Good Mid-Range Corrosion Resistant Alloy 

• Mid-range corrosion resistant alloy
• Decent mechanical strength to 1000°F
• Alloy 20 chemistry and specifications  
• Alloy 20 sulfric acid performance
• Socket weld flange features & benefits
• Alloy 20 Datasheet

Also known as Carpenter 20 and 20CB-3, Alloy 20 socket weld flanges offer users a combination of nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and copper which provides good general corrosion resistance. Alloy 20 socket weld flanges are best suited for mid-range corrosion use – better than steel alloys but not at the level of high performance nickel based alloys like Hastelloy C276. Alloy 20 is a nickel alloy that was initially designed to withstand the harsh environment of hot sulfuric acid but also performs well in a variety of other acids. Alloy 20 socket weld flanges are an ideal choice when you don’t need the corrosion resistance power and price-tag of high performance nickel alloys like Hastelloy C276; but you need something that will give you more protection than 316 stainless steel or even a Super Duplex 2507 stainless steel.

Corrosion Resistance
Alloy 20 socket weld flanges provide good performance in hot sulfuric acid, specifically they offer good resistance to stress-corrosion cracking in boiling sulfuric acid at specific range of 20% to 40% concentration, as well as general sulfuric acid resistance. Alloy 20 offers solid acid protection and will perform better than Duplex or even Monel, but for high temperature and high concentration acids, you may need to look to Inconel or Hastelloy fasteners. In addition, Alloy 20 socket weld flanges also show useful resistance to phosphoric acid and nitric acid.

Key Corrosion Resistant Features:

• Good sulfuric acid protection at 20% - 40%
• Decent stress corrosion cracking, pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride
• Resonable general corrosion protection
• Good intergranular corrosion resistance in the as-welded condition

Mechanical Properties
o  Ultimate tensile strength: 80 ksi
o  Yield strength: 35 ksi
o  Density: 0.292 lb/in.3
o  Electrical Resistivity (RT) 651 ohm-cir mil/ft
o  Elongation: 30%

Temperature
In addition to their corrosion resistance, Alloy 20 socket weld flanges also perform well at moderately high temperatures, with the ability to maintain their mechanical strength up to 1000°F.

Welding
Alloy 20 socket weld flanges are stabilized with Columbium to minimize carbide precipitation during welding. In addition it offers intergranular corrosion resistance in the as-welded condition.

Applications
o  Power plants rely on alloy 20 socket weld flanges for flue-gas desulfurization
o  Alloy 20 socket weld flanges are used to connect heat exchangers, mixing tanks, metal cleaning equipment, pickling tanks and racks, and piping in mid-range corrosive chemcial processing environments.
o  Alloy 20 socket weld flanges help solve corrosion issues in food and dye production.
o  Manufacturers of plastics and synthetic rubber also utilize alloy 20 fasteners.

Resources: Alloy 20 Torque Specs, Flange Dimensions, Flange Bolting Chart

Flange Types Available: Blind Flanges, Lapped Joint Flanges, Slip On Flanges, Socket Weld Flanges, Threaded Flanges, Weld Neck Flanges

Alloy 20 Chemistry & Specifications

Alloy 20 Specifications: UNS N08020, ASME SA240, , ASME SB366, ASME SB462, ASME SB463, ASME SB464,  ASME SB473, ASME SB729, ASTM A240, ASTM B366, ASTM B463, ASTM B464, ASTM B473, ASTM B729, ASTM BB462, ANSI/ASTM A555-79, EN 2.4660, , Werkstoff 2.4660, CN7M, DIN 2.4660

Alloy 20 Sulfuric Acid Performance

Alloy 20 Sulfuric Acid Comparison

Socket Weld Flange Features & Benefits

Similar to a slip on flange, an Alloy 20 socket weld flange has an added shoulder inside the bore hole. The socket weld flange is designed so that a pipe can be inserted into the socket of the flange until it hits the shoulder of the socket. The pipe is then backed away from the shoulder approximately 1/16 inches before being welded to the flange hub. This internal weld provides this type of flange added strength. In addition, by grinding the internal weld smooth, turbulence and flow restriction are minimized. Alloy 20 socket weld flanges are most commonly used on small diameter applications (1/2" through 4") and high pressure piping systems.

Socket Weld Flange Benefits

• Best for small size, high pressure applications
• Static strength equal to a slip on flange yet boasts a fatigue strength 1.5 times that of the slip on design
• Employs both a backside hub weld and an internal shoulder weld for increased strength
• Socket weld flanges delivers a lower risk of leakage than threaded flanges
• Socket weld pipes do not have to be beveled for weld preparation
• Butt-welded joints are easily fitted and no special machining

Socket Weld Flange Disadvantages

• The expansion gap and internal crevices left in socket welded systems can promote crevice corrosion.
• Socket weld flanges have two welds which makes them stronger yet more labor intensive to install. Due to the increased welding, it has become the practice to weld only at the hub of the flange, which is not recommended.

Installation Tips
The socket weld pipe fittings should allow for expansion gap of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) between pipe and the shoulder of the socket.