Spade flange

Arc Alloys Ltd are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of spade flanges. Spade flanges are specially designed flanges which are used in the pipeline during shutdown periods and when extensive pipe cleaning operations are taking place. The spade flange is used to completely shut off the pipeline so that maintenance can take place safely and they are regarded as being significantly more reliable than an isolation valve.

Size range

  • 3/8” – 60”

Dimensional standards:

  • ANSI B16.5
  • 47 Series A and B16.47 Series B
  • API 6A
  • API 17D
  • BS EN 1092-1
  • BS 4504
  • BS 10
  • Din
  • JIS
  • Norsok L-005
  • Bespoke to customer drawings / design.

Standard grades:

  • ASTM / ASME A182 / SA182 F51 / F60 / 31803/ 1.4462
  • ASTM / ASME  A182 / SA182 F53/F55 / 32750 / 32760
  • ASTM  / ASME A182 / SA182  F44 / 31254
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO6625 / Alloy 625 / Inconel® 625
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO8800 / Alloy 800 / Incoloy® 800
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO8810 / Alloy 800H / Incoloy® 800H
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO8811 / Alloy 800HT / Incoloy® 800HT
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO6600 / Alloy 600 / Inconel® 600
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO6601 / Alloy 601 / Inconel® 601
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO8020 / Alloy 20 / Carpenter® 20
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO2200 / Alloy 200
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO2201 / Alloy 201
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO6625 / Alloy 400 / Monel® 400
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO7718 / Alloy 718
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO8825 / Alloy 825 / Incoloy® 825
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO10276 / Alloy C276 / Hastelloy®C276
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO6022 / Alloy 22 / Hastelloy® 22
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO10675 / Alloy B3 / Hastelloy® B3
  • ASTM / ASME / A182 / SA182 UNS NO8028 / Alloy 28 / Sanicro®28
  • ASTM / ASME / B564 / SB564 UNS NO5500 / Alloy K500 / Monel® K500
  • ASTM / ASME / A182 / SA182 F304 / F304L / F304H
  • ASTM / ASME / A182 / SA182 F316 / F316L / F316H
  • ASTM / ASME / A182 / SA182 F321 / F321H

Standard facings:

  • Raised face
  • Ring-type joint
  • Flat face
  • Male/female
  • Tongue/groove

What is a spade flange?

The spade flange is a round piece of metal with a small tab and is designed to be inserted between a flange joint and then firmly clamped in pace by screwing in the bolts. This closes off the pipe and prevents cross contamination between liquids and allows engineers to work on the pipeline.

Used extensively in the oil and chemical process industries, a spade flange can be applied to other industries where there is a requirement to close off the flow of one material into another.
Generally a spade flange is kept in an ‘open’ position so that normal flow can take place. Once the flow needs to stop, the spade flange is rotated to the close position and the pipe is totally shut off so that no flow is possible.

Specifications of spade flanges

The sealing surfaces of a spade flange are usually conducted in accordance with the face finish from the flange. The diameter is slightly larger than the raised face of a flange and through correct assembly; the bolts are not touched by the spade flange.

Spade flanges should be made from a plate or forging specification and approved for use by ASME B31.3, or the same chemical composition as the piping involved. They need to be strong and corrosion resistant so they are normally made of materials like stainless steel, nickel alloy, duplex or super duplex.

Generally, spade flanges are available in accordance with API 590 and ASTM 16.48 specifications or made to customer requirements.

Arc Alloys Ltd manufactures and supplies spade flanges in all sizes, specifications and material grades. For more information about our extensive range of spade flanges and to answer any questions you may have then please get in touch and speak to one of our friendly and helpful team. We will be happy to assist you.