ADELAIDE • BRISBANE • PERTH

FLANGE DIMENSIONS TABLE TYPES

OVERVIEW
In Australia the BS and AS flange standards are essentially the same but have been metricated. Consequently metric
sizes are stated as ‘DN’ (Nominal Diameter) in mm. Equivalent imperial sizing is rounded to the nearest multiple of
25mm (for 2” and over) as below. However the actual dimensions and bore sizes have not changed. ‘NB’ (Nominal
Bore) is also sometimes used when referring to valve sizes.

1/2″ DN15 2 1/2″ DN65 12″ DN300 24″ DN600

3/4″ DN20 3″ DN80 14″ DN350 28″ DN700
1″ DN25 4″ DN100 15″ DN375 30″ DN750
1 1/4″ DN32 5″ DN125 16″ DN400 32″ DN800
1 1/2″ DN40 8″ DN200 18″ DN450 36″ DN900
2″ DN50 10″ DN250 20″ DN500

The most common flanging used in Australia in oil, gas and mining is now ANSI flanging to ANSI B16.5. However in
general industrial, commercial and waste/water industries AS2129 Table flanging is the most common. Increasingly
European PN rated flanges are also specified in BS4504 as well as AS4331 and DIN/EN 1092-1 (EN 1092-1
supersedes BS4504). PN stands for Nominal Pressure and roughly equates to the number of bar i.e. the cold working
pressure of PN10 is 10 bar. Ratings range from PN2.5 to PN420. The latest Australian standard AS4331 references
this rating system (PN2.5 to PN420) but specifies ASME B16.5/MSS-SP44 drilling (adopted) from ISO 7005-1.
Consequently in Australia most users simply just reference to original ASME B16.5 standards as this is already in use
in Australia for the Oil, Gas and Mining industries and in fact in pressures above table E it has been the predominant
standard in use for the last 30 years. However, piping engineers must refer to the new AS standard AS4331 for
interpretations and specification requirements.

Piping Class Ratings based on ASME B16.5 and corresponding PN rating: –

Flange Class 150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500

Flange Pressure Nominal, PN 20 50 68 100 150 250 420

PN is the rating designator followed by a designation number indicating the approximate pressure rating in bars.

PN ratings do not provide a proportional relationship between different PN numbers, whereas class numbers do.

AUSTRALIAN STANDARD
AS2129 originates from BS10 and has been metricated. In some cases slightly larger bolt holes provide better
clearance as metric bolts are specified in lieu of UNC bolts used by BS10. AS4087 is an update of AS2129, however
AS2129 is still widely used so it has not been deleted as a standard, however, it now only covers AS table D to H.

AS4087 is the latest standard for BS table D to H, the same drilling is used but the new PN pressure rating system
has been adopted. As the new pressure ratings are slightly higher the flange thicknesses have slightly increased. Also
the raised face dimensions (although rarely specified, flat face is mostly used) are slightly larger. Table C, J to R, no
longer exist, PN16 is the same drilling as Table D, PN21 is the same as Table E, PN35 is the same as Table H.

AS4331.1 covers PN2.5 to PN420 and the sizing and drilling used is a replication of ISO 7005-1 which in turn is a
metricated equivalent of ASME B16.5 class 150 to 2500. ISO 7005 also incorporates the superceded DIN 2533 & DIN
2501 flanges which AS4331.1 also incorporates (also mirrored in EN1092).

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API6A
API6A flanging is used in Australia in oil drilling and wellhead systems. (see our oilfield slide rule click here. API
ratings range from 2,000 to 20,000 psi (cold working pressure). ANSI was originally born from API, consequently in
class 600 to 900 and 1500 ANSI the flanges are dimensionally equivalent to API 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 in most sizes
to ANSI 300NB (12”) API 13 5/8” but ANSI flanges being manufactured from lower yield strength carbon steel are
rated to lower working pressure. However GSL stocks high yield carbon steel API6A 45K weld neck flanges which are
compatible with ASME A234 WPB fittings and A106B/API5LB pipe. Click here to find out more.

ANSI/ASME
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, of which Australian Pipeline Valve is a member company) is a
group of standards, which are in turn covered within the American Standards Institute (ANSI), hence their flanges can
be referred to as ANSI or ASME class. Class is also traditionally abbreviated CL or LB (verbally spoken as pound)
or cross hash (#) but not psi as this can be misconstrued as the cold working pressure (CWP). Since ANSI 150 for
instance has a CWP of 285 psi, so unlike the PN system the class is not related to CWP. AS4331 has adaptor ANSI
drilling and sizes but uses PN rating classes! Consequently in some sizes flanges are thicker to bring the rating up to
the required PN rating.

