Socket weld fittings are used with schedule pipe, which fits into the recess of the fitting and then a fillet weld can be used to join them.
Socket Weld is mainly used for smaller bore pipelines as the fillet weld used is typically not as strong as a butt weld. Butt welds tend to keep better strength, are good for high pressure or high temperature pipelines and are used when a welded joint as strong or stronger than the base metal itself is needed.
Socket weld is easier to install than butt weld, which is more difficult to fit up and weld properly, needing more expertise and time. Typically, socket weld fittings are more expensive than butt weld fittings, but the labour and skill needed to install for butt weld is far more expensive than socket weld.
We stock socket weld in both 150LB rated and 3000LB rated fittings. The 150LB fittings are the same dimensions as our 150LB BSP Threaded fittings, just with sockets instead of female BSP threads. The rating refers to the pressure the fittings can handle, provided they are installed correctly.
We stock from 15NB to 100NB in our 150LB Rated fittings, and 15NB to 50NB in our 3000LB and they are both manufactured to suit the ASME B16.11 standard.
The high leakage integrity and strength of socket weld fittings allow them to be used for a range of piping network applications, however as with all Schedule Pipe installations these are not suitable for hygienic use.