Although the dimensions of ASME and API flanges may sometimes be compatible for bolting - using the same

bolt circle and the same number of bolts - they do not share the same pressure rating system.

• ASME rates the pressure of a class based on the material of construction and the design temperature
• API specifies allowable materials and gives it a specific pressure rating

The difference between ASME/ANSI and API is the fabrication material and a higher rated API operating
pressure.

ASME/ANSI flanges are commonly used in industrial process systems handling water, steam, air and gas. API
flanges are manufactured for high strength operating refinery systems with products such as oil and explosive
gases.

The flange standards API 6A and ASME/ANSI B16.5 have the same dimensions - but the API 6A flanges are
rated for higher pressures as indicated below:

API vs. ASME/ANSI Flanges with the same Dimensions

Nominal Size Range
Pressure Class Rating (psi)
(inches)
Flange
ASME/ANSI ASME/ANSI
B16.5
API 6A
B16.5 API 6A1)
600 2000
Weld neck 900 3000 113/16 - 11
1500 5000
1/2 - 24
600 2000 113/16 - 211/4
Blind and
Threaded
900 3000 113/16 - 203/4
1500 5000 113/16 - 11

1)
In the old API standard, flanges ranged from 1 1/2 to 10(20) inches.
Piping Class Ratings based on ASME B16.5 and corresponding PN (Pression Nominal*):

Flange Class 150 300 400 600 900 1500 2500

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

* Pression Nominal is the French equivalent of Pressure Nominal

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

• 1 bar = 1x105 Pa (N/m2) = 0.1 N/mm2 = 10,197 kp/m2 = 10.20 m H2O = 0.98692 atm = 14.5038 psi
(lbf/in2)

PN ratings do not provide a proportional relationship between different PN numbers, whereas class numbers do.
Class numbers are therefore recommended before PN ratings.