Spade Blanks Manufacturer

Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures spade blanks (paddle blinds / spade blinds) — solid plate blanks with a protruding handle (tab) that are inserted between two flanges to positively isolate a line. Unlike a valve, a spade gives a guaranteed metal barrier across the bore for safe maintenance, tie-ins, and pressure testing. Usually paired with a matching spacer (paddle spacer) for the open position. Made to ASME B16.48 in A105, SS 304/316/321, Duplex, Monel, Inconel, and Hastelloy. Class 150 to 2500, PN1 to PN400. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Made in India.

Positive Line Isolation Solid Plate + Handle ASME B16.48 Paired with Spacer Class 150–2500 · PN1–PN400 A105 / SS 316 / Monel / Inconel RF / RTJ Facing ISO 9001:2015

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Spade Blanks A105 SS 304 316 321 Inconel Monel

Spade Blank (Paddle Blind)

What Is a Spade Blank?

Definition: A Spade Blank — also called a paddle blind or spade blind — is a solid metal plate, shaped like a paddle with a protruding handle (tab), that is bolted between two pipe flanges to completely block (blank off) the bore. It provides positive, fail-safe isolation: where a closed valve can leak, a spade is a continuous metal wall across the pipe, so the line downstream is guaranteed dead for safe maintenance, vessel entry, equipment removal, tie-ins, or pressure testing. The handle stays outside the flange so the spade can be seen and handled, and is often stamped with size, rating, and material. A spade is normally supplied with a matching spacer (paddle spacer / ring spacer) — the same outline but with an open bore — so the crew swaps the spade for the spacer to return the line to service. Together a spade + spacer is a spade-and-spacer (paddle blank & spacer) set; when joined by a web they form a figure-8 spectacle blind.

Spade blanks are core line-isolation hardware for plant turnarounds and safe work. Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures spades, paddle spacers, ring spacers, and line blanks to ASME B16.48 in the full material range — dimensioned per the tables below.

Spade Blank vs Spacer vs Spectacle Blind

Item	Bore	Function
Spade Blank (paddle blind)	Solid (no bore)	Blanks/isolates the line — the “closed” position
Spacer (paddle / ring spacer)	Open bore (full pipe ID)	Keeps the gap when flow is wanted — the “open” position
Spectacle Blind	One solid + one open, joined by a web	Both functions in one part — flip to isolate or open

A spade and a spacer are the two halves of the job as separate plates (used on larger lines where a one-piece spectacle blind would be too heavy); a spectacle blind combines both into a single figure-8 plate for smaller lines.

How a Spade Blank Is Used

Depressurise & drain: Isolate and drain the line at the flanged joint where the spade is to be inserted.

Spread the flanges: Loosen and spread the flanges (using a flange spreader) to create the gap for the plate.

Insert the spade: Slide the solid spade between the flanges with the handle outboard, with gaskets each side.

Bolt up & isolate: Re-bolt and torque the flange; the solid plate now positively blanks the line for safe work.

Swap for the spacer: To return to service, remove the spade and fit the matching open-bore spacer in its place.

Spade Blank Specifications

Spade Blanks are available in the following specifications:
Size	1/2"NB to 56"NB
Class	150#, 300#, 3000#, 6000#, 9000#
Sch (Schedule)	XS, XXS, STD & Schedule 20, 40, 80, 160
Pressure Ratings	PN 1 - PN 400
Stainless Steel Spade Blanks	ASTM A 182 F - 304 / 304H / 304L / 316 / 316H / 316L / 316Ti, 309, 310, 317L, 321, 347, 904L
Duplex Steel Spade Blanks	ASTM A 182 - F 51, F 53, F 55
Alloy Steel Spade Blanks	ASTM A 182 - F5, F9, F11, F21, F22 & F91
Carbon Steel Spade Blanks	ASTM A 105
Low Temp. Carbon Steel Spade Blanks (LTCS Orifice Flanges Flanges)	A 350 LF2
Copper Nickel (Cu-Ni) Spade Blanks	C70600, 90/10, C71500, 70/30, C71640
Nickel Spade Blanks	UNS N02200, UNS N02201
Monel Spade Blanks	UNS N04400, UNS N05500, Alloy 20
Inconel Spade Blanks	UNS N06600, UNS N06601, UNS N06625, UNS N08800, UNS N08810, UNS N08825
Hastelloy Spade Blanks	UNS N10276, UNS N06022, UNS N10665, UNS N06455
Titanium Spade Blanks	Gr. 1, Gr. 2, Gr. 3, DTH 3.7035, DTH 3.7055
Other Services	Hot Dip Galvanized (GI) Spade Blanks Sand Blasting on Spade Blanks Shot Peening on Spade Blanks Epoxy Coating on Spade Blanks FBE Coating on Spade Blanks

Spade Blank Dimensions (ASME B16.48)

Spade and Paddle Blank Dimension Diagram

Spade & Paddle Dimension Diagram

Dimension note: spade and paddle blank dimensions are set by ASME B16.48 for each pressure class — the plate diameter sits inside the bolt circle and the handle (tab) projects beyond the flange OD. Tables below give the dimensions by pressure class; tell us the NPS, class, and facing for exact data.

