Nickel plated flanges are steel or alloy flanges with a nickel-based coating on top. It is applied to improve surface performance and protect the base metal (which can be carbon steel and mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, copper, and others). Electroless nickel is the preferred type of coating in many industrial applications because it deposits without electrical current and follows the part’s geometry evenly. A nickel coating helps maintain consistent thickness across faces, edges, and recessed features where uniform coverage matters most.
Electroless nickel plates without electrical current, so it does not “crowd” onto edges the way conventional electroplating can. The coating follows contours closely and helps sharp edges and blind features receive comparable thickness. The coating is useful when the geometry of a flange is complex and consistent coverage is necessary.
Most commercial electroless nickel is deposited from an acid phosphorus bath because of its unique physical characteristics. These include excellent corrosion resistance, wear and abrasion resistance, ductility, lubricity, solderability, electrical properties, and high hardness.
Nickel plating is a hard, reflective, yellowish-white finish which is commonly used for wear resistance, solderability, and dimensional restoration. It is also often used over copper and under chromium for a decorative finish, when appearance is part of the requirement.
| Type | Best known for | Common use intent |
|---|---|---|
| Low Phos | Produces a hard deposit that can approach hard chrome, and it achieves hardness without requiring heat treatment. Often compared to boron electroless nickel. | Selected primarily for hardness and wear performance (wear-driven applications). |
| Mid Phos | The most commonly used electroless nickel deposit. Known for a bright, uniform appearance. | Commonly used in decorative finishes and electronic applications. |
| High Phos | Forms compressively stressed deposits with strong adhesion and good ductility, along with excellent corrosion resistance. | Chosen when corrosion resistance is the top priority. |
When you order nickel plated flanges, the biggest spec decision is typically electroless nickel phosphorus level. Electroless nickel is deposited without electrical current and is known for consistent coverage across complex shapes and internal features.
Coating type: Electroless nickel (EN) vs. electrolytic nickel (if applicable)
Phosphorus level: Low / Mid / High (see table)
Intent: Wear-driven, decorative/electronic appearance, or corrosion-driven selection
Forming after plating: If parts may see bending/heat shock, avoid calling for bright nickel (see note below)
If the part may be bent or crimped after plating, it’s usually better not to specify bright nickel. Brighteners can increase stress in the coating and reduce ductility. In these cases, a Watts nickel deposit (nickel sulfate with little or no brighteners) is commonly used instead. It produces a semi-bright, satin-like finish and is more ductile, which helps reduce the risk of the coating cracking or flaking, especially if minor bending or heat shock is expected.
Used on flanged joints where service conditions are harsh (corrosion + abrasion risk) and where consistent plated coverage across faces/edges helps protect sealing and bolt-up surfaces.
Selected where exposure to salt water / salt spray drives corrosion risk.
Used in chemical processing applications where equipment faces continuous chemical exposure (performance depends on deposit chemistry such as phosphorus content).
Used on flanges in areas with disinfectants/chemicals or corrosive atmospheres where additional corrosion protection and surface durability are specified for long service life.
Specified on flanged joints in plant piping (cooling water, auxiliary lines, general utility service) when corrosion + wear resistance and repeatable sealing surfaces are needed.
Slides over the pipe and is welded at both the inner and outer diameters. Easier to install and align than weld neck, but suited for moderate pressure systems.
Solid flange with no bore, used to seal the end of a pipe system or pressure vessel. Allows easy access for inspection or future expansion.
Designed with a long tapered hub that is welded to the pipe, providing excellent strength and stress distribution. Ideal for high-pressure and high-temperature applications.
Has a socket to insert the pipe before welding. Provides good flow characteristics and is used in small-bore, high-pressure lines.
Features internal threads to connect with externally threaded pipes without welding. Common in low-pressure and non-critical applications.
Used with a stub end fitting. The flange itself does not touch the process fluid and can rotate around the pipe, making alignment and assembly easier.
Nickel plating upgrades the flange surface for wear and corrosion resistance, and can also be specified for solderability or dimensional restoration depending on the application.
Electroless nickel deposits without electrical current, producing a coating that follows contours and can plate evenly across recesses and blind features where uniform thickness is important.
Low Phos is selected mainly for hardness and wear; Mid Phos is the most common with a bright uniform appearance; High Phos emphasizes adhesion, ductility, and superior corrosion resistance.
