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Presented here is a history of the development of ASME B16.5, Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
prepared by Guy Jolly and Don Frikken. Topics included in separate sections are:
1. General History
2. Ratings History
3. Flange Facing Finish History
1. General History This section is a summary of changes in the B16.5 standard over the years. While this
section has some descriptions regarding ratings, you can find a more extensive discussion in the Ratings
History Section.
Originally, flanges always were made integral with fittings or valves. Threaded, lopped, and various
welding types of flanges came into being because of the development of threading and tapping
machinery, the development of flanging or VanStoning processes, and later the development of the art
of welding.
Year Summary of Changes Materials
1920 B16 committee formed by the American Engineering Standards
Committee to unify and further develop standards for pipe flanges
and fittings.
1923 Subcommittee 3 was organized to develop flange standards for
pressures in the 250 psi to 3200 psi range and for elevated
temperatures. Active work began in October, including steel flanged
fittings.
1927 B16e, STEEL PIPE FLANGES AND FLANGED FITTINGS, published as Flanges
American Tentative Standard with requirements for 250, 400, 600, ‐ A95‐26T
900 and 1350 lb flanges. Integral flanges, i.e. flanges cast or forged as ‐ A105‐26T
part of the fitting, were covered in all series; threaded and blind Bolting
companion flanges were covered only in the 250 lb series. The ‐ A96‐26 Classes A, B, & C
dimensions of the 250 lb Cast 1ron Standard were accepted directly
for the 250 lb series and, with increased bolting and a thickening of
the flanges, for the 400 lb series. The 800 lb, 1200 lb, and 3000 lb
Hydraulic Standards, with modifications, served as the basis for the
600 lb, 900 lb, and 1350 lb series.
ASME B16.5 History Rev. 2018‐1‐4
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2. Ratings History This section describes in more detail the rating history of B16.5 flanges, including the
introduction of ceiling pressure values.
Year Summary of Changes
1927 B16e, STEEL PIPE FLANGES AND FLANGED FITTINGS, published with requirements for 250, 400, 600,
900 and 1350 lb flanges. The ratings were based on working steam pressures in psi at 750oF. Higher
pressures were allowed for non‐shock hydraulic ratings for fluids such as boiler feed water to 450oF.
The highest pressures were allowed for non‐shock hydraulic ratings for fluids such as air at or near
ambient temperature.
Ratings in psi
Series Air Temp 450oF 750oF
250 500 325 250
400 750 500 400
600 1000 720 600
900 1500 1080 300
1350 2250 1625 1350
1932 ASA B16e published with addition of 100 lb flanges; rerating of 250 lb to 300 lb and 1350 lb to 1500
lb flanges. The addition of the 100 lb flanges was motivated by the needs of the oil refineries where
the use of cast iron had been found to constitute a hazard in case of fire. The uprating of the 1350 lb
series resulted from demands of the power industry which was reaching for higher pressures and
temperatures. In some sizes, notably the 2½ and 3 inch sizes (largest 4‐bolt flanges), difficulties in
producing tightness with certain gaskets were reported. This was thought to be related to their wide
bolt spacing in relation to the flange thickness.
Ratings in psi
o o o
Series Air Temp 300 F 450 F 500 F 750oF
100 250 200 150 100
300 500 400 300
400 750 500 400
600 1000 720 600
900 1500 1080 300
1500 2500 1800 1500
1935 A single‐sheet addendum issued under the designation ASA B16e1‐1935. This dealt entirely with
pressure‐temperature ratings. The primary ratings were unchanged, but made two improvements:
1. The ratings below 750 oF were made more uniform.
2. Flanges had been limited to 750 oF. New ratings were added for higher temperatures based
on newly revealed creep properties of medium steel.
Service pressure, % rating at 750oF
o
Temperature ( F) 750 800 850 900 950 1000
Steam Service 100 83 67
Oil Service 100 92 82 70 55 40
ASME B16.5 History Rev. 2018‐1‐4
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Year Summary of Changes
1939 A revision was published that added pressure‐temperature ratings for carbon‐molybdenum steels.
Pressure‐temperature ratings were 20% higher for ring joint gaskets (Class A) than for other types of
gaskets (Class B). 100 lb flanges were re designated as 150 lb without a change to the pressure‐
temperature ratings nor any changes in critical dimensions except that 3‐1/2 inch and smaller
flanges had an increase in flange thickness.
