What Is a Flange?

Flanges are common industrial components used to connect pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form piping systems. They are usually screwed or welded and allow easy access for inspection, modification, and cleaning. Flanged joints feature two flanges bolted together with a gasket between them to provide a seal.

Usually, flanges are made of the same material as the pipes they’re attached to. Thus, common materials used for flanges include forged carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, brass, bronze, and cast iron.

Flanges are used in a wide variety of industries. They are especially popular in the petrochemical industry. Common types of flanges include the following: welding neck flange, socket weld flange, lap joint flange, slip on flange, threaded flange, and blind flange. There are also many different types of specialty flanges used for specific applications.

What Is a Gasket?

Gaskets are common industrial components used to seal connections between two components or flanges with flat surfaces. They are most commonly used as static seals to prevent leaking.

Gaskets are most frequently made of rubber or elastomeric materials, although they can also be made from specialty materials, such as treated fiber, cork, or graphite, if needed for a special application.

Gaskets are used in a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, transportation, and pulp and paper. They’re frequently the subject of routine maintenance, since they should be changed every time a piece of equipment is taken apart and reassembled.

Bayport Technical's Flange and Gasket Trainer (150-FGT) is designed to incorporate air and water pressure with a variety of industry-standard blind flanges, gaskets, flanged ports, and valves. The trainer allows the user to simulate field conditions in realistic situations involving craft, maintenance, and safety skills with gasket selection, change procedures, torque performance, blind placement, etc.

The Flange and Gasket Trainer gives users hands-on experience with a number of industry-standard components, including: a stainless pipe reservoir with multiple flange connections; connections for application of air and water pressure; a pressure gauge; a relief valve; a basket strainer assembly; multiple gaskets; and bolt, wrench, and material charts.