To order nickel plated flanges from API International, determine your required pipe size, pressure class, material, and any special standards (such as ASME B16.5). Contact API International’s experienced team and we will help you select the right flange for your application.
• Custom Bolt Holes, Overbore, Counterbore, Tapped, Welds, O-ring Grooves, Threads, Special Serrations, Bevels, Chamfers
• Metric Parallel, Metric Tapered, Parallel (BSPP), Taper Thread (BSPT), UN/UNF/UNC Thread, NPT (National Pipe Thread)
• MWD
• Contact API’s engineering department for exact specifications and tolerances.
Plastic: Delrin, POM, Lexan, Nylon 66, Nylon 6, PEEK, PP, PE, Acetal
Rubber: EPDM, Neoprene, Buna-N, Viton
Aluminum: A2011, A2024, A2017, A5052, A5056, A6061, A6063, A6463, A6082, A7075
Copper: 3600, 3604, 3771
Titanium: 1-28
Steel Series:
• Ductile Iron: ASTM A536
• Carbon/Mild Steel: A105, A36, A516-70, A572-50, etc.
• Stainless Steel:
- 300 Series – 303, 304, 304L, 316, 316L
- 400 Series – 420J2, 430, 434, 442
Special Metals: Hastelloy, Inconel, Incoloy, Duplex 2205, Super Duplex 2507, Chrome Steel, alloys, or their equivalents
Stock Finish, Spiral Serrated (Phonographic), Concentric Serrated, Smooth Finish, Cold Water Finish, MWD, Phonographic
Dipped, Nickel Plating, Zinc Plating (clear, yellow, black, red, blue), Super Agitine, Powder, Painted, Galvanized, Epoxy, Lacquer
Water/Wastewater, Irrigation, Agriculture, HVAC, Marine, Exhaust, Mining, Energy/Power Generation/Oil
• Forged:
- Ring Rolling:
• Materials: Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Duplex
• Size: 2–202”
• Cast:
- Centrifugal Casting (Industrial):
• Material: Stainless Steel
- Continuous Casting:
• Material: Stainless Steel
- Sand Casting:
• Material: A536, Stainless Steel, Ductile Iron
- Investment/Lost-Wax/Precision Casting
• Material: Stainless Steel
Machining: Milling, Turning, Facing, Boring, Drilling, Tapping, Counter Sinking, Laser Cutting, Water Jet, Plasma Cutting
| Products | Type | Materials | Size Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flanges | Flat-Face, Raised-Face, & Plate: Slip-On/Ring Weld, Neck, Blind, Socket Weld, Orifice, Reducing, Threaded | See Materials List | 5–202″ |
| Gaskets | Molded, Extruded, sheet | EPDM, Buna-N, NBR, Non-Asbestos (GNA), Red Rubber (GRR), Viton | 5–60″ |
| Screens For Filters | Basket Screens and Cone Screens (Perforated, Mesh) | Galv. Carbon Steel, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel | 6”D x 8’-H |
| Rings | Exhaust Rings (Marmon Flanges for DPF Filters) | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum | 1–16” |
| Seamless Rolled Rings | Forged | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum | 1–165” |
| Square Hole Rings | Repair Couplers | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Galvanized, Epoxy Coated | 3–32” |
| Fabricated Assemblies | Weldments, Pipe Spools, Valve Bodies, Silencer Housings | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel | 2–24” |
| Long/Short Radius Elbows | EN 10253-2–S235, P235GH–P265GH–P265NL and ASTM A234, WPB, WPC/ A420 WPL6, WPL3/ A860 WPHY52/ ASTM A234 WP11, WP22, WP5, WP9–16Mo3 | 304L & 316L Stainless Steel | (45° & 90°): OD: 21.3mm (1/2”)–3048mm (120”) WT: Up to SCH. XXS/160 |
| Miscellaneous | Tubesheets / Diffuser Plates / Baffles / Ferrules / Sleeves / Pins | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Duplex | 5–104” |
Who we are
API International is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of flanges, expansion joints, valves, other pipe fittings and custom fabricated parts. We offer a wide variety of AIS & imported flanges along with other industrial pipe fitting and accessories. Customers turn to us when they need quick delivery of parts and are looking for a higher level of customer service. Standard parts are stocked in one of our conveniently located warehouses for quick distribution throughout the United States.
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