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 150 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
	A	C	t	W
1/2	45	126	3	32
3/4	54	131	3	32
1	64	136	3	32
1.1/4	73	145	6.4	32
1.1/2	83	145	6.4	32
2	102	155	6.4	32
2.1/2	107	170	6.4	32
3	133	170	6.4	32
3.1/2	159	202	9.7	38
4	172	202	9.7	38
5	194	225	9.7	38
6	219	225	12.7	38
8	276	267	12.7	38
10	337	322	15.7	44
12	406	357	19.1	44
14	448	378	19.1	44
16	511	410	22.4	44
18	546	427	25.4	51
20	603	455	28.4	51
24	714	512	31.8	51

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 300 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	51	129	6.4	32
3/4	64	136	6.4	32
1	70	139	6.4	32
1.1/4	79	150	6.4	32
1.1/2	92	150	6.4	32
2	108	158	9.7	32
2.1/2	127	177	9.7	32
3	146	177	9.7	32
3.1/2	162	205	12.7	38
4	178	205	12.7	38
5	213	240	15.7	38
6	248	240	15.7	38
8	305	281	22.4	38
10	359	333	25.4	44
12	419	363	28.4	44
14	483	395	31.8	44
16	536	422	38.1	44
18	594	450	41.1	51
20	651	480	44.5	51
24	772	540	50.8	51

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 600 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	51	129	6.4	32
3/4	64	136	6.4	32
1	70	139	6.4	32
1.1/4	79	150	9.7	32
1.1/2	92	150	9.7	32
2	108	158	9.7	32
2.1/2	127	177	12.7	32
3	146	177	12.7	32
3.1/2	159	211	15.7	38
4	191	211	15.7	38
5	238	248	19.1	38
6	264	248	22.4	38
8	318	288	28.4	38
10	397	352	35.1	44
12	454	381	41.1	44
14	489	398	44.5	44
16	562	435	50.8	44
18	610	459	53.8	51
20	679	493	63.5	51
24	787	547	73.2	51

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 900 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	60	134	6.4	32
3/4	67	137	6.4	32
1	76	142	6.4	32
1.1/4	86	151	9.7	32
1.1/2	95	151	9.7	32
2	140	174	12.7	32
2.1/2	162	186	12.7	32
3	165	186	15.7	32
4	203	217	19.1	38
5	244	259	22.4	38
6	286	259	25.4	38
8	356	307	35.1	38
10	432	370	41.1	44
12	495	401	47.8	44
14	518	412	53.8	44
16	572	440	60.5	44
18	635	471	66.5	51
20	696	501	73.2	51
24	835	571	88.9	51

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 1500 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	61	135	6.4	32
3/4	67	137	9.7	32
1	76	142	9.7	32
1.1/4	86	151	9.7	32
1.1/2	95	151	12.7	32
2	140	174	12.7	32
2.1/2	162	190	15.7	32
3	172	190	19.1	32
4	206	219	22.4	38
5	251	256	28.4	38
6	279	256	35.1	38
8	349	303	41.1	38
10	432	370	50.8	44
12	518	412	60.5	44
14	575	442	66.5	44
16	638	472	76.2	44
18	702	504	85.9	51
20	752	530	95.3	51
24	899	603	111.3	51

Spade Blank Dimensions — Pressure Class 2500 (ASME B16.5)

NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
NPS	Outside Dia.	Center End	Thickness	Handle Width
	A	C	t	W
1/2	67	137	9.7	32
3/4	73	140	9.7	32
1	83	145	9.7	32
1.1/4	102	161	12.7	32
1.1/2	114	161	15.7	32
2	143	175	15.7	32
2.1/2	165	201	19.1	32
3	194	201	22.4	32
4	232	232	28.4	38
5	276	273	35.1	38
6	314	273	41.1	38
8	384	321	53.8	38
10	473	390	66.5	44
12	546	427	79.2	44

Why Choose Tesco Spade Blanks?

🔒 Positive Isolation

A solid metal plate gives guaranteed, fail-safe isolation for maintenance, vessel entry, and tie-ins — no valve seat to leak.

🔧 Matched Spacer

Supplied with a matching paddle/ring spacer so the line can be returned to full-bore service by swapping plates.

