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Flanges are projecting or internal components used to support mechanical parts. Most often, they are rims, and they are put in place to strengthen the mechanical part or provide a means of attaching that part to another part or surface. A simple pipe flange would be a slip-on or threaded flange that fits around one end of a pipe and provides a means to bolt that pipe to a wall or fixture. Such a flange would be a circular component with a central means of holding the pipe and bolt holes placed evenly in the outer rim.

Regular pipe flange measurements include the flange’s outside diameter (OD), which is measured from outer edge to opposing outer edge; thickness, which measures only the thickness of the attaching outer rim, and does not include the part of the flange that holds the pipe; and bolt circle diameter, which is measure from the center of a bolt hole to the center of the opposing hole. Pipe flanges also have a corresponding pipe size, generally according to accepted standards. Common materials used for these fittings are aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, polypropylene, PVC and stainless steel. Selection of these materials typically depends on the piping material, as well as the nature of the application.

Flanges are fit to a variety of other components, as well, including bellows, ducts, wheels, and cameras. They are also placed on beams to provide additional strength and prevent the beam from failing. Bellows and duct flanges resemble pipe flanges except that they are fit to different shapes; bellows flanges are generally thinner than pipe flanges, while duct flanges are normally square.

A wide variety of other flange designs are available, including butt weld, socket weld, captive, split and square four-bolt flanges. Custom shapes and sizes are produced by numerous manufacturers, as well.