What is an Alloy 20 flange?

Flanges have been an integral part of the piping system. There are varieties of flanges that are in use in different industries. Every industry demands a special set of flanges according to their requirements.

What is a flange?

A flange is a metal disc used to join pipes. A gasket is fixed between the two flanges to tighten up the seal. A flange is used to connect two pipes or valves or tubes to form a piping network. Flanges provide support and strength and prevent leakage.

Flanges are commonly welded or screwed into pipes or valves and are then joined with bolts. Flanges provide easy access to clean or inspect a piping system.

Flanges are made of different metal – Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, Carbon Steel, etc. As they are made from a variety of metals, flanges differ in their ‘pressure classes’.

Every flange is classified under a pressure class, depending on the capacity of the flange to withstand a particular amount of temperature. Also, the metal used in a flange can determine how much pressure it can withstand.

What is Alloy 20?

Alloy 20 is an alloy made by combining iron, chromium and Nickel, with Molybdenum and Copper, and Niobium for stabilization. Alloy 20 is also known as ‘Carpenter 20’ or ‘UNSN08020’.

What is an Alloy 20 flange?

Alloy 20 flanges are made from Alloy 20. Alloy 20 flanges are austenitic i.e. it possess great resistance to hot sulfuric acid. As a result, Alloy 20 flanges can be used in industries associated with the use of sulfuric acid.

Characteristics:

Alloy 20 flanges are:

• Resistant to corrosion from sulfuric acid and chloride stress corrosion cracking: Since the flanges are made from Alloy 20, they are high in Nickel content along with Molybdenum, chromium and copper due to which the flanges are resistant to sulfuric acid.
• Resistant to crevice corrosion: This corrosion is caused when there are gaps left between two joining surfaces that can be two metals or a metal and a non-metal. These gaps can be between two joining parts or under the gasket or seal. Alloy 20 flanges are beneficial in these circumstances; as they are possess all –corrosion resistance power.
• Resistant to pitting: pitting is a form of corrosion that leads to small holes in the metal. As Alloy 20 flanges contain Niobium which is highly corrosion resistant, these flanges are extremely useful in corrosive environments.

Industries:

Alloy 20 flanges are used in industries like:

• Chemical
• Petrochemical
• Pharmaceutical
• Synthetic rubber
• Plastic
• Industrial heating equipment
• Pulp and paper mills
• Power generation plants
• Food
• Heat exchangers
• Piping

For detailed information on Alloy 20 flanges, their availability and supply, log on to: http://www.jaimannickelalloys.com

As a budding writer, I'm trying to simplify jargons of the Steel industry by breaking them into small, lucid articles, in a Q&A format. I hope my content helps readers.