A guide to flange protection for buyers
Protect revenue by preventing damage to pipes and pipe flanges
Avoid the high costs to repair – even replace – drill and oil-well pipes due to corrosion, mishandling and errors in manufacturing treatments. Essentra Components can help you with flange and pipe protection, with solutions ranging from plastic pipe end caps to plastic ribbed pipe end plugs.
This guide tells you what you should know, such as:
Shipping from a cold port to a hot climate?
Some of our pipe caps have a valve, or vent holes, to control pressure that builds in a metal pipe fitted with cap protection and loaded onto a container going from a cold shipping port – for instance, Holland – to a hot shipping port, such as Dubai.
Free: try before you buy
We recommend that you try before you buy to ensure you get the perfect pipe thread protector cap, push in plastic pipe plugs or flange protector caps – in short, whatever it is you need. Simply request free samples now.
Off-the-shelf, fast despatch solutions
Hassle-free service includes these solutions, available in bulk quantities to help you save.
What are flange protectors?
Flange protectors are designed to provide protection to the entire pipe flange surface but also by closing the pipe completely, you eliminate the risk of contamination. See below for various flange protectors and their benefits.
Raised face flange protectors
The raised machine face on your flange is the critical area that needs protection. The flange protectors will help you maintain optimum condition and prevent leakage in storage or before installation.
FEATURES: Available in three key profiles: Studded, Plug and Adhesive. All are quick and easy to install and stand up to sand blasting
MATERIAL: Durable PE is ozone, weather and petroleum resistant
SPECIFICATION: Protects DIN and ANSI flanges. Solutions available in a range of sizes
PERFECT FOR: Easy fitting face protection
Studded Raised Face Flange Protectors
- Push Fit to apply
- No fasteners required
- Meets ANSI B16.5 and API specifications
- Suitable for use on ASA and BS1560 flanges
|
Nominal pipe size |
Class pressure group, lbs |
|
1/2" |
150 – 900 |
|
3/4" |
150 – 900 |
|
1" |
150 – 900 |
|
1-1/4" |
150 – 900 |
|
1-1/2" |
150 – 900 |
|
2" |
150 – 900 |
|
2-1/2" |
150 – 600 |
|
3" |
150 – 900 |
|
4" |
150 – 900 |
|
6" |
150 – 900 |
|
8" |
150 – 900 |
|
10" |
150 – 900 |
|
12" |
150 – 900 |
More raised pipe flange protectors
Our pipe flange protection solutions also include:
Raised Face Flange Protector Plugs
- Tapered design provides snug fit
- Protects petroleum, gas and water-type valve flanges
- Protects raised machine face and pipe interior from dirt and moisture during shot and sandblasting operations
- Bolt holes are not covered by flange plugs
- Fast installation – no fasteners required
- Meets ANSI/ASME B16.5 specifications
Adhesive Raised Face Flange Protectors
- Time saving installation: adhesive backed, peel and stick – no tools needed
- Meets ANSI/ASME B16.5 specifications
Push-In Raised Face Flange Protectors
- Protects internally coated flanges
- Flexible fins for easy fit – no fasteners needed
- Durable
- Suitable for ANSI and DIN flanges
Full face flange protectors
Keep your flanges in top condition for a perfect fit while guarding against corrosion and dirt ingress during transport around the factory and shipyards.
FEATURES: Protects the entire surface of the flange or leaves bolts/bolt holes free to access. Available in five key profiles: Studded, Plug, Adhesive, Push-In and Bolt Hole
MATERIAL: PE protects during finishing, storage and transit. Bolt hole flange protectors’ PP material is cost-effective and offers good chemical and fatigue resistance. PVC material for plugs provide flexibility and high-mechanical strength.
SPECIFICATION: Available in a range of sizes to support DIN and ANSI flanges
PERFECT FOR: DIN2627-2638, 150BS5504 and ANSI B16.5
Studded Full Face Flange Protector
- The BFP series are used to protect SAE Code 61 3000 PSI flanges
- The XP series are used to protect SAE Code 62 6000 PSI flanges
- Provides full coverage with lugs firmly positioned into bolt holes
- Requires no fasteners
|
Nominal pipe size |
Class pressure rating |
|
1/2" |
3000 |
|
1/2" |
6000 |
|
3/4" |
3000 |
|
3/4" |
6000 |
|
1" |
3000 |
|
1" |
6000 |
|
1-1/4" |
3000 |
|
1-1/4" |
6000 |
|
1-1/2" |
3000 |
|
1-1/2" |
6000 |
|
2" |
3000 |
|
2" |
6000 |
|
2-1/2" |
3000 |
|
3" |
3000 |
|
4" |
3000 |
|
Delete 5” row |
More flange protection
You might also be interested in:
Flange Protector Retainer Plugs
- Secures full face protective disk to flange surface
- Inserts through the flange protector and directly into the bolt holes
- Four plugs recommended to firmly fasten each full-face protective disk
Adhesive Full Face Flange Protectors
- Time saving installation: adhesive backed, peel and stick – no tools needed
- Tight bond
- Leaves no residue when removed
- Covers full face of flange OD for all 150lb-rated flanges, sizes 1/2" to 36"
Push-In Full Face Flange Protectors
- Flexible fins for snug fit into the bore
- Fasteners not required
- Attach with cable ties, retainer plug or pins/washers
- Cost effective
- Available in a range of sizes and pressure ratings
Types of Pipe Plugs and Caps - what are the benefits?
When pipes are being stored or transported, they are vulnerable to damage, contact with other pipes and corrosion can be caused to threads. That’s where pipe caps and plugs come in. They are vital to sealing pipe ends and providing drill pipe protection.
Pipe plugs
Eliminate costly downtime by preventing debris from entering the pipe and damaging vital threads.
