Flange

Flanges are used in piping construction to connect two pipe sections to one another, or to connect pipe sections to apparatus casings, valve bodies or machinery casings (e.g. of pumps).

In mechanical engineering, flanges are also employed as transmission elements (e.g. flange couplings on drive shafts).
In terms of form, function and materials used, flange designs (e.g. on pump casings) are always based on established flange standards. Only in exceptional cases (e.g. for pressures above 400 bar) are standards unavailable.