Stainless Steel Flanges | Continental Steel & Tube Company

Continental Steel & Tube Company supplies stainless steel flanges to buyers, project managers, and engineers across marine, aerospace, military, petrochemical, medical, and industrial markets. We are an ISO 9001:2015- and AS9120B:2016-certified distributor and DFARS compliant, with distribution facilities in Texas, Florida, Ohio, and California.

Learn more about our stainless steel flange types and grades, including their properties, benefits, and applications.

Types of Stainless Steel Flanges

Each flange type serves a specific installation, depending on your project requirements:

Weld neck flange. Preferred for high-temperature and high-pressure service. The tapered hub distributes stress along the pipe wall for a leak-resistant butt-weld joint.
Slip-on flange. The flange slips on over the pipe and is fillet welded inside and outside. Suited for lower-pressure service at a lower upfront cost than weld neck.
Socket weld flange. Best for high-pressure, small-diameter pipe. A fillet weld seals the joint.
Threaded flange. A threaded bore connects directly to the pipe with no welding. These maintenance-friendly flanges are well-suited to flammable areas.
Blind flange. Solid discs that close the end of a pipe or vessel nozzle while withstanding full system pressure.
Lap joint flange. Used with stub ends, lap joint flanges allow for rotation and is suited for systems needing frequent disassembly.

Our Stainless Steel Flange Grades

We supply stainless steel pipe flanges in the grades most specified by engineers across industrial, marine, and hygienic applications. Each stainless steel pipe flange comes with certification documentation and compliance with ASTM, AMS, and MIL-SPEC standards where required. Our stainless steel flange grades include:

304/304L. Handles most aqueous environments and mild chemical exposure. 304L offers improved resistance to sensitization after welding.
310/310S/310H. These grades provide excellent resistance to high-temperature corrosion and oxidation.
316/316L. This series features resistance to chlorides, pitting, and crevice corrosion. Standard for marine, pharmaceutical, and sanitary process streams.
317/317L. With higher molybdenum, nickel, and chromium content than the 316 series, the 317 series is used for chloride-rich, acidic, and high-temperature environments.
321/321H. Made from titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel, this series is best for high-temperature applications in chemical processing, jet engine, and exhaust systems.
2205 Duplex. Features higher yield strength than standard austenitic grades with good resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
2207 Duplex. Provides exceptional resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion in offshore and desalination service.

Pressure Ratings

We carry a full range of ASME B16.5-defined pressure-temperature classes for pipe flanges: Class 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500, and 3000. The actual allowable pressure decreases as operating temperature rises. Cross-reference the pressure-temperature curve for your stainless steel flange grade against your operating conditions before finalizing a specification.

Properties & Benefits of Our Stainless Steel Flanges

Our stainless steel pipe flanges provide reliable service life and reduced total cost of ownership through these benefits:

Corrosion resistance. The passive chromium oxide layer resists oxidation, most acids, and a broad range of substances over a wide pH range.
Strength at elevated temperatures. Austenitic stainless grades retain mechanical properties across cryogenic and elevated service temperatures.
Hygienic surface finish. Stainless steel flanges accept polished finishes to meet sanitary and regulatory requirements for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical installations.
Low maintenance cost. No painting or routine coating maintenance required.

Applications of Stainless Steel Flanges

Continental Steel & Tube supplies high-quality stainless steel flanges for marine, aerospace, military, petrochemical, medical, and industrial sectors:

Marine environments demand 316 or duplex grades to resist saltwater corrosion in piping systems.
Aerospace and military projects require stainless steel pipe flanges to meet strict mission-critical standards for fluid systems under extreme thermal cycling.
Petrochemical facilities rely on stainless steel flanges for corrosive process streams.
Medical and pharmaceutical plants require sanitary finishes to prevent contamination.
Industrial customers select these flanges for compressed air, water treatment, and food processing lines where corrosion resistance is essential.

FAQs: Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges

What’s the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel flanges?

Grade 304 contains chromium and nickel. Grade 316 adds molybdenum, increasing resistance to chloride pitting and crevice corrosion. 304 SS flanges are sufficient for general applications, while 316 SS flanges are better for marine, coastal, or halide environments.

How do I determine the right flange class for my application?

Rated pressure and temperature for a specific material grade govern class selection. ASME B16.5 pressure-temperature tables map these variables to the required class.

Can Continental Steel provide processing services for my stainless steel flanges?

Yes. We offer cutting, grinding, boring, and additional processing for stainless steel flanges purchased from us. Visit our Services page for more information about our processing services.

Request a Quote for Stainless Steel Flanges from Continental Steel & Tube

Continental Steel & Tube supplies stainless steel flanges in multiple grades, types, and pressure classes. Our technical team provides rapid response, working with buyers and project managers to provide required documentation and meet tight delivery schedules.