FEATURES: Ribbed pipe plugs are available in two styles with flexible ribs of different diameters to fit multiple schedules of NPT and drill pipe
MATERIAL: Tough LDPE offers weather and chemical resistance
SPECIFICATION: The straight wall on the plug’s O.D. provides a secure friction fit with the mating pipe’s Inside Diameter for excellent protection against contaminants. Compatible nominal pipe diameters range from .217in – 24.606in (5.5mm – 625mm)
PERFECT FOR: NPT line pipe & drill pipe
- Secure friction fit with mating pipe’s I.D.
- Excellent protection against contaminants
- Available in two styles with flexible ribs of different diameters to fit multiple schedules of NPT and drill pipe
- Flexible fins with a rib diameter for a snug fit
- Excellent protection against contaminants
Pipe caps
Minimise the threat of rust and pollution to the pipe’s contents by preventing the entry of contaminants and foreign objects with a pipe end cap.
FEATURES: Flexible pipe caps offer a tight fit while recessed caps protect coatings, bevels and internal walls from damage during clamping by crane hooks
MATERIAL: Flexible pipe caps made of PE material are strong, durable and lightweight. Recessed pipe caps are made of LDPE for excellent chemical resistance to acids, alcohols, bases and esters
SPECIFICATION: Flexible pipe caps fit nominal pipe diameters, ranging from 2.374in – 64in (60.3mm – 1625.6mm). Recessed Caps are compatible with nominal pipe diameters that range from ½in – 48in (12.7mm – 1219.20mm)
PERFECT FOR: Pipes transported by crane hooks
- Made of flexible, yet rigid, LDPE
- Internal ribs ensure tight fit and release after pressure build up
- Also available with vent hole in these pipe sizes and bulk quantities. Examples include:
|
Nominal pipe size (DIN) |
Bulk pack quantity |
|
2000 |
|
|
1500 |
|
|
500 |
|
|
350 |
|
|
350 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
150 6" |
48 |
|
18 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
20 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
5 |
More plastic caps for pipe ends
Other caps that provide protection include:
- Protects threaded or non-threaded pipe ends
- Resistant to cracking and splitting
- Ideal for withstanding temperatures of –40°F to 150°F (–40°C to 66°C) and will not crack or split under normal use
- Outstanding toughness and puncture resistance
- Good flexibility
- DIN sizes available
Tapered Caps & Plugs – Standard
- Made of flexible, yet rigid, LDPE
- Caps multiple O.D.s and plugs multiple I.D.s
Tapered Caps & Plugs - Heavy-Duty
- Made of flexible, yet rigid, LDPE
- Rugged wall and seal rings for maximum protection
- Caps multiple O.D.s and plugs multiple I.D.s
Tapered Caps & Plugs - Wide Flange
- Made of flexible, yet rigid, LDPE; designed as both tapered round plugs with flange as well as pipe flange caps
- Added protection on bearing surfaces
- Wider flange keeps plug from being pushed down through mating part
Types of Flange Covers - what are the benefits?
Flange covers
Perfect for protecting internally coated flanges, giving easy-to-fit, all-round flange protection.
FEATURES: Suitable for all flange face types due to a durable and flexible nature. Also provides protection of bolt holes
MATERIAL: Available in flexible yellow Polyethylene
SPECIFICATION: Covers ANSI ½in – 30in
PERFECT FOR: Tight fitting flange protection
- Complete all-round flange protection
- Easy to fit, durable and flexible
Glossary of pipe and flange terms
To help you, we’ve put together a table to explain some of the most commonly used terms and abbreviations you’re likely to hear regarding pipes and flanges:
| ANSI | American National Standards. The organisation which sets the specifications for standard pipe |
| ASME | American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME refers to their standards |
| BEARING LOAD | A compressive load supported by a member, usually a tube or collar, along a line where contact is made with a pin, rivet, axle or shaft |
| BEVEL | The angle formed between the prepared edge of the end of the pipe and a plane perpendicular to the surface. The bevel used for standard line pipe is 30˚ |
| BEVELLED END | Pipe with its ends cut at an angle to facilitate the weld joint used to join separate lengths of pipe |
| BUSHING | A pipe fitting, threaded on both the inside and outside, used for joining pipes with different diameters |
| DIN | Deutsches Institut für Normung. In English: the German Institute for Standardisation, which holds its own standards |
| DN | The metric equivalent of Nominal Pipe Size (NPS), conforming to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) |
| FITTING | Any device used for connecting elements in fluid lines, including elbows, unions and flanges |
| I.D. | Inside diameter |
| IPS | Iron Pipe Size |
| KSI | K equals 1,000, thus the term is actually K (1,000) psi. The P has been dropped, and KSI is the new term (i.e. 50 KSI = 50,000 psi) |
| LGTH | Length or joint of pipe |
| MPT | Male pipe threads |
| NPT | National Pipe Thread (American standard thread) |
| O.D. | Outside Diameter |
| RUN | That portion of a fitting that goes in a straight line in the direction of the flow of the pieces of pipe to which it is connected |
| TAPER | A gradual change in the outside diameter of threads on pipe where the diameter at the ends of the pipe is the least |
| TOLERANCE(S) | Permissible variations or deviation from a dimension |
| UNION | A fitting with three parts, two threaded ends with a nut between them, used to join two pieces of pipe such that they may be easily disconnected |
| WALL THICKNESS | A given size and schedule of the thickness of the pipe, which is fixed and defined in the ASME standard |
| Y | A fitting that joins three sections of pipe sometimes called WYE |
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Download free CADs and request free samples, which are available for most of our solutions. It’s a great way to ensure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you. You might find it helpful to read our Guide to pipe clamps.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.