ASME and ANSI: Most flanges are supplied with flanges conforming to dimensional standards

developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and accredited by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Various committees within ASME are charged
with developing, issuing and maintaining individual standards. The ASME B16 committees have
this responsibility for valves, flanges and flanged fittings. Standardized dimensions for

Cast iron flanges and flanged fittings are provided in ANSI/ASME B16.1 standard

Steel and stainless steel in the ANSI/ASME B16.5 standard

Ductile iron in the ANSI/ASME B16.42 standard.

Compliance with the applicable standardized flange and flanged fitting dimensions is voluntary
but ensures uniformity so that flanged valves from one manufacturer will bolt to flanges from
another.
Flange Classes: There are four common pressure classes within the ANSI/ASME standards
listed above. Class 125 and Class 250 are cast iron flanges and flanged fittings while Class 150
and Class 300 are ductile iron, steel or stainless steel. Hence, ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 125
flanges are made from cast iron, ANSI/ASME B16.5 Class 150 can be made from steel or
stainless and ANSI/ASME B16.42 Class 150 is made from ductile iron.
However, the bolting pattern is the same for both Class 125 and 150 so, regardless of material,
they will bolt together. This is also the case for Class 250 and 300. Cast iron flanges are usually
flat faced, while ductile iron and steel are usually raised face. When bolting a cast iron flange to
a steel or ductile iron flange, the raised face of the mating flange should be removed to avoid
breaking the cast iron flange when tightening the bolts.
Pressure and Temperature: The ANSI/ASME standards also provide pressure ratings for
various classes of flanges and flanged fittings. The pressure ratings change based on the material
from which it is made and/or the temperature at which it operates. The nominal flange Class
(e.g., Class 125) generally represents the maximum working pressure at the temperature of
saturated steam at that pressure. For example, an ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 125 flange is rated
for 125 PSI at 353oF.
But when used at colder temperatures, such as that of water, the ANSI/ASME maximum
working pressure is higher than the nominal class. ANSI/ASME B16.1 rates Class 125 flanges
and flanged fittings made from high strength cast iron for 200 PSI at temperatures up to 150o F.
ANSI/ASME B16.42 rates Class 150 ductile iron flanges and fittings for 250 PSI at temperatures
up to 100oF. Complete flange and flanged fitting pressure-temperature ratings can be found in
tables within the applicable ANSI/ASME B16.x standard.
AWWA: The American Water Works Association (AWWA) also has committees charged with
addressing the needs of the water works industry. The AWWA C110 committee considered the
ANSI/ASME pressure ratings too conservative when used on water. Through burst testing they
determined flanges and fittings made from high strength cast iron and with dimensions
conforming to ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 125 could be rated for a working pressure of 250 PSI
with at least a 3.0 safety factor. This allows Class 125 cast iron flanges and flanged fittings to
have the same pressure rating as Pressure Class 250 ductile iron pipe. AWWA C110 does not
address ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 250 cast iron flanges or flanged fittings that have a 300 to 500
PSI or higher pressure rating and a totally different bolt pattern than Class 125. Mistakes

sometimes occur because cast iron or ductile iron flanged fittings have 250 cast in them
(indicating a 250 PSI pressure rating) but the flange dimensions and bolt pattern conform to
ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 125 (or ANSI/ASME B16.42 Class 150). These will not bolt to an
ANSI/ASME B16.1 Class 250 flange.
AWWA Valve Pressure Ratings: ANSI/ASME B16 and AWWA C110 pressure ratings are
based on flanges and flanged fittings conforming to standardized geometry and dimensions,
including wall thickness. By comparison, valves are available in countless types, shapes,
configurations and geometries that vary from one manufacturer to the other. While the valves
connecting flanges may conform to ANSI/ASME B16.x dimensions, there are many reasons
why its pressure rating may not be the same as a flange or flanged fitting made from identical
material as the valve. It is the responsibility of the valve manufacturer to establish the pressure
ratings for their products. The design professional should consult the manufacturers published
information and not assume it is the same as the flange or fitting being bolted to it. However, the
pressure ratings of many ANSI/ASME B16.x flanged valves used in waterworks service are
defined in AWWA standards applicable to that type of valve. The pressure rating (or Pressure
Class) listed in the AWWA valve standard may or may not conform to the ANSI/ASME B16.x or
the AWWA C110 pressure rating, leading to even more confusion.
The AWWA valve standards which define a Pressure Class or pressure rating are too numerous
to detail, but include C500 gate valves, C504 butterfly valves, C507 ball valves, C508 check
valves and C517 eccentric plug valves. The design professional should become familiar with the
applicable AWWA valve standard and select the pressure class that is adequate for the working
pressure and be aware that the valves pressure class and connection flange class may not
correspond.
Every component of a piping system should be able to withstand the highest pressure that could
be realized at the location where it is installed. Its hoped the above sheds some light on the
pressure ratings for flanges and flanged valves.
Pressure - Temperature Ratings
For Steel Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
American National Standard ANSI B16.5 - 1988
150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500
Class
lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. lb.
lb.
Pres
450 1125 1500 2225 3350 5575 9275
psig
Temp oF
Maximum Allowable Pres psig
-20 to 100 285 740 990 1480 2220 3705 6170
200
260 675 900 1350 2025 3375 5625
300
230 655 875 1315 1970 3280 5470
400
200 635 845 1270 1900 3170 5280
500
170 600 800 1200 1795 2995 4990
600
140 550 730 1095 1640 2735 4560
650
125 535 715 1075 1610 2685 4475
700
110 535 710 1065 1600 2665 4440
750
95 505 670 1010 1510 2520 4200
800
80 410 550 825 1235 2060 3430

