
NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliant Blind Flanges (BL, BLRF, BLFF) are solid, un-bored forged piping discs specifically metallurgical-processed and tested to prevent Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC), Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC), and Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC) in sour oil and gas upstream and refining environments containing hydrogen sulfide ($text{H}_2text{S}$).
Because blind flanges absorb complete bending moments and full internal line pressure across their entire center surface, NACE MR0175 enforces strict metallurgical thresholds:
Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels (ASTM A105, A350 LF2, A694): Maximum allowable hardness is 22 HRC ($le 187text{ HBW}$).
Austenitic Stainless Steels (304/304L, 316/316L): Solution annealed condition with maximum hardness typically capped at 22 HRC ($le 200text{ HBW}$).
Duplex Stainless Steels (2205 / F51): Solution annealed with ferrite content maintained between $35text{--}55%$ and maximum hardness of 28 HRC ($le 290text{ HBW}$).
Carbon steel forgings must undergo full Normalization (A105N / A350 LF2), Normalizing and Tempering, or Quenching and Tempering to eliminate residual stresses from forging and machining.
Sulfur Limits: Typically restricted to $text{S} le 0.010%$ (or $le 0.005%$ for critical sour service) to prevent manganese sulfide stringers that initiate Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC).
Carbon Equivalent (CE): Kept below $0.43%$ for carbon steels to ensure weldability and prevent hard spots.
| Acronym | Type Designation | Sealing Surface Profile | Key Service Application |
| BL | Blind Flange | Generic term for solid un-bored flange disc. | System terminations, vessel nozzles, hydro-test blanks. |
| BLRF | Blind Raised Face | Raised contact area ($1.6text{ mm}$ or $6.4text{ mm}$) with spiral serrations ($125text{--}250text{ AARH}$). | Class 150 to Class 600 sour oil/gas lines using spiral wound gaskets with NACE-compliant inner/outer rings. |
| BLFF | Blind Flat Face | Flat surface across the full face without a raised step. | Mating against cast iron equipment, flat-faced valves, or low-pressure flat gaskets to prevent flange cracking during torquing. |
| BLRTJ | Blind Ring Type Joint | Machined annular metallic groove housing an oval or octagonal solid ring gasket. | High-pressure sour service (Class 600 through Class 2500, and API 6A 5K15K PSI). |
ASME B16.5: Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings ($text{NPS } 1/2 text{ to } 24$, Class 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500).
ASME B16.47 Series A & B: Large Diameter Steel Flanges ($text{NPS } 26 text{ to } 60$).
NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156: Parts 1, 2 (Carbon/Low-Alloy Steels), and 3 (Corrosion-Resistant Alloys).
NACE MR0103 / ISO 17945: Materials resistant to sulfide stress cracking in oil refining environments (downstream processing).
| Material Grade | Specification | Temperature & Environment Suitability |
| Normalized Carbon Steel | ASTM A105N | Ambient sour lines down to $-29^circtext{C}$ with max 22 HRC. |
| Low-Temp Carbon Steel | ASTM A350 LF2 Class 1 | Cold-climate / cryogenic sour service down to $-46^circtext{C}$. |
| High-Yield Carbon Steel | ASTM A694 F52 / F60 / F65 | High-pressure sour gas transmission pipelines. |
| Stainless Steel 316 / 316L | ASTM A182 F316 / F316L | Chloride and $text{H}_2text{S}$ environments; highly resistant to pitting. |
| Duplex / Super Duplex | ASTM A182 F51 / F53 | Extreme offshore sour service, high chloride, and high strength. |
| Nickel Alloy | ASTM A182 F44 / Inconel 625 | Extreme acid gas, high partial pressure $text{H}_2text{S}$ service. |
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