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What are the di몭erences between Socket weld and Butt weld?

