Carbon steel flanges are made from steel where the mechanical properties primarily depend on the carbon content, without the addition of significant amounts of alloying elements. This type of steel is commonly referred to as mild carbon steel or plain carbon steel. Carbon steel, also known as carbon alloy steel, is an iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content (WC) of less than 2%.
For the manufacturing process, steel plates must undergo ultrasonic testing to ensure there are no delamination defects. These plates should be cut into strips along the rolling direction of the steel, bent, and welded into circular rings, ensuring the steel surface forms a cylindrical shape. It is important to avoid machining the steel plate directly into necked flanges. Butt welds on these rings should be fully penetrated to ensure strong and secure joints.
The use of carbon steel bolts in flanges typically does not require insulating gaskets and sleeves, which are primarily used in systems where electrical current might pass through or when the fluid within the pipeline is flammable or explosive. In such cases, stainless steel bolts should also be used in conjunction with insulating gaskets and sleeves for added safety.
Overall, carbon steel flanges offer great value in industrial applications due to their stable mechanical properties, ease of use, and low maintenance cost. They are widely used in systems that transport common working fluids and provide reliable performance in various operational environments.
