Flange facing is the process by which the flanges are resurfaced by machining work to create new mating surfaces that ensure a perfect seal when assembled. Flange facing is done using a tool known as a flange facing tool, flange facing machine, or flange facers.
Flange facing is a very important activity in oil and gas, petrochemicals, refinery, pharmaceutical production, pipelines, food processing, chemical, and power generation industries. Additionally, the following industries use the flange facing operation while maintenance and shot down of their plant:
Flanges are always pressurized during operation and hence continuously experience damage due to turbulent flow. Additionally, they experience impacts with other components while construction and installation, or cuts from gasket leaks.