850
65 270 355 535 805 1340 2230
900
50 170 230 345 515 860 1430
950
35 105 140 205 310 515 860
1000
20 50 70 105 155 260 430
Ratings apply to materials.
SA-1051.2 SA-515-702 SA-516-702 SA-181-701.2 SA-350-LF2 SA-537-C1.13 SA-216-WCB2
NOTES:
1. For service temperatures above 850 F it is recommended that killed steels containing not less
than 0.10% residual silicon be used.
2. Upon prolonged exposure to temperatures above 800 F, the carbide phase of carbon steel may
be converted to graphite.
3. The material shall not be used in thickness above 2-1/2 in.
Flanges of ANSI B16.5 shall not be used for higher ratings except where it is justified by the
design methods of the Code. Ratings are maximum allowable non-shock working pressures
expressed as gauge pressure, at the tabulated temperatures and may be interpolated between
temperatures shown. Temperatures are those on the inside of the pressure-containing shell of the
flange. In general, it is the same as that of the contained material.
Working Pressure by Classes, bar
150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500
Class
lb. lb. lb. lb. lb.
lb.
lb.
o
Temp C
Maximum Allowable Pressure, bar
-29 to 38 19 49.6 66.2 99.3 148.9 248.2 413.7
50
18.4 48.1 64.2 96.2 144.3 240.6 400.9
100
16.2 42.2 56.3 84.4 126.6 211.0 351.6
150
14.8 38.5 51.3 77.0 115.5 192.5 320.8
200
13.7 35.7 47.6 71.3 107.0 178.3 297.2
250
12.1 33.4 44.5 66.8 100.1 166.9 278.1
300
10.2 31.6 42.2 63.2 94.9 158.1 263.5
325
9.3 30.9 41.2 61.8 92.7 154.4 257.4
350
8.4 30.3 40.4 60.7 91.0 151.6 252.7
375
7.4 29.9 39.8 59.8 89.6 149.4 249.0
400
6.5 29.4 39.3 58.9 88.3 147.2 245.3
425
5.5 29.1 38.9 58.3 87.4 145.7 242.9
450
4.6 28.8 38.5 57.7 86.5 144.2 240.4
475
3.7 28.7 38.2 57.3 86.0 143.4 238.9
500
2.8 28.2 37.6 56.5 84.7 140.9 235.0
538
1.4 25.2 33.4 50.0 75.2 125.5 208.9
Material for Flanges
Carbon Steel Flange
ASTM A105, ASTM A350 LF1, LF2 CL1/CL2, LF3 CL1/CL2
ASTM A694 F42, F46, F48, F50, F52, F56, F60, F65, F70
Stainless Steel Flange
ASTM A182 F304/304L, F316/316L, F316H, F310, F321

F44 (UNS S31254)

