Scribd
Upload
532 views4 pages

Asme Flange Ratings

Flange ratings refer to the maximum allowable working pressure and temperature for flanges according to ASME standards. [1] ASME B16.5 classifies flanges based on pressure-temperature ratings, which depend on the material and increase for higher class flanges that can withstand greater pressures and temperatures. [2] Proper determination of flange ratings involves checking tables of allowable working pressures at various temperatures for the specific material and selecting a class that meets or exceeds project requirements.

Uploaded by

valiullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
532 views4 pages

Asme Flange Ratings

Flange ratings refer to the maximum allowable working pressure and temperature for flanges according to ASME standards. [1] ASME B16.5 classifies flanges based on pressure-temperature ratings, which depend on the material and increase for higher class flanges that can withstand greater pressures and temperatures. [2] Proper determination of flange ratings involves checking tables of allowable working pressures at various temperatures for the specific material and selecting a class that meets or exceeds project requirements.

Uploaded by

valiullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

ASME / ANSI Flange Ratings – Learn about

Pressure-Temperature Ratings of Flanges


While working with ASME/ANSI Flange, the terms such as Flange Ratings, Flange Pressure
Ratings, Flange Class, pressure temperature rating of flanges are quite confusing. In this article, I
have tried to simplify these terms for a better understanding of young engineers.

ASME B16.5 is a standard for Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings that covers flanges sizes from
NPS ½” to 24”. In this standard, flanges are classified based on their pressure-temperature rating
which is also known as a flange class.

What is pressure-temperature rating?


Pressure- temperature rating is the maximum allowable non-shock gauge pressure at the specific
temperature for given material. I know it is still confusing. Let me further break this term.

What is rating?
As per ASME B31.3, ratings are maximum allowable working gauge pressure at the given
temperature and for applicable material and pressure class.

Temperature Rating
Piping materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel have different mechanical and
chemical properties. The same material can handle different amount of stress at a different
temperature. Based on the ability of material to handle the stresses at given temperature, ASME
B31.3 has devolved the maximum allowable stress value of material at a specific temperature and
listed in Table A1.
The reason behind establishing the temperature rating is to calculate the adequate wall thickness
of the pipe, flange and flanged fittings so that they can withstand the stresses due to pressure and
other loads.

Pressure Rating
The pressure rating is the safe working or maximum operating pressure with respect to the working
temperature. It depends on materials’ Stress-Strain characteristics. It is available in different Codes
and Standards.

Flange Ratings
ASME B16.5 has listed the Pressure-Temperature ratings for flanges. These ratings are established
by based on the prime factor of hydro testing of the flanged fittings to the bursting and by adding
a factor of safety of 3.0 at the rated working pressure and ambient temperature.
ASME/ANSI B16.5 has established these temperature-pressure ratings by using Formula as given
below and listed in the tabular form, for all materials at different flange ratings.

PT = (Pr x SI) / 8750

 Where, PT = rated working pressure in psig for specified material at temperature T.


 Pr = Pressure rating as per Class in Psig.
 SI = Selected stress in Psig for specified material at Temperature T

 Refer the sample table below;

Flanges pressure rating in psig for common carbon steel ASME flanges

Temperature (F°) ( A105150# 300#/ A350


/ A350 LF2 400#
LF3 /600# 900#
A350 LF6) 1500# 2500#

-20 to 100 285 740 985 1480 2220 3705 6170

200 260 680 905 1360 2035 3395 5655

300 230 655 870 1310 1965 3270 5450

400 200 635 845 1265 1900 3170 5280

500 170 605 805 1205 1810 3015 5025

600 140 570 755 1135 1705 2840 4730

650 125 550 730 1100 1650 2745 4575

700 110 530 710 1060 1590 2655 4425

750 95 505 675 1015 1520 2535 4230

800 80 410 550 825 1235 2055 3430

850 65 320 425 640 955 1595 2655

900 50 230 305 460 690 1150 1915

950 35 135 185 275 410 685 1145

1000 20 85 115 170 255 430 715

From the above table, you can see that a 150 lb carbon steel flange, the allowable pressure is 285 psi at
100°F, 170 psi at 500°F, and 20 psi at 1000°F. The only temperature at which the flange is rated for 150
psi is near 500°F. Higher-class flanges are rated at their nominal pressure rating only at near 850°F. See
the cells in yellows.
Flange Class
ASME has developed flange Class considering temperature and pressure rating. There are seven
Class 150#, 300#, 400#, 600#, 900#, 1500# and 2500#.

Higher the flange ratings, heavier the flange and can withstand higher pressure and temperature.
When the temperature goes up, maximum allowable pressure goes down, and vice versa. See the
below image comparison of 6” Class 150 and Class 2500 weld neck flange.

The pressure classes of flanges are commonly referred to in terms of “pounds” rather than “pounds
per square inch.” In describing the pressure class of flanges, the terms “pound” and “class” may
be considered interchangeable.

What is ASME / ANSI 150 pressure rating?

People refer same flange in different ways. When we say class 150 flange, it means that safe
working pressure for this flange at rated temperature for given material is 150 pound per square
inch. See below the some of the common way to refer the 150 Class flange

 Class #150 flange


 150 pound flange
 class 150 flange pressure rating
 150 pressure rating flange
 150 lb flange
 Class flange ratings

 How to determine flange ratings?


 Well it is very simple. Let us assume that we want to use ASTM A105 flange for our
service that has a pressure rating 1,200 psig and at 500 °F.
 Flanges pressure rating in psig for common carbon steel ASME flanges

Temperature (F°) 150# / A350


( A105 300#
LF2 /400# 600#
A350 LF3 / A350900#
LF6) 1500# 2500#

-20 to 100 285 740 985 1480 2220 3705 6170

200 260 680 905 1360 2035 3395 5655

300 230 655 870 1310 1965 3270 5450

400 200 635 845 1265 1900 3170 5280

500 170 605 805 1205 1810 3015 5025

600 140 570 755 1135 1705 2840 4730

650 125 550 730 1100 1650 2745 4575

700 110 530 710 1060 1590 2655 4425

750 95 505 675 1015 1520 2535 4230

800 80 410 550 825 1235 2055 3430

850 65 320 425 640 955 1595 2655

900 50 230 305 460 690 1150 1915

950 35 135 185 275 410 685 1145

1000 20 85 115 170 255 430 715

Now refer the pressure-temperature table for carbon steel given above. Flange with 600# rating
meet the requirement. You can see that Class 600# can withstand 1205 psig pressure at 500 °F.
See the cell highlighted in Green.

You might also like