On plant room and commercial jobs, a stainless press line usually ends at a flange: a pump, a backflow assembly, a strainer, a valve or a tank nozzle. The Standard Press 316 stainless range gives you two flange adaptors that press straight onto the tube, so there's no welding or threading at the flange. The catch is picking the right flange standard, because the two don't bolt together.
The two options
- AS 2129 Table E flange adaptor: the Australian flange standard. Listed for flanged pumps, valves, backflow devices and plant built to the Australian standard. Sizes 15mm to 168.3mm.
- ANSI 150 raised face flange adaptor: ASME B16.5 Class 150, for pumps, valves, strainers and plant built to the American standard, which is common on imported equipment. Sizes 15mm to 168.3mm, with no 66.7mm option.
Both are 316L stainless, M-profile, with the standard black EPDM press seal and a listed maximum working pressure of 1600 kPa.
Why they don't mix
Flange standards define the outside diameter, bolt circle, bolt count and bolt size. Table E and ANSI 150 differ on these at most sizes, so the holes won't line up, and forcing a mismatched pair with oversized holes or odd bolts is not an acceptable joint. ANSI 150 here is also raised face: the sealing surface stands proud of the bolting area, which affects the gasket you use and what it can mate against.
How to identify the flange you're connecting to
- Read the equipment data plate or datasheet. Pumps, backflow assemblies and valves normally state the flange standard.
- Look at the flange itself. Many are cast or stamped with the standard or class.
- Measure if in doubt. Count the bolts, measure the bolt-circle diameter (centre of one hole to the centre of the opposite one) and the hole size, then compare to the standard's table.
- Check the face. Raised face or flat face changes the gasket choice.
Do this before you order. At these prices, a wrong flange adaptor is an expensive mistake.
Prices across the range
| Size | AS 2129 Table E | ANSI 150 RF |
|---|---|---|
| 15mm | $128.52 | $158.66 |
| 28mm | $169.09 | $199.78 |
| 54mm | $249.04 | $316.78 |
| 76.1mm | $322.28 | $421.81 |
| 108mm | $490.23 | $653.29 |
| 168.3mm | $896.72 | $828.72 |
Prices are per adaptor, inc GST, at time of writing. Check the listing for the size you need.
Install tips
- Bolts and gaskets aren't part of the adaptor listing. Use stainless bolting so you're not putting carbon steel against 316 in a corrosive area, and a gasket suited to the service, temperature and flange face.
- Support the pipework, not the flange. A press joint shouldn't carry pump weight or vibration. Support the line either side with 316 clamps and clip heads.
- Plan for removal. If the equipment comes out for service, a flange is already a break point. If the other side is threaded, add a union. See unions in stainless press.
- Tighten evenly in a cross pattern so the gasket seats uniformly.
Where the equipment has a threaded port rather than a flange, use a BSP adaptor or union instead. See stainless press to thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an AS 2129 Table E flange bolt to an ANSI 150 flange?
Generally no. The bolt circles, bolt counts and hole sizes differ at most sizes. Match the adaptor to the flange standard on the equipment.
What sizes do the stainless press flange adaptors come in?
Table E: 15mm to 168.3mm, including 66.7mm. ANSI 150 raised face: 15mm to 168.3mm, without a 66.7mm option.
Are bolts and gaskets supplied with the flange adaptor?
They aren't part of the listing. Use stainless bolting and a gasket suited to the service, temperature and flange face.
How do I tell which flange standard my pump has?
Check the data plate or datasheet first. If it isn't stated, count the bolts and measure the bolt-circle diameter and hole size, then compare to the standards' tables.