TECHNICAL TUESDAY

TECHNICAL TUESDAY

ABOUT   >   VIDEOS

What Is the Difference Between Butt Weld vs Socket Weld Pipe Fittings?

A socket weld fitting fits over the outside of the pipe it is being welded to whereas a butt weld is the welding of two of the same sized diameters joined end to end.

A socket weld fitting fits over the outside of the pipe it is being welded to. No beveling is needed as the socket weld forms a fillet weld. Socket weld is generally used for welding pipes which are small in diameter as this type of weld is not usually as strong as butt weld. Most commonly used specifications are diameters smaller than DN50 (2”), and the greatest diameter is DN100 (4”). We stock two types of socket weld fittings which are rated to 150LB and to 3000LB

A butt weld is the welding of two of the same sized diameters joined end to end. The ends are typically bevelled to create a valley the welding bead can fill to form the butt weld. 

Socket weld is easier to install and faster to weld but it is necessary to ensure there is an expansion gap between the shoulder of the socket and the pipe, to allow for thermal expansion. If it’s not big enough, this gap can lead to stress problems that cracks the fillet weld of the fitting and it is also easy to corrode due to the discontinuity of the smooth pipe internals.

Butt weld is the best in terms of strength, fatigue, corrosion resistance and temperature resistance making it more beneficial in high pressure grade environments. However it does need a skilled welder to align the butt ends and weld correctly, making it more time consuming. 

Related Products

Learn about Stainless Steel and discover more about how we can help you with supply in your engineering business.

Watch the latest videos from The Metal Company to learn all about how our products and services can help you. We Make buying stainless steel easy.

Watch more videos

More Videos About Pipe Fittings

What Is the Difference Between Butt Weld vs Socket Weld Pipe Fittings?

A socket weld fitting fits over the outside of the pipe it is being welded to whereas a butt weld is the welding of two of the same sized diameters joined end to end.

A socket weld fitting fits over the outside of the pipe it is being welded to. No beveling is needed as the socket weld forms a fillet weld. Socket weld is generally used for welding pipes which are small in diameter as this type of weld is not usually as strong as butt weld. Most commonly used specifications are diameters smaller than DN50 (2”), and the greatest diameter is DN100 (4”). We stock two types of socket weld fittings which are rated to 150LB and to 3000LB

A butt weld is the welding of two of the same sized diameters joined end to end. The ends are typically bevelled to create a valley the welding bead can fill to form the butt weld. 

Socket weld is easier to install and faster to weld but it is necessary to ensure there is an expansion gap between the shoulder of the socket and the pipe, to allow for thermal expansion. If it’s not big enough, this gap can lead to stress problems that cracks the fillet weld of the fitting and it is also easy to corrode due to the discontinuity of the smooth pipe internals.

Butt weld is the best in terms of strength, fatigue, corrosion resistance and temperature resistance making it more beneficial in high pressure grade environments. However it does need a skilled welder to align the butt ends and weld correctly, making it more time consuming. 

Related Products

More Technical Tuesday Videos

Weld Neck Rings & How They Work With Backing Flanges | Technical Tuesday

Weld neck rings are used in conjunction with backing flanges and provide a secure connection between piping systems. The neck rings that will be discussed are to suit Dairy Tube from 1” to 8” and also Spiral Welded Tube from 8” to 12”. Watch Morgan discuss

What Are Negative Bushes? | Technical Tuesday

Negative bushes are used to connect pipes or fittings with different thread sizes. These fittings contain BSP threaded ends and are commonly used in plumbing and piping systems. Watch Morgan discuss.

Our Range Of Stainless Sheet

Stainless steel sheets are flat thin plates that are available in various thicknesses and sizes. Sheet is used in a variety of different applications for sheet metal fabrication. Watch Jed discuss the range we stock.

RapidPress Bends vs Elbows | RapidPress Rundown

In our RapidPress bends range we stock Female-Female bends and Male-Female bends available in both 90 degree and 45 degree configurations. In our elbows range we stock a Male Female 90 degree elbow. Watch Patrick discuss the difference between our RapidPress bends and elbows.

You Ask, We Answer

Do you have questions regarding stainless steel, our products or our service? We would love to hear your suggestions for videos we could make.

Follow us on social media


Reset Password

LOOKING FOR TRADE DISCOUNTS?
OR Sign in below ▼

Reset Password

LOOKING FOR TRADE DISCOUNTS?
OR Sign in below ▼

Please contact The Metal Company to change your email address. Request change.