Standard faced carbon molybdenum and equivalent alloy steel flanges were given the ratings
established for 5% chromium molybdenum alloy steel flanges in Section 3 of the Code for Pressure
Piping, ASA B31.1‐1935. Their primary rating temperature was 900oF; above this value, the ratings
paralleled the decrease in creep strength of the material. The secondary rating pressure, of 100oF
was estab1ished 20% higher than that for carbon steel, presumably based on the higher yield
strength of 5% chromium molybdenum; ratings between 100oF and 900oF were
interpolated.
Ring‐joint carbon molybdenum flange ratings were made to follow the cast or forged alloy steel
flange ratings established by the oil industry in the 1937 issue of API Standard S‐G‐3. The ring joint
ratings were set at six fifths of the ratings established for standard faced flanges.
1943 During World War II (WWII), the USA War Production Board brought together a group of Stress
Analyst and flange experts to review the B16e‐1939 flange standard pressure‐temperature ratings
that existed at that time. This was a “full time job” for this team and action was at a premium. Their
goal was to make carbon steel flanges more acceptable for the defense industry projects during
WWII without relying on alloy steel flanges. With exception of the 150 lb flanges, they increased all
the flange ratings and published an American War Standard (B16e5‐1943) for flanges that was used
during WWII for defense contracts. The American War Standard history indicates that they did not
change the 150 1b ratings with the reason, “the Class 150 series is not sufficiently strong to warrant
any improvement in its present rating”. Fluid service ratings were removed but gasket specific
ratings were retained. The flanged valve ratings were made to be the same as the flange class
ratings.
1949 ASA B16e6 was published. Following WWII, the Flange Committee adopted the American War
Standard pressure temperature ratings and those ratings are close to what are in B16.5 today.
1953 Added a general rating method that was permitted to be used for unlisted materials.
1957 ASA B16.5 published with deletion of Class B ratings (for raised face flanges) making Class A ratings
(for ring joint flanges) the standard for all types of flanges; limiting dimensions for gaskets, other
than ring joint, which would merit the ratings; and the addition of pressure‐temperature ratings for
several new materials. The revised pressure‐temperature rating method required that all ratings not
exceed the carbon steel ratings up to 650oF. Because of its low yield strength A182 F304 had lower
ratings than carbon steel from ‐20oF to 650oF. This was the first use of the ceiling pressure values.
1960 ASA B16.5 addenda published with ratings for nickel, low‐carbon nickel, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy B,
Hastelloy C, aluminum alloys, and aluminum bronze.
1961 ASA B16.5 published with clarifications.
ASME B16.5 History Rev. 2018‐1‐4
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Year Summary of Changes
1968 ASA B16.5 published with clarifications. This edition was referenced in ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Codes until B16.5‐1977 was published.
1971 ANSI B16.31, Non‐ Ferrous Pipe Flanges, published with ratings from the ASA B16.5 1960 addenda.
1973 An effort was made to develop a modern rational method for determining ratings for flanges made
from new materials. Extensive successful experience had validated the ratings established in 1943,
but how to translate that experience to new materials wasn’t firmly established. The rating method
developed resulted in flange ratings that were similar to the 1943 ratings for Class 300 and higher
flanges as shown in Figure 1. Applying the same rules to Class 150 flange ratings resulted in a
significant bump in the ratings at higher temperatures as shown in Figure 2.
ANSI B16.5 was published with the revised rating procedure. The revised rating procedure included a
ceiling pressure‐temperature table with values that could not be exceeded even for those flanges
having specified strength properties significantly greater than the ceiling materials. The ceiling
pressures below creep was based on the ratings for A216 WCC. The ceiling pressures in the creep
range were based on the higher of the ratings of A216 WCC and A182 F316.
