The flange depicted in the figure is a?

A lap joint flange is designed to provide a flexible connection. It consists of two parts: a stub end that is welded to the pipe and a loose lap joint flange that fits over the stub end. This design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, which is beneficial in applications requiring frequent maintenance or inspection.

Lap joint flanges are often used in conjunction with a sleeve or a loose fitting, enabling the joint to pivot or rotate around the stub end, which can accommodate slight misalignments and ease the alignment process. This is particularly useful in situations where the alignment of pipes may change due to thermal expansion or contraction.

The characteristics of a lap joint flange distinguish it from other types, such as socket weld, blind, and threaded flanges. Socket weld flanges are designed for permanent connections and cannot be easily disassembled, while blind flanges are solid and used to seal the end of a pipe, and threaded flanges incorporate threads for connection to pipes that also have threads. Each of these other types serves specific purposes that do not align with the attributes of a lap joint flange.