Paddle Blinds
for Piping Systems
We're not just another paddle blind manufacturer. As a custom shop, we engineer and supply precision-cut blind solutions for piping systems worldwide. Our hydro blinds and blind flanges can be built to any thickness, handle type, alloy, or coating you need.
- Flange Rating (150#, 300#, 600#, 900#, 1500#, 2500#)
- Size (1/2" – 96")
- Handle Type (T, 7, or Straight)
- Blind Thickness (Isolation, Hydro, Custom)
- Steel Material Type (Carbon, Stainless – 304, 316, Other)
- Quantity Needed
- Necessary Delivery Date
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 1/2" – 96" |
| Thickness Options | Isolation • Hydro • Custom |
| Rating Classes | 150# • 300# • 600# • 900# • 1500# • 2500# |
| Stocked Alloys | 516-Gr70 CS • 304/316 SS (Any Available Alloy) |
| Materials Origin | USA |
| Handle Options | T • 7 • Straight |
| Face Options | Flat • Raised • RTJ Male • RTJ Female |
| Gasket Types | Octagonal • Oval |
| Finish Options | Serrated (125/250 RMS) • Mill |
| Coating Options | Various |
Blind
Processing
What separates USA Industries blinds from the competition — built into every piece.
Why Our Blinds Are Different
We are the actual manufacturer, not just a reseller. Since 1982, using advanced CNC plasma and waterjet machines, each blind is crafted with engineered symmetry, clean edges, fresh paint (carbon steel), marked or stamped, and color-coded handles for easy flange rating identification.
Our blind solutions are crafted from top-grade, American-milled alloys — including carbon steel, stainless steel, and specialized materials known for their strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Unlike others who may claim this, USA Industries has the largest stock for immediate delivery and true in-house production.
Blind Face, Gasket & Finish Types
USA Industries supplies paddle blinds in all standard face configurations — Flat Face, Raised Face, RTJ Male, and RTJ Female — with mill or serrated (125/250 RMS) finish options and all standard RTJ gasket profiles.
Choosing the Right Paddle Blind
Paddle blind selection depends on your pressure class, pipe size, thickness requirement, and face configuration. Use the tables and quick finder below to identify the right blind before you order — or call our team to confirm.
Thickness Options Compared
| Thickness Type | Primary Use | Pressure Rating | Typical Applications | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isolation Thickness | Standard flow isolation | Full rated pressure class | Process line shutdowns, maintenance isolation, turnarounds | ✓ |
| Hydro Thickness | Hydrostatic pressure testing | Hydrotest pressure (1.5× MAWP) | Pre-commissioning testing, pressure integrity verification | ✓ |
| Custom Thickness | Special application requirements | Engineered to specification | High-cycle service, unusual pressure/temperature combinations | ✓ |
Handle Type Quick Reference
| Handle Type | Description | Best For | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| "T" Handle | Classic T-bar at top of blind — most recognizable handle style | General service; easiest to grab and identify at a distance | ✓ |
| "7" Handle | Angled 7-shaped handle — lower profile than T | Tight spaces, pipe racks with limited clearance | ✓ |
| Straight Handle | Straight extension from blind body | RTJ face configurations; custom spacing requirements | ✓ |
What Is a Paddle Blind?
A paddle blind — also called a line blank, spade blind, or pancake blind — is a solid metal disc inserted between two flanges in a piping system to completely block flow. Unlike a valve, a paddle blind provides a positive, visible, and verifiable isolation of a pipeline section, making it the preferred method for safe maintenance and turnaround operations across the oil and gas, petrochemical, and industrial processing industries.
Paddle blinds are manufactured to ASME B16.48 (up to 24") and ASME B16.47 Series A and B (26" and larger), and are available in all pressure classes from 150# to 2500#.
What Are Paddle Blinds Used For?
Paddle blinds provide positive isolation — a physical barrier that cannot accidentally open the way a valve can. They are required by OSHA and industry safety standards in many maintenance scenarios. Common uses include:
- Maintenance isolation — Safely block a section of pipe for repairs, inspection, or equipment replacement without shutting down the entire system
- Turnaround operations — Provide verified isolation at vessel nozzles, exchangers, and process lines during planned shutdowns
- Hydrostatic pressure testing — Temporarily close off pipe sections to verify structural integrity and leak-tightness
- Lockout/tagout (LOTO) — Serve as a physical confirmation of isolation status, visible from a distance via color-coded handles
- Commissioning and decommissioning — Isolate new or retired sections of pipe during system startups or shutdowns
Industries served include oil and gas refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical processing, power generation, cement plants, steel mills, storage terminals, and food processing facilities.
Isolation vs. Hydro Thickness — What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions we get. The difference comes down to the pressure the blind must withstand:
- Isolation thickness is designed to handle the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of the system at operating conditions — used for routine maintenance isolation and turnarounds
- Hydro thickness is designed for hydrotest pressure, which is typically 1.5× the MAWP — used during pressure integrity testing where pressures exceed normal operating conditions
Using an isolation-thickness blind for hydrotesting can result in blind failure. Always specify your intended use when ordering. Use our Paddle Blind Thickness Chart to look up the correct thickness for your line size and pressure class, or call our technical team and we'll confirm based on your exact requirements.
Paddle Blind Material Options
The blind material should match or be compatible with the pipe material and process fluid to prevent galvanic corrosion and ensure safe isolation.
- SA516 Grade 70 Carbon Steel — Standard stocked material; most common for general industrial and refinery applications
- A105 Carbon Steel — Forged material for higher-pressure service
- 304 & 316 Stainless Steel — Corrosion-resistant; NSF ANSI/CAN 61 certified; widely stocked
- Duplex & Super Duplex Stainless Steel — High strength and corrosion resistance for demanding environments
- Monel, Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy — Extreme temperature and chemical resistance
- Titanium — Chemical processing and highly corrosive services
- Custom alloys available — Any available alloy; PMI verified on all raw materials
Why Choose USA Industries Paddle Blinds?
USA Industries has been manufacturing paddle blinds since 1982 from our facilities in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. We are the manufacturer — not a distributor — which means faster lead times, custom capabilities, and direct technical support from people who know the product.
- Largest stock of paddle blinds in the Gulf region — most sizes ready same day
- Custom sizes, thicknesses, and alloys — any specification, fast turnaround
- Sizes from 1/2" to 96" — ASME B16.48, B16.47 Series A & B, B16.5
- Color-coded by class rating — instant visual identification in the field
- U.S.-produced steel, PMI verified on all raw materials
- Waterjet and plasma cut — precision edges, stamped with blind specs
- Rent or purchase — EZ Lock Blind Rack® available for storage
- ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing
- 24/7/365 emergency availability — Houston TX, Corpus Christi TX, Prairieville LA, Broken Arrow OK
Additional Information
Technical Documentation
