment processes. Different types of carbon steel have their own advantages and disadvantages in application, and suitable carbon steel materials need to be selected based on specific usage requirements.


Post time: May-11-2023