ASME PRESSURE CLASSES OF FLANGES

Forged steel flanges, ASME B16.5, are made in seven primary ratings:

150LBS – 300LBS – 400LBS – 600LBS – 900LBS – 1500LBS – 2500LBS

A Class 300 flange is rated to a higher pressure than a Class 150 flange, because a Class 300 flange is constructed
with more metal and therefore can withstand more pressure. However there are a number of factors that can impact
the pressure capability of a flange.

The Pressure Class for flanges is often expressed in ‘pounds’. Different names are used to indicate a Pressure Class.
For example: 150 Lb or 150 Lbs or 150# or Class 150, all mean the same.

ASME PRESSURE RATING

Flanges can withstand different pressures at different temperatures. (Refer to pressure/temperature charts at this
website for various material types). As temperature increases, the pressure rating of the flange decreases. For
example a Class 150 A105 flange is rated to approximately 270 PSIG (1861 KPA) at ambient temperature, 180 PSIG
(1241 KPA) at approximately 400ºF (204ºC) 150 PSIG (1034 KPA) at approximately 600ºF (315ºC), and 75 PSIG (517
KPA) at approximately 800ºF (426ºC). Consequently when the pressure goes down, the temperature goes up and vice
versa. Additional factors are that flanges can be constructed from different materials, such as stainless steel, cast and
ductile iron, alloy steel, carbon steel, etc. Each material has a different pressure rating.

Here is an example of a flange NPS 12 (300NB) in all

main pressure classes. This example demonstrates
that diameter of the raised face are all the same;
but outside diameter, bolt circle and diameter of bolt
holes become larger in each higher pressure class.
The bore is subject to the required schedule. Refer
to our Flange Chart – ‘Online Slide Rule’ above for
flange dimensions. The number and diameter (mm)
of the bolt holes for the example below of 300NB
is: 12 x 25.4mm Class 150, 16 x 32mm Class 300,
16 x 34.9 Class 400, 20 x 34.9mm Class 600, 20 x
38.1mm Class 900, 16 x 54mm Class 1500 and 12 x
73mm Class 2500.

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PRESSURE-TEMPERATURE RATINGS
Pressure/temperature ratings are maximum allowable working pressures allowed as per ASME B16.5 (published in
metric and imperial). For intermediate temperatures, linear interpolation is calculated by manufacturers.

Pressure-temperature ratings apply to flanged joints which may be reduced by gaskets or studs used.

The temperature shown for a corresponding pressure rating is the temperature of the pressure-containing shell of the
valve or flange. In general, this temperature is the same as that of the media in line and the external environment,
whichever is greatest (but also lowest temperature of each must be factored for low temperature service). For any
temperature below -29ºC, the rating shall be no greater than the rating shown for -29ºC, depending on materials the
rating can be lower.

The below two tables are examples of two material groups according to ASTM, flange pressure-temperature ratings to
ASME B16.5 – 2009.

ASTM Group 2-1.1 Materials

Nominal Designation Forgings Castings
C-Si A105 (1) A216 Gr.WCB (1)
C-Mn-Si A350 Gr.LF2 (1) –
3 1/2Ni A350 Gr.LF3 –
C-Mn-Si-V A350 Gr.LF6 Cl 1 (3) –
NOTES:
(1) Upon prolonged exposure to temperatures above 425ºC, the carbide phase of steel may be converted to graphite.
Permissible but not recommended for prolonged use above 425ºC.
(3) Do not use over 260ºC.

ASTM Group 2-2.3 Materials

Nominal Designation Forgings Castings
16Cr-12Ni-2Mo A182 Gr.F316L A351 CF3M
18Cr-13Ni-3Mo A182 Gr.F317L
18Cr-8Ni A182 Gr.F304L (1) A351 CF3
NOTES:
(1) Do not use over 425ºC.

The following 2 tables show pressure/temperature ratings for ANSI/ASME class 150 to 2500LB for group 2-1.1 and
2-2.3.