Alloy Steel Flange
ASTM A182 F1, F5a, F9, F11, F12, F22, F91
Chemical Requirements (Composition, %, max)
Mater
ial
C Mn P S Si Ni Cr Mo Cu N V Co
Symb
ol
0.6
0.1
AST
0.3 0- 0.0 0.0 0- 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4
0.0
M
5 1.0 35 40 0.3 0 0 2 0
8
A105
5
5
AST
0.6
0.1
M
0.3 0- 0.0 0.0 5- 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4
0.0 0.0
A350 0 1.3 35 40 0.3 0 0 2 0
8 2
LF2
5
0
AST
8.0 18.
M
0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0A182 8 0 45 30 0 11. 20.
F304
0 0
AST
8.0 18.
M
0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0A182
3 0 45 30 0 13. 20.
F304
0 0
L
AST
10. 16. 2.0
M
0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0- 0- 0A182 8 0 45 30 0 14. 18. 3.0
F316
0 0 0
AST
10. 16. 2.0
M
0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0- 0- 0A182
3 0 45 30 0 15. 18. 3.0
F316
0 0 0
L
AST
9.0 17.
M
0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0A182 8 0 45 30 0 12. 19.
F321
0 0
EN
1002
0.2 1.4 0.0 0.0
0.0
5
0 0 45 45
09
S235J
R
20Mn 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2
0.2

70.2
3
0.1
720
0.2
3
0.1
316Mn
0.1
9

01.0
0
0.6
01.0
0
1.2
01.6
0

735 35 0.3
7
0.1
0.0 0.0 730 20 0.3
7
0.2
0.0 0.0 030 20 0.6
0

0.2 0.2
5 5

0.2
5

0.3 0.3
0 0

0.2
5

Mechanical Requirements
Yiel
Tensil d
Mater e
poi
Reduct Hardn
Elongati
ial
Streng nt,
ion of ess,
on, min,
Symb th,
min
area, max,
%
ol
min, ,
min, % HB
MPa Mp
a
AST
M
485 250 22
30
187
A105
AST
M
485250 22
30
A350 655
LF2
AST
M
515 205 30
50
A182
F304
AST
M
A182 485 170 30
50
F304
L
AST
M
515 205 30
50
A182
F316
AST 485 170 30
50
M
A182
F316

Min.
Impac
t
Avera
ge, J

Test
Tem
p,
C

20

-46

L
AST
M
515 205
A182
F321
20Mn 450 275
20
410 245

30

50

24
25

50
55

197
156

A ASTM cross reference material specification of fittings, flanges, unions and cast and forged
valves can be found in the table below:
Wrought
Material
Forgings
Castings
Fittings
Carbon Steel
A105
A234-WPB
A216-WCB
Cold Temperature Service
A350-LF2
A420-WPL6
Carbon-1/2 Molybdenum Alloy Steel
High Temperature Service
3-1/2 Nickel Alloy Steel
Low Temperature Service
1/2 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel
1/2 Cr-1/2 Mo-1 Ni Alloy
3/4 Cr-1 Mo-3/4 Ni Alloy Steel
1 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel
1-1/4 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel
2-1/4 Cr-1 Mo Alloy Steel
5 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel
5 Cr-1/2 Mo Alloy Steel
9 Cr-1 Mo Alloy Steel
13 Cr Alloy Steel
Type 304 Stainless Steel (18 Cr-8 Ni)
Standard
Low Carbon
High Temperature Service
Type 310 Stainless Steel (25 Cr-20 Ni)
Type 316 Stainless Steel (16 Cr-12 Ni-2 Mo)
Standard
Low Carbon
High Temperature

A182-F1
A350-LF3
A182-F2

A217-WC1
A352-LC1

A234-WP1

A352-LC3

A420-WPL3

A217-WC4
A217-WC5

A182-F12 CL2
A182-F11 CL2 A217-WC6
A182-F22 CL3 A217-WC9
A182-F5
A182-F5a
A217-C5
A182-F9
A217-C12
A182-F6
A743-CA15

A234-WP12 CL2

A182-F304
A182-F304L
A182-F304H

A403-WP304
A403-WP304L
A403-WP304H

A182-F310H
A182-F316
A182-F316L
A182-F316H

Type 317 Stainless Steel (18 Cr-13 Ni-3 Mo)

Type 321 Stainless Steel (18 Cr-10 Ni-Ti)
Standard
A182-F321
High Temperature Service
A182-F321H
Type 347 Stainless Steel (18 Cr-10 Ni-Cb)
Standard
A182-F347

A351-CF3
A351-CF8
A351-CK20

A351-CF3M
A351-CF8M

A234-WP11 CL2
A234-WP22 CL3
A234-WP5
A234-WP9

A403-WP310
A403-WP316
A403-WP316L
A403-WP316H
A403-WP317
A403-WP321
A403-WP321H

A351-CF8C

A403-WP347

High Temperature Service

Type 348 Stainless Steel (18 Cr-10 Ni-Cb)
Standard
High Temperature Service

A182-F347H

A403-WP347H

A182-F348
A182-F348H

A403-WP348
A403-WP438H