Technical knowledge
ASTM B564 explained: what the flange material specification actually covers
What ASTM B564 covers, which UNS numbers it includes, how it relates to ASME B16.5 and B16.47, and the supplementary requirements you should state when ordering nickel alloy flanges.
Scope: material, not dimensions
The most common purchasing error is treating ASTM B564 as a complete flange specification. It is not. B564 tells you what the metal must be; ASME B16.5 tells you what shape it must be; ASME B16.20 covers the gasket; MSS SP-25 covers the marking. A flange can comply with all of these and still be wrong for the service if the heat treatment condition, NDT scope or hardness limit was never stated.
Common UNS numbers covered
| UNS number | Common name | Typical duty |
|---|---|---|
| N06625 | Inconel 625 | Seawater, sour, FGD, offshore |
| N08825 | Incoloy 825 | Sulphuric and phosphoric acid |
| N10276 | Hastelloy C-276 | Mixed and reducing acids |
| N06022 | Hastelloy C-22 | Oxidising contaminated acids |
| N04400 | Monel 400 | Seawater, hydrofluoric acid |
| N05500 | Monel K-500 | High strength marine |
| N06600 | Inconel 600 | Caustic, elevated temperature |
| N07718 | Inconel 718 | High strength and bolting |
| N02200 / N02201 | Nickel 200 / 201 | Caustic service |
Supplementary requirements worth stating
- Heat treatment condition. Solution annealed, annealed, or aged. This is the single most consequential line on the order.
- Hardness limit. Required for sour service and for ring type joint grooves.
- Non destructive examination. Ultrasonic testing of the forging, dye penetrant on machined surfaces.
- Grain size or impact testing. Needed for elevated temperature grades and for low temperature service.
- Corrosion testing. Intergranular or pitting tests where the service justifies it.
- Positive material identification. Specify the coverage percentage.
Documentation and traceability
Require a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 quoting actual results for the heat lot, with the heat number shown on the certificate and marked on the flange to MSS SP-25. Where the owner, EPC or regulator requires independent verification, arrange inspection, sampling and laboratory testing by SGS and issue the resulting third party test report with the shipment.
Questions about this topic
Is ASTM B564 the same as ASME SB-564?
They are essentially the same specification, with the ASME SB designation used for boiler and pressure vessel code work. Confirm which designation your governing code requires and quote it consistently on the order.
Does B564 cover the flange dimensions?
No. Dimensions, facing, bolt circle and pressure class come from ASME B16.5 for sizes up to NPS 24 and ASME B16.47 for larger sizes. Always name both documents.
Can I order B564 flanges without stating heat treatment?
You can, but you should not. The supplier will ship the default condition, which may not be the one your design assumed. Always state the condition and require the heat treatment chart.
Questions about our products
What products does Hangbo Alloy supply?
Four product families, all available in nickel-based alloys, titanium, duplex and special stainless steel: flanges, butt weld pipe fittings, elbows, and seamless tube and pipe. Flanges cover weld neck, long weld neck, slip-on, blind, socket weld, threaded and lap joint patterns. Fittings and elbows cover concentric and eccentric reducers, equal and reducing tees, caps, stub ends, and 45°, 90° and 180° returns in both long and short radius, plus 3D and 5D bends for piggable lines. Seamless tube and pipe is supplied cold drawn or hot finished from 6 mm to 630 mm outside diameter.
Which alloy grades are available for these products?
More than 90 grades are published in our grade library. The most requested are Inconel 625, 718, 600 and X-750, Hastelloy C-276, C-22 and B-2, Monel 400 and K-500, Incoloy 800H, 825 and 925, duplex 2205 and super duplex 2507, 316L, 904L and 254SMO stainless steel, and titanium Grade 2 and Grade 5. Nickel-based grades can also be supplied with VIM plus ESR double melting where cleanliness or fatigue life is critical.
What sizes, wall thicknesses and pressure classes can you supply?
Flanges run from NPS ½ to NPS 24 to ASME B16.5 and from NPS 26 to NPS 60 to ASME B16.47 Series A or B, in pressure classes 150 through 2500. Butt weld fittings and elbows run from NPS ½ to NPS 48 (DN 15 to DN 1200) in wall thickness Schedule 5S through XXS. Seamless tube and pipe covers 6 mm to 630 mm outside diameter, in random lengths of about 5 to 7 metres or fixed lengths up to 12 metres. Non-standard and intermediate sizes are quoted on request.
Which material and dimensional standards do you work to?
Forged flanges to ASTM B564, B381 and A182 with dimensions to ASME B16.5 and ASME B16.47. Butt weld fittings and elbows to ASTM B366 and A403 with dimensions to ASME B16.9 and MSS SP-43. Seamless tube and pipe to ASTM B444, B423, B622, B163, B167, B861, A312, A213 and A790. Marking follows MSS SP-25 and the applicable product standard. If your project is governed by EN, DIN, JIS or a company specification, send the document and we will confirm equivalence before quoting.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
There is no minimum for standard sizes and grades held in stock, and prototypes, spares and small trial batches are accepted. Made-to-order melts and special forgings carry a minimum weight that depends on the alloy and the route, typically from about 500 kg for special grades.
What inspection and certification is issued with the goods?
Every shipment carries an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate quoting the actual chemical and mechanical results for the specific heat lot, together with dimensional records and heat treatment data where applicable. Testing is carried out in house by optical emission spectrometry, tensile, impact and hardness testing, plus ultrasonic and eddy current examination, with hydrostatic pressure and intergranular corrosion testing to ASTM G28 or A262 Practice E where the specification requires it. Third party inspection by SGS or another recognised agency can be arranged, and their report is issued alongside the shipment.
What are typical lead times?
Standard stock items ship within days. Common production grades such as Inconel 625 or duplex 2205 are typically a few weeks. Special chemistries, larger forgings and items that require third party inspection take longer and are quoted individually against the requirement.
How are the products packed for export?
Flanges and fittings receive a rust preventive coating, are individually wrapped and are packed in plywood cases secured with steel banding. Tube ends are capped and bundles are strapped. Packing lists quote heat numbers so every case can be cross-checked against the mill certificate on arrival. We quote EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP, and mixed-alloy orders can be consolidated into one shipment with a single documentation package.
How do I request a quotation or a sample?
Send the grade or UNS number, the dimensions including schedule or wall thickness, the governing material and dimensional standards, quantity, any heat treatment or NDT scope and the certificate type you need; a drawing is ideal for special flanges and fittings. Email demi@nickel-alloy.com or message us on WhatsApp +86 15618279078 and we normally issue a formal quotation within 24 hours on working days. Samples and previous test reports can be arranged before the first order.
Talk to an engineer
Share your duty conditions and we will shortlist candidate alloys within one working day.