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Flange Pressure
Rating Explained
(and Charts)
Home » Flanges » What are Flanges? » Flange Pressure Rating Explained (and Charts)
• Author: Projectmaterials
• Posted: September 20, 2017
• 10 Comments
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What means ANSI flange pressure rating? How to select the right flange rating?
The term “flange rating” (or class) refers to the maximum pressure (in psi or bars)
that a flange withstands at increasing temperatures. Flanges with a higher rating
(class) are stronger than flanges with lower ratings, as they bear more pressure at
increasing temperatures. Flanges made in different materials show different
pressure-temperature performance at the same rating. In the article, you find the
pressure rating charts for carbon, alloy, and stainless steel flanges and some
guidance about selecting the proper rating for your piping application.

ANSI FLANGE PRESSURE RATING EXPLAINED

Pressure rating is defined as the maximum allowed pressure that a flange can
withstand at increasing temperatures. According to the ANSI/ASME B16.5
specification, there are seven flange pressure ratings: 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500,
and 2500.
The terms “pressure rating”, “class”, “#”, “Lb” or “Lbs” are interchangeable, i.e. they all
refer to the same exact concept of pressure/temperature performance of a flange (and
other equipment like valves, fittings, etc).

Let’s make this clear with an example:

If two flanges have the same bore size (example 6 inches), the same material
(example A105), but two different pressure ratings (one flange is class 150, the other
300), the lower rated flange (class 150) will be smaller, lighter, and less robust than the
higher rated flange (class 300). This is represented in the picture:

Flange Pressure Ratings

Now, let’s look at what this means in terms of pressure rating:

• the class 150 flange withstands just 140 psi at a temperature of 600 degrees F°
(as per the rating chart below)
• the class 300 flange (bigger and stronger, but with the same bore size)
withstands 570 psi at the same temperature of 600 degrees F°
• finally, a class 2500 flange of the same size bears 34 times more pressure than
the class 150 rated flange, reaching a whopping 4730 psi rating at 600 F°!
So, how to select the proper flange rating?

1. Find the rating table that applies to your flange scrolling below (this depends
on the material of the flange, as flanges with different material grades have
different pressure ratings)
2. Determine the max working temperature in your piping system (i.e. select one
line in the table)
3. Select a rating based on the maximum pressure you expect at that
temperature level (i.e. select one column in that line)
 4. Voilà, you have the required rating!
To help you do this easily, find below the ASME B16.34 pressure rating charts for the
most common flange materials (carbon, alloy, stainless).

CARBON STEEL FLANGE RATING CHART

Carbon steel flange pressure-temperature rating ASME

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A105, A350 Gr. LF2/LF6 Class 1

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE RA

Temperature (in F°) 150# 300# 400# 600#

< 100 285 740 985 1480

200 260 680 905 1360

300 230 655 870 1310

400 200 635 845 1265

 500 170 605 805 1205

600 140 570 755 1135

650 125 550 730 1100

700 110 530 710 1060

750 95 505 675 1015

800 80 410 550 825

850 65 320 425 640

900 50 230 305 460

950 35 135 185 275

1000 20 85 115 170

Hydrostatic Test Pressure (in 450 1125 1500 2225

Psig)

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in bars

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE RA

Temperature in C° 150# 300# 400# 600#

 -29 / 38 19.6 51.1 68.1 102.1

50 19.2 50.1 66.8 100.2

100 17.7 46.6 62.1 93.2

150 15.8 45.1 60.1 90.2

200 13.8 43.8 58.4 87.6

250 12.1 41.9 55.9 83.9

300 10.2 39.8 53.1 79.6

325 9.3 38.7 51.6 77.4

350 8.4 37.6 50.1 75.1

375 7.4 36.4 48.5 72.7

400 6.5 34.7 46.3 69.4

425 5.5 28.8 38.4 57.5

450 4.6 23 30.7 46

475 3.7 17.4 23.2 34.9

500 2.8 11.8 15.7 23.5

Notes:

• ASTM A105: An extended exposure to temperatures above 425°C, converts the carbide phase of

steel to graphite (therefore this material is not recommended for constant temperatures above

this value.

• ASTM A350 LF6: shall not be used for temperatures above 260 C°

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A350 Gr. LF3, A350 LF6, Class 2

The flange rating chart shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE RA

Temperature in °F 150# 300# 400# 600#

-20 to 100 290 750 1000 1500

200 260 750 1000 1500

300 230 730 970 1455

400 200 705 940 1410

500 170 665 885 1330

600 140 605 805 1210

650 125 590 785 1175

 700 110 570 755 1135

750 95 505 670 1010

800 80 410 550 825

850 65 270 355 535

900 50 170 230 345

950 35 105 140 205

1000 20 50 70 105

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A350 Gr. LF1

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) — in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE R

Temperature °F 150# 300# 400# 600#

-20 to 100 235 620 825 1235

200 215 560 750 1125

300 210 550 730 1095

 400 200 530 705 1060

500 170 500 665 995

600 140 455 610 915

650 125 450 600 895

700 110 450 600 895

750 95 445 590 885

800 80 370 495 740

850 65 270 355 535

900 50 170 230 345

950 35 105 140 205

1000 20 50 70 105

ALLOY STEEL FLANGE RATING CHART

 Alloy steel flange pressure-temperature rating ASME

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A182 Gr. F1 (Chrome Moly)

