A Recent Large-Format Titanium Flange Project
Baoji Lihua Non-ferrous Metal Co., Ltd. recently completed export preparation for a batch of oversized titanium weld neck flanges for an Indonesian customer.
The largest item measured approximately 2.2 m in outside diameter. This type of project requires more than large-format machining. The supplier must coordinate the drawing, titanium material, bolt-hole pattern, inspection points, product marking, lifting method, surface protection, and export packing as one delivery plan.
What Makes an Oversized Titanium Flange Difficult to Supply?
A large flange is a precision connection component, not simply a larger ring. The flange face, bore, neck, and circumferential bolt holes need to maintain the required dimensional relationship. The customer also needs the finished surface and sealing areas to arrive without damage. Flatness, concentricity, bolt-hole position, and surface condition can all affect installation at the project site.
Original project photo: large flange geometry and bolt-hole pattern
The larger the component, the more important the handling plan becomes. Support, lifting, turning, internal movement, and crate loading must be considered before the product is finished.
Representative Product Data
The product markings for this project included ASME SB381-F2. Two representative flange markings showed approximately:
OD 2218 mm x ID 2030 mm x T178 mm
OD 2114 mm x ID 1988 mm x T215 mm
Original project photo: product marking with dimensions and ASME SB381-F2
The exact product data remains subject to the approved drawing and project documentation. For a quotation, the drawing and final technical requirements should be used as the controlling documents.
How Lihua Organizes the Manufacturing Work
Step 1: Confirm the Drawing Before Machining
The technical review covers dimensions, tolerances, neck geometry, bolt-hole layout, sealing face, surface finish, marking, and inspection requirements. For large-format parts, the team also checks lifting positions, temporary supports, measurement access, machining allowance, and possible deformation during production or handling.
Step 2: Match the Material to the Records
The titanium grade, material certificate, heat number, and batch information need to stay connected to the product through production and inspection.
A project may also require PMI/XRF verification. This rapid surface test helps confirm that the physical product corresponds to the specified material grade and reduces the risk of material mix-up. It is an additional check, not a replacement for the MTC or required mechanical tests.
Step 3: Machine the Critical Areas
Depending on the starting material and design, the route may include forging, ring processing, heat treatment, and pre-machining. Large CNC equipment is then used for the flange face, bore, neck, outside diameter, and bolt holes.
Original project photo repeated: large-scale machining and finished surfaces
The key machining controls include fixture stability, tool condition, cutting heat, machining allowance, and measurement datums. These details help control the stability of a large ring during processing.
Step 4: Inspect Before Packing
The inspection plan may include outside diameter, inside diameter, thickness, neck dimensions, bolt-hole positions, flatness, concentricity, parallelism, sealing face, and visual condition. Where required by the order or technical specification, additional non-destructive testing such as UT can be arranged.
PMI/XRF Verification in the Project Record
The project photos show a handheld XRF/PMI instrument being used on the titanium flange.
Original project photo: PMI/XRF verification on the marked titanium flange
A usable project quality file should connect the product marking with:
- Material grade
- Surface marking
- MTC material certificate
- Heat number or batch information
- PMI/XRF inspection record
- Dimensional and visual inspection record
This documentation helps the buyer organize receiving inspection and maintain traceability for the equipment project.
Export Packing for a Large Titanium Component
For this Indonesia shipment, the oversized flanges were prepared in wooden export crates.
Original project photo: wooden export crates and lifting preparation
The packaging is part of the product delivery. Internal supports must control the load, while the sealing face, bore, bolt holes, and machined surfaces need protection from impact, dust, moisture, and unnecessary friction.
Large titanium flange delivery therefore covers the complete chain from manufacturing and inspection to lifting, crating, and export preparation.