1977 The new ratings published in 1973, were not accepted by the referencing Boiler and Pressure Codes
nor by the piping codes. Organized opposition to the increase in ratings for Class 150 flanges led by
petroleum refiners prevented the adoption of the ratings in the 1973 edition of B16.5. The reasoning
was that experience has shown that the existing Class 150 ratings, while generally acceptable, were
marginal, so any significant increase in ratings for these flanges should not be permitted.
The rating method was modified so that the Class 150 flanges had ratings similar to the historically
proven ratings, and ANSI B16.5‐1977 was published with ratings similar to the 1968 edition. This
edition included revision of ratings for stainless steel and certain alloy steel flanges. The ceiling
pressures and ceiling materials were changed. Except for Class 150 flanges ceiling pressures below
creep temperature were based on the A216 WCC material group ratings for 500oF and lower
temperatures. Over 500oF into the creep temperature the ceiling pressure was based on the higher
of the ratings of A182 F11 and A182 F316 material groups. An empirical method was introduced for
ceiling pressures for Class 150 ratings.
1981 ANSI B16.5 published with the addition of nickel and nickel alloys. ANSI B16.31 was withdrawn to
avoid the conflict in nickel and nickel alloy ratings with B16.5. The ratings were similar but not
identical.
1988 ASME/ANSI B16.5 published with nickel alloy ratings extended to higher temperatures.
1996 ASME B16.5 published with permission for dual marking; revised flange facing finish requirements;
and revised pressure‐temperature ratings. Changes in tensile, yield or allowable stresses in ASME
Section II, Part D led to B16.5 pressure‐temperature rating changes.
2003 ASME B16.5 published with revised pressure‐temperature ratings.
ASME B16.5 History Rev. 2018‐1‐4
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Year Summary of Changes
2009 ASME B16.5 published with clarifications and some updates to pressure‐temperature ratings.
2013 No substantive rating changes.
2017 No substantive rating changes.
Figure 1. Class 300 Carbon Steel Ratings
800
700
600
Pressure, psi
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Temperature, F
Figure 2. Class 150 Carbon Steel Flange Ratings
300
250
Pressre, psi
200
150
100
50
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Temperature, F
3. Flange Facing Finish History
Year Flange Facing Finish Requirements
1957 ASA B16.5 had no requirements for flange facing finish (FFF).
1961 ASA B16.5 required FFF meet the requirements of MSS SP‐6‐1955.
1973 ANSI B16.5 added specific requirements for FFF. For raised face and large male and female:
24 to 40 grooves per inch using a tool with an approximate 0.06 in. or greater radius
500 microinch maximum roughness for Class 150 & 300
250 microinch maximum roughness for Class 400 and higher
1977 ANSI B16.5 changed the maximum roughness requirement for Class 400 and higher to 500
microinch.
1981 ANSI B16.5 changed the roughness requirement to a range of 125 to 500 microinch.
1996 ASME B16.5 revised the FFF requirements for FFF of other facings to:
45 to 55 grooves per inch
125 to 250 microinch roughness
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the flange facing finish discussions lasted for about an hour at each of the
B16 subcommittee meetings. The reason for the discussions was the perceived needed FFF for the
various types of gaskets used with the flanges. For sheet gaskets, like the popular compressed asbestos
gaskets used at the time, a rougher finish is desirable to lower the probability that the gasket will be
blown out of the flanged joint. For metal gaskets, like the recently introduced spiral wound gasket, a
smoother finish is desirable to make it easier to obtain a good seal. At the time, the spiral wound gasket
manufacturers were saying the flanges should have a 125 microinch finish for use with their gaskets. As
a result, many piping material specifications with spiral wound gaskets specified flanges to B16.5, except
with a FFF of 125 microinch.
In 1986, Gordon Ruoff of Pennsylvania Process Compressors showed the 20 to 44 grooves/inch using a
0.06 in. radius tool would not produce a finish in the range of 125 to 500 microinch. Gordon used
calculations and measured roughness on machined samples to support his position. This presentation
led to the changes in the 1996 edition. Subsequently, the requirement for the 125 microinch FFF was
dropped in most piping material specification because the finer B16.5 standard FFF was accepted.
Sources
1. Guy Jolly and Don Frikken personal files
2. Various editions of the B16 flange standard
3. Piping Engineering published by Tube Turns, 1953 edition