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE R

Temperature °F 150# 300# 400# 600#

-20 to 100 265 695 925 1390

200 260 680 905 1360

300 230 655 870 1305

400 200 640 855 1280

500 170 620 830 1245

600 140 605 805 1210

650 125 590 785 1175

 700 110 570 755 1135

750 95 530 710 1065

800 80 510 675 1015

850 65 485 650 975

900 50 450 600 900

950 35 280 375 560

1000 20 165 220 330

STAINLESS STEEL FLANGE RATING CHART

Stainless steel flange pressure-temperature rating ASME

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A182 Gr. F304, 304L

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE RA

Temperature °F 150# 300# 400# 600#

-20 to 100 275 720 960 1440

200 230 600 800 1200

300 205 540 720 1080

400 190 495 660 995

500 170 465 620 930

600 140 435 580 875

650 125 430 575 860

700 110 425 565 850

750 95 415 555 830

800 80 405 540 805

850 65 395 530 790

900 50 390 520 780

950 35 380 510 765

 1000 20 320 430 640

1050 20 310 410 615

1100 20 255 345 515

1150 20 200 265 400

1200 20 155 205 310

1250 20 115 150 225

1300 20 85 115 170

1350 20 60 80 125

1400 20 50 65 95

1450 15 35 45 70

1500 10 25 35 55

ANSI FLANGE ASTM A182 Gr. F316, 316L

The flange rating table shows the maximum pressure for flanges of classes

150/300/400/600/900/1500/2500 at increasing temperatures (Celsius or Fahrenheit) – in PSI

ANSI/ASME B16.34 ANSI PRESSURE RA

Temperature °F 150# 300# 400# 600#

-20 to 100 275 720 960 1440

200 235 620 825 1240

300 215 560 745 1120

400 195 515 685 1025

500 170 480 635 955

600 140 450 600 900

650 125 445 590 890

700 110 430 580 870

750 95 425 570 855

800 80 420 565 845

850 65 420 555 835

900 50 415 555 830

950 35 385 515 775

1000 20 350 465 700

 1050 20 345 460 685

1100 20 305 405 610

1150 20 235 315 475

1200 20 185 245 370

1250 20 145 195 295

1300 20 115 155 235

1350 20 95 130 190

1400 20 75 100 150

1450 20 60 80 115

1500 20 40 55 85

HOW TO SELECT FLANGE RATING

If you are still in doubt about how to select the flange rating, take a look at this useful
video:

10 Responses
1. Joules says:
August 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm
{08/28/19 @ 15:12 EDT}
I found this site to contain much useful information but not exactly what I need. I
hope you can help regarding the correct
ASME flange to use for methane service @ 1000°C and 0.2 MPa. I think 900# RF or
RTJ? Please, where could I find that information?
Thanks for any help.

Ps. Information not found in “Flange Pressure Rating Explained (and Charts)” article.
Charts end at 1500 F (815°C)

Reply

1. James Geisler says:

May 19, 2020 at 3:58 pm
The bolts in flanges will relax so flange over 1500F are troublesome. Typical
the connect would be internally insulated so the flange and bolts would
operate at a lower temperature.

Reply
2.

3. Saeed says:
July 25, 2020 at 9:16 pm
Hi,
I have a question about pressure-temperature rating. For which fittings the standard
define class rating?
Specifically i want to know why “insulating joints” has class rating?
Thanks

Reply

4. Ray says:
October 15, 2020 at 2:18 am
Hi
If my pipe is SS 316L. My Backing Flange is #150 lb forged Steel, lap joint
(Galvanized) should the Flange pressure rating be based on a Carbon Steel #150
Flange?

Reply

5. GRAILLY says:
December 9, 2020 at 9:02 pm
How you calc max pressure testing of flang A105 900#

in google search it was 3350psi

 Reply

6. Johann says:
February 16, 2021 at 10:26 am
Good day,

I have a 200mm T/10 BS4504 galvanized carbon steel flange. I want to multi drill it to
T/1600. What will the pressure rating be on the flange after drilling?

Reply
7.

8. Shahid says:
June 23, 2021 at 7:05 pm
I have to flange 24 inch diameter mild steel pipes for a water pressure as low as 10
psi. I am concerned why should I use #150 flanges which are over strong for my
need? I am desperately looking for some other flange standards which deal with very
low pressures. I will be much obliged if some one can help.

Reply

9. Baibhav Raj says:

July 19, 2021 at 6:21 pm
Useful information but not complete.
You didn’t mention size. Let’s assume if I select for 10″ 300# flange will this hold the
same pressure as 6″ 300# flange of the same material.
I don’t think so.
By the way great website, and well maintained to know even more from other articles.

Reply

10. Johny says:

August 10, 2021 at 9:13 am
Hi.
Please suggest flange dimension for T= 1200K and Pressure=100 bar. Also provide
reference if possible.
thanks in advance

Reply

11. Lukman Nulhakiem says:

May 20, 2022 at 8:01 am
Thank you for sharing this information. I can get flange rating data quickly by using
this chart. I recommend you to make a flange pressure rating calculator instead of
only chart. Calculators will be more easier to use.

Reply
12.
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