The 37° Flare Flange System is a non-welded piping connection that uses flared pipe ends, matching internal cones and flanges to create a secure, leak-free connection. O-ring seals provide sealing between the mating cones and the flared pipe connection.
How the 37° Flare Flange System works
The flange is slipped onto the pipe before flaring. After flaring, the cones are located into the pipe. The O-Ring face cone with the O-Ring seal mates with the flat face cone. Both the cones have back-up O-Rings. Bolting the connection together draws the flared pipe and cone in contact with each other providing an elastomer seal at the flare and at the face.
The flanges can be rotated prior to bolting thus eliminating the need to be concerned about the axis of the pipe on which the fitter aligns the flange holes. At times, it also allows the flange cap screws to be installed in more confined spaces. Pipe flaring is an easy to implement process. Learn more on how flaring is done.
TMI has in-house developed a Flaring machine to meet the required standard of 37 Degree flare flange. The operation is simple and the machine operator needs basic training to operate the equipment which will be provided by our in house installation team.
37° Flare Flange Specifications
Material and Pipe Sizes
37° Flare Flange system is used for pipes of sizes ranging from ½” to 8” (Sch 10 upto Sch 80). The flanges come in Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel 316L material.
Pressure Ratings
37° Flare Flange System can take pressures upto 6000 psi / 420 bar based on the pipe size and thickness.
Flange Standards
37° Flare Flange comes in SAE Code 61 (ISO 6162-1), SAE Code 62 (ISO 6162-2), ISO 6164 and also TMI® 8-bolt and 9-bolt proprietary flange standard.
Benefits of 37° Flare Flange System
- Unlike welded flanges, Tube-Mac® flare flanges rotate freely around the pipe for easy bolt alignment.
- The flaring and installation time is measured in minutes versus hours for a welded connection.
- The non-welded flare flange technology is clean, preventing contamination from being introduced into the piping systems.
- The flare flange system is a fast and clean solution for connecting pipes, requiring less time to commission and oil flush the system.
- The non-welded leak-free flange connection offers a significantly reduced overall installed cost when compared to a welded piping system
Certifications
Compliance – Fully complies with ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3
Rigorous Tests Passed – Impulse & Vibration Test, Flange Pull Out Test
Applications
FAQ'S
What is the Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System?
The Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System is a non-welded pipe connection technology that joins pipes using 37° flared pipe ends, specially designed flange components, cone inserts and sealing rings. It provides a secure connection for hydraulic and industrial piping systems without requiring conventional welding at the joint.
Is there a specific tube requirement for 37° Flare Flange System?
For carbon steel pipes/tubes, flaring can be performed on pipes conforming to DIN 2391C / EN 10305-4 standards. For stainless steel pipes/tubes, flaring is suitable for most standards, provided the pipe is seamless.
How does the Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System work?
The pipe ends are prepared and flared to 37° using a dedicated flaring machine. Cone inserts are positioned inside the flared ends, and the flanges are bolted together to bring the mating components into contact and create a sealed connection.
What is the maximum pressure rating of the Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System?
Tube-Mac® offers 37° Flare Flange connections rated for pressures up to 6,000 PSI (420 bar), depending on pipe size and the selected flange configuration. The applicable pressure rating must be verified against the manufacturer’s technical catalogue for the specific assembly.
Is 37° Flare Flange System globally accepted?
Yes. The 37° Flare Flange System is widely used worldwide in steel mills, shipbuilding, offshore rigs, automotive testing laboratories, aerospace laboratories, locomotive testing facilities, and other industrial applications. The system is also type-approved by leading classification societies, including ABS, DNV, LR, and CCS, providing strong evidence of its technical reliability and global acceptance.
In which materials is the 37° Flare Flange System available?
The 37° Flare Flange System is available with components manufactured in Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel (SS 316), offering suitability for a wide range of hydraulic and industrial applications.
What are the advantages of using a 37° Flare Flange System over welded piping?
The system eliminates welding at the flare flange connection, reduces installation time and helps minimize contamination associated with welding operations. Its freely rotating flanges simplify bolt alignment, while reduced fabrication, cleaning and commissioning requirements can lower overall installed costs.
Does the 37° Flare Flange System comform to ASME specifications?
Yes. The 37° Flare Flange System conforms to the requirements of ASME B31.1 (Power Piping) and ASME B31.3 (Process Piping).
In which size systems is the 37° Flare Flange System available?
The 37° Flare Flange Sysytem is available in NPS (Nominal Pipe Size) and the Metric Size Standard.
Why are there two non-welded flange systems — 37° Flare Flange and Retain Ring Flange?
The 37° Flare Flange and Retain Ring Flange Systems are complementary solutions, with selection mainly depending on the pipe size, wall thickness, pipe specification, and application requirements. Where both systems are suitable, factors such as ease and speed of installation can influence the choice. The main difference lies in how the pipe ends are prepared and how the sealing components are arranged. In the 37° Flare Flange System, the flange is positioned on the pipe and the pipe end is flared to 37°, with an O-ring face seal and flat-face cone providing the sealing interface. In the Retain Ring Flange System, the pipe end is faced square and an annular groove is machined near the end to accommodate a retain ring, which holds the flange in position; sealing is achieved using an O-ring seal retainer with O-rings on both sides. The 37° Flare Flange System is primarily suited to Sch 80 and lighter wall thicknesses, although some sizes can accommodate Sch 160. The Retain Ring System is generally used with Sch 160 and heavier-wall pipes, where the groove can be machined while maintaining the required connection integrity. Another practical difference is that Retain Ring Flanges can be removed after installation, whereas a flared connection is not readily removable from the pipe.
Which industries use the Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System?
The system is suitable for industrial piping applications across sectors such as:
Oil and gas, refineries and offshore facilities
Steel and metal processing plants
Mining and heavy industrial equipment
Automotive testing and simulation facilities
Hydraulic power units and industrial machinery
Marine and shipbuilding applications
The final suitability depends on the operating conditions, conveyed medium and applicable project specifications.
Does the Tube-Mac® 37° Flare Flange System require welding?
No. The 37° Flare Flange connection is assembled without welding at the joint. The pipe end is mechanically flared, and the connection is completed by fitting the cone inserts and bolting the flanges together, reducing the need for welding-related hot work during installation.
Does the system require special installation equipment?
Yes. A dedicated flaring machine, appropriate dies and a flaring cone are required to form the pipe ends correctly. The pipe must be cut square, deburred, cleaned and inspected before assembly. Bolts must then be tightened in the specified cross-over sequence and to the manufacturer’s recommended torque values.
How does the 37° Flare Flange System help reduce installation time?
The connection can be fabricated and assembled in minutes rather than requiring the multiple stages associated with conventional welded joints. Eliminating welding, weld inspection and associated cleaning operations can shorten project schedules, while prefabricated piping assemblies can further simplify on-site installation.
What is the difference between a 37° Flare Flange and a Retain Ring Flange System?
Both are Tube-Mac® non-welded piping technologies, but they use different pipe-end preparation methods and are suited to different piping requirements.
37° Flare Flange: Uses flared pipe ends and cone inserts; particularly useful for suitable thin-walled piping.
Retain Ring Flange: Uses machined pipe ends and an external retaining ring seated in a groove; suitable configurations include heavy-wall pipes and demanding high-pressure applications.
The appropriate system depends on pipe wall thickness, pressure, diameter and application requirements.