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LAP JOINT FLANGES are primarily employed with lap joint stubs, the combined initial
cost of the two items being approximately one-third higher than that of comparable
welding neck flanges. Their pressure-holding ability is little, if any, better than
that of slip-on flanges and the fatigue life of the assembly is only one-tenth that of
welding neck flanges. The chief use of lap joint flanges in carbon or low alloy steel
piping systems is in services necessitating frequent dismantling for inspection and
cleaning and where the ability to swivel flanges and to align bolt holes materially
simplifies the erection of large diameter or unusually stiff piping. Their use at
points where severe bending stress occurs should be avoided.
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