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 Pressure-Temperature Ratings for ASTM Group 2-1.1 Materials
Working pressure by Classes, BAR
Temp.°C 150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500
-29 to 38 19.6 51.1 68.1 102.1 153.2 255.3 425.5
50 19.2 50.1 66.8 100.2 150.4 250.6 417.7
100 17.7 46.6 62.1 93.2 139.8 233 388.3
150 15.8 45.1 60.1 90.2 135.2 225.4 375.6
200 13.8 43.8 58.4 87.6 131.4 219 365
250 12.1 41.9 55.9 83.9 125.8 209.7 349.5
300 10.2 39.8 53.1 79.6 119.5 199.1 331.8
325 9.3 38.7 51.6 77.4 116.1 193.6 322.6
350 8.4 37.6 50.1 75.1 112.7 187.8 313
375 7.4 36.4 48.5 72.7 109.1 181.8 303.1
400 6.5 34.7 46.3 69.4 104.2 173.6 289.3
425 5.5 28.8 38.4 57.5 86.3 143.8 239.7
450 4.6 23 30.7 46 69 115 191.7
475 3.7 17.4 23.2 34.9 52.3 87.2 145.3
500 2.8 11.8 15.7 23.5 35.3 58.8 97.9
538 1.4 5.9 7.9 11.8 17.7 29.5 49.2

Pressure-Temperature Ratings for ASTM Group 2-2.3 Materials

Working pressure by Classes, BAR
Temp.°C 150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500
-29 to 38 15.9 41.4 55.2 82.7 124.1 206.8 344.7
50 15.3 40 53.4 80 120.1 200.1 333.5
100 13.3 34.8 46.4 69.6 104.4 173.9 289.9
150 12 31.4 41.9 62.8 94.2 157 261.6
200 11.2 29.2 38.9 58.3 87.5 145.8 243
250 10.5 27.5 36.6 54.9 82.4 137.3 228.9
300 10 26.1 34.8 52.1 78.2 130.3 217.2
325 9.3 25.5 34 51 76.4 127.4 212.3
350 8.4 25.1 33.4 50.1 75.2 125.4 208.9
375 7.4 24.8 33 49.5 74.3 123.8 206.3
400 6.5 24.3 32.4 48.6 72.9 121.5 202.5
425 5.5 23.9 31.8 47.7 71.6 119.3 198.8
450 4.6 23.4 31.2 46.8 70.2 117.1 195.1

LB is the origin of the Latin word Libra (weighing scale) a Roman unit of mass similar to a pound, hence this has been
adopted as another way of saying Class. Never say PSI as this can be confused with API 6B flanges which are rated
by PSI (CWP).

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 Temperature - Pressure Ratings for Carbon Steel Plate Flanges
Pressure - kPa, Temperature - ºC
Maximum
“Flange -18º -50º
250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 475 hydrostatic test
table” to 120 to 232
pressure kPa
D 700 650 600 570 550 500 450 400 350 1 050

C 1 200 1 800

E 1 400 1 300 1 200 1 100 1 000 950 900 800 700 2 100

F 2 100 2 000 1 800 1 700 1 600 1 400 1 300 1 200 1 100 3 150

H 3 500 3 300 3 100 2 900 2 600 2 400 2 000 2 000 1 700 1 300 900 5 250

J 4 800 4 600 4 300 4 000 3 700 3 400 3 100 2 700 2 400 1 900 1 300 7 200

K 6 200 5 900 5 500 5 100 4 700 4 300 3 900 3 500 3 100 2 400 1 600 9 300

R 8 300 7 900 7 400 6 800 6 300 5 800 5 200 4 700 4 200 3 200 2 200 12 450

S 12 400 11 800 11 100 10 300 9 500 8 700 7 900 7 100 6 300 4 800 3 300 18 600

T 19 300 18 400 17 200 16 000 14 700 13 500 12 200 11 000 9 800 7 500 5 100 28 950

AS2129 still in use but now only covers Table D to H (Table C now obsolete), Table J to T have now been replaced
by AS4331 which is a replication of ISO 7005-1 & 7005-2 which has adopted the old DIN 2501 PN ratings & drillings.
ISO 7005-1 also mirrors ASME B16.5/MSS SP44 flanges which have been assigned equivalent PN ratings. AS4331.1
(steel flanges) is the same as ISO 7005-1. AS4331.2 is the same as ISO 7005-2. AS4087 is the new standard covering
Table D, F and H. Table D, F and H drilling is specified but the PN rating system is used (PN14 to PN35). Table E
drilling is no longer used.

For ANSI 150 to 2500 class flange pressure/temperature ratings refer to the forged pressure/temperature ratings
shown in the following link.

Ask our salesman to post you an ANSI Slide Rule.

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Flange Pressure Temperature Ratings ASME AS R1 - AS

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