SS 304L Socket Weld FlangeASTM A182 · ASME B16.5 · Manufacturer, stockist & exporter, India
AISI 304L · UNS S30403 · SWRF
An SS 304L socket weld flange is a flange with a counterbore socket into which the pipe is inserted and fillet-welded, made from SS 304L to ASTM A182 F304L. Socket weld flanges suit small-bore, high-pressure lines, usually 2" and under. A 1.6 mm (1/16") expansion gap is left at the bottom of the socket before welding.
- ASTM A182
- ASME B16.5
- EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2
- Export packing
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is an SS 304L Socket Weld Flange?
- What it is
- A flange with a counterbore socket into which the pipe is inserted and fillet-welded
- Material
- ASTM A182 F304L
- Dimensions
- ASME B16.5
- Grade
- SS 304L · UNS S30403
- Best at
- Welded tanks, piping and vessels in general corrosive service
SS 304L Socket Weld Flange Specification
| Product | SS 304L Socket Weld Flange |
|---|---|
| Material standard | ASTM A182 F304L |
| Dimensional standard | ASME B16.5 |
| Sizes | ½" – 24" (ASME B16.5) · 26" – 60" (ASME B16.47) |
| Pressure class | Class 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 · PN 6 – PN 100 |
| Facing | RF · FF · RTJ · tongue & groove |
| Bore | To match pipe schedule (state on order) |
| Testing | PMI · dimensional · NDT and IGC on request |
| Documents | EN 10204 3.1 · 3.2 with third-party inspection |
When to Choose a Socket Weld Flange
Socket weld flanges suit small-bore, high-pressure lines, usually 2" and under. A 1.6 mm (1/16") expansion gap is left at the bottom of the socket before welding.
- Leave a 1.6 mm gap before welding
- Not recommended where crevice corrosion is a concern
- Bore to match pipe schedule
More on choosing: Socket weld flange guide.
SS 304L Socket Weld Flange: Why 304L for socket weld flanges
Socket weld flanges suit small-bore, high-pressure lines, usually 2" and under. A 1.6 mm (1/16") expansion gap is left at the bottom of the socket before welding. In SS 304L, the choice usually comes down to the medium and temperature — the rows here are the points buyers check for this exact combination.
| Why this grade | Stainless flanges are chosen where carbon steel would rust or contaminate the process. SS 304L is picked for welded tanks, piping and vessels in general corrosive service. |
|---|---|
| Typical service | Process piping — Welded lines in chemical and pharma plants. |
| B16.5 material group | 2.3 |
| Bolting | ASTM A193 B8 studs with A194 8 nuts |
| Welding to carbon steel | ER309L (or E309L electrode) is the usual filler when joining it to carbon steel |
| Matching filler | ER308L (AWS A5.9) |
SS 304L Socket Weld Flange Chemical Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Chromium | 17.5 – 19.5 |
| Nickel | 8.0 – 12.0 |
| Carbon | 0.030 max |
| Manganese | 2.00 max |
| Silicon | 0.75 max |
| Nitrogen | 0.10 max |
| Phosphorus | 0.045 max |
| Sulphur | 0.030 max |
SS 304L Socket Weld Flange Mechanical Properties
| Annealed plate & sheet | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 485 MPa · 70 ksi |
| Yield strength 0.2% | 170 MPa · 25 ksi |
| Elongation | 40% |
| Hardness | 201 HB max |
Full chemistry, properties and equivalents are on the SS 304L grade page.
Other SS 304L flanges
SS 304L Socket Weld Flanges for export
FOB / CIF · Nhava Sheva (JNPT), MumbaiSS 304L Socket Weld Flange dimensions — ASME B16.5 Class 150 & 300
Outside diameter, thickness and bolting are set by size and class. Values in mm; thickness excludes the 1.6 mm raised face.
| NPS | Cl 150 OD | Cl 150 thickness | Cl 150 bolt circle | Cl 150 bolts | Cl 300 OD | Cl 300 thickness | Cl 300 bolt circle | Cl 300 bolts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½" | 90 | 9.6 | 60.3 | 4 × ½" | 95 | 12.7 | 66.7 | 4 × ½" |
| 1" | 110 | 12.7 | 79.4 | 4 × ½" | 125 | 15.9 | 88.9 | 4 × ⅝" |
| 1½" | 125 | 15.9 | 98.4 | 4 × ½" | 155 | 19.1 | 114.3 | 4 × ¾" |
| 2" | 150 | 17.5 | 120.7 | 4 × ⅝" | 165 | 20.7 | 127.0 | 8 × ⅝" |
| 3" | 190 | 22.3 | 152.4 | 4 × ⅝" | 210 | 27.0 | 168.3 | 8 × ¾" |
| 4" | 230 | 22.3 | 190.5 | 8 × ⅝" | 255 | 30.2 | 200.0 | 8 × ¾" |
| 6" | 280 | 23.9 | 241.3 | 8 × ¾" | 320 | 35.0 | 269.9 | 12 × ¾" |
| 8" | 345 | 27.0 | 298.5 | 8 × ¾" | 380 | 39.7 | 330.2 | 12 × ⅞" |
| 10" | 405 | 28.6 | 362.0 | 12 × ⅞" | 445 | 46.1 | 387.4 | 16 × 1" |
| 12" | 485 | 30.2 | 431.8 | 12 × ⅞" | 520 | 49.3 | 450.8 | 16 × 1⅛" |
Full chart: ASME B16.5 flange dimensions.
SS 304L Socket Weld Flange — questions buyers ask
Why leave a gap in a socket weld?
The gap lets the pipe expand during welding without cracking the fillet weld. ASME B31.3 requires it.
What pressure rating does a SS 304L socket weld flange have?
It depends on class and temperature. SS 304L forgings are in ASME B16.5 material group 2.3; read your class column in that group's table at the design temperature.
Can SS 304L socket weld flanges be welded to carbon steel?
Yes — ER309L (or E309L electrode) is the usual filler when joining it to carbon steel.
Which standard covers SS 304L socket weld flanges?
The material is ASTM A182 F304L; dimensions follow ASME B16.5. Always state both on your purchase order, with the edition if your project specifies one.
What decides the price of a SS 304L socket weld flange?
The alloy price, the size and pressure class, quantity, and the testing and documents required. Send your list and we quote the same working day.
What documents do you supply?
EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates as standard, 3.2 with third-party inspection on request, plus dimensional and PMI reports.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026