Steel Long Neck Flanges (also known as Long Weld Neck Flanges, LWN Flanges) are high-performance integral forged flanges engineered for rigid connection of pipes, valves, and industrial machine components. Characterized by an extended tapered neck (longer than standard weld neck flanges), they deliver enhanced sealing reliability, stress distribution, and structural support. Key characteristics, specifications, and technical details are as follows:
- Core Definition: A weld neck flange with an extended tapered neck, designed for butt-welded connection to pipes/valves. The long neck enables angular connection, supports pipe weight, and ensures uniform stress transfer—ideal for high-pressure, large-diameter, or weight-bearing piping systems.
- Structural Features:
- One-piece forged construction (solid steel blank) – eliminates internal defects, enhances mechanical strength and corrosion resistance;
- Extended tapered neck (2–3x longer than standard WN flanges) – reduces stress concentration at the weld joint, improves rigidity, and supports vertical/horizontal pipe weight;
- Beveled welding end (30°/45° standard) – ensures full penetration welding and precise alignment with pipes/valves;
- Standardized bolt hole patterns and precision-machined sealing faces – compatible with mating flanges and adaptable to angular connection requirements.
- Material Scope: Forged carbon steel (A105, Q235B), stainless steel (304L, 316L, duplex 2205/2507), alloy steel (A182 F11/F22/F91) – compliant with ASTM, EN, JIS standards, prioritizing high tensile strength, high-temperature stability, corrosion resistance, and load-bearing capacity.
- Key Specifications:
- Size Range: DN10 – DN3600 (customizable non-standard sizes); compatible with NPS 1/2" – 144" and JIS A-series 15A – 1500A.
- Pressure Class: PN10 – PN420 / Class 150 – 2500 (optimized for high-pressure, large-diameter systems).
- Sealing Face Types: Raised Face (RF), Flat Face (FF), Ring Type Joint (RTJ) – matched to system pressure, media, and connection angle requirements.
- Connection Method: Butt welding (long neck to pipe/valve) + bolted joint (flange to flange/machine component) – permanent weld ensures leak-proof integration; bolted connection facilitates maintenance and angular adjustment.
- Core Advantages:
- Enhanced sealing reliability – extended neck improves alignment precision, minimizing leakage risks in high-pressure applications;
- Superior stress distribution – long neck evenly disperses internal pressure and external loads, preventing weld joint failure;
- Pipe weight support – rigid neck structure bears vertical/horizontal pipe weight, reducing reliance on additional supports;
- Angular connection capability – adaptable to non-linear (angled) piping layouts, meeting complex installation requirements;
- Corrosion-resistant and durable – forged structure withstands harsh media (chemicals, seawater, acidic/alkaline fluids) and long-term service.
- Application Scope: Widely used in oil & gas (offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wellhead equipment), chemical processing (high-pressure reactors, large-diameter transfer lines), power generation (nuclear/thermal power boiler systems, turbine pipelines), marine (shipboard heavy-duty piping), and heavy manufacturing (industrial machinery connections) – preferred for high-pressure, large-diameter, weight-bearing, or angular connection scenarios requiring reliable, robust piping systems.