📐 ASME B16.48

Made to ASME B16.48 line-blank dimensions for the full Class 150–2500 range, with RF or RTJ facings.

🧬 Full Material Range

A105, LTCS, SS 304/316/321, Duplex, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Copper-Nickel, and Titanium.

🏷 Stamped & Marked

Handles stamped with size, rating, and material for clear identification and safe blind-list control.

📝 To Standard or Drawing

Manufactured to ASME B16.48 or your drawing, certified with EN 10204 3.1 MTC.

Material Selection Guide

Material	Properties	Typical Use
A105 Carbon Steel / A350 LF2 (LTCS)	Strong, economical; LF2 for low temp	Non-corrosive & low-temperature lines
SS 304 / 316 / 321	Good corrosion resistance; 321 high-temp	Process, chemical & high-temperature lines
Duplex 2205 / Super Duplex 2507	High strength & chloride resistance	Seawater & offshore isolation
Monel 400 / Inconel	Excellent in HF, marine & high-temp	HF, seawater & high-temperature lines
Hastelloy / Copper-Nickel / Titanium	Superior corrosion resistance	Aggressive chemical & marine service

⚠ Rate the spade for the full line pressure & match the facing: A spade blank must be thick enough to hold the full line pressure across the bore with the valve(s) open — use the correct class for the service, never a thin plate. Match the facing (RF/RTJ) and gaskets to the flanges, depressurise and drain before inserting or removing, and keep a controlled blind list so every spade and spacer is accounted for during a shutdown.

Industry Applications

Industry	Typical Use	Why Spade Blank
Oil & Gas	Maintenance isolation & tie-ins	Positive, fail-safe blanking
Refinery & Petrochemical	Turnaround line isolation	Safe vessel entry; full material range
Power Generation	Boiler & steam-line isolation	SS 321 high-temperature service
Chemical Plants	Corrosive-line isolation	Monel / Inconel / Hastelloy
Pipelines	Section isolation & testing	High-class positive isolation
Pharmaceutical / Process	Equipment isolation	Clean SS plates; clear marking
Offshore & Marine	Topside line isolation	Duplex / alloy corrosion resistance
Water & Utilities	Maintenance blanking	Economical positive isolation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a spade blank?

A spade blank (paddle blind) is a solid metal plate with a protruding handle that is bolted between two pipe flanges to completely block the bore. It provides positive, fail-safe isolation of a line for maintenance, vessel entry, tie-ins, or pressure testing — a continuous metal barrier where a closed valve could leak.

Q2. What is the difference between a spade and a spacer?

A spade is solid (no bore) and blanks the line — the “closed” position. A spacer (paddle or ring spacer) has an open bore equal to the pipe and keeps the flange gap when flow is wanted — the “open” position. They are made as a matched pair so the crew swaps one for the other to isolate or restore the line.

Q3. What is the difference between a spade blank and a spectacle blind?

A spectacle blind joins a solid disc and an open ring with a web into one figure-8 part — you flip it to isolate or open. A spade and spacer do the same job as two separate plates, used on larger lines where a one-piece spectacle blind would be too heavy to handle. Function is identical; the difference is one-piece vs two-piece.

Q4. Why use a spade blank instead of a valve for isolation?

A valve can pass or leak across its seat, so it is not considered positive isolation for entry or hot work. A spade is a continuous solid plate across the bore, giving a guaranteed, visible, fail-safe barrier. Safety procedures for vessel entry and maintenance therefore require spades/blinds rather than relying on a closed valve.

Q5. What standard and dimensions apply to spade blanks?

Spade blanks and spacers are made to ASME B16.48 (line blanks) for Class 150 to 2500, dimensioned to the matching ASME B16.5 flange. The plate sits inside the bolt circle and the handle projects beyond the flange OD. The dimension tables on this page give sizes by pressure class.

Q6. What thickness should a spade blank be?

The plate must be thick enough to withstand the full line pressure acting across the open bore without excessive deflection or failure, so thickness increases with size and pressure class. We calculate and supply spades to the correct ASME B16.48 thickness for the class and size — never use an under-rated thin plate.

Q7. What materials are spade blanks made from?

Carbon steel (A105) and LTCS (A350 LF2), stainless steels (304/316/321 and others), Duplex (F51/F53/F55), alloy steels, Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy, Copper-Nickel, and Titanium — matched to the line material, fluid, and temperature.

Q8. Can spade blanks be supplied to our drawing and certified?

Yes. We supply spades, paddle spacers, and ring spacers to ASME B16.48 or your drawing — size, class, facing, material, and handle marking — with EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates on request. Send your line details and service conditions for a quote.

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