There are many types of flanges, such as welded neck flange(WN), slip-on flange(SO), plate flange(PL), lap joint flange(LJ), and blind flange(BL), etc. Different types of flanges have different applications.
1. WN Flanges
Full name: Welded Neck Flanges
WN flange is particularly suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure environments, which has excellent sealing performance and high loading capacity.
2. SO Flanges
Full name: Slip-On Flange
The design of SO flange allows for quick assembly when the complex welding is not required, which can save some costs. But SO flanges are not recommended for using under high-pressure environments and may leak or fail.
3. PL Flanges
Full name: Plate Flanges
PL flange is made of a solid piece of plate material. It is suitable for the scenery where high-temperature and high-pressure is required. But PL flange is very heavy and difficult to install.
4. LJ Flanges
Full name: Lap Joint Flanges
LJ flange is consist of two parts: a stub end and a flange. It is suitable for general connection of pipelines, particularly when welding is not be required. It is easy to disassemble and reassemble when the pipeline systems require maintenance or inspection. But LJ flange is not recommended for using under high-pressure or sever vibration environments.
5. BL Flanges
Full name: Blind Flanges
Blind flange is usually used for pipeline systems to block off flow and prevent the leak of fluid, gases, etc. Compared to other closures that the welded or bolt is required, blind flange is relatively simple to installation or disassembly when the pipeline systems need to be sealed. But blind flange will make pipeline to be completely blocked off, so it is not suitable for applications where continuous flow of fluid or gases is required. And blind flange can't provide reliably sealing under extreme environment, such as in situations where the pressure of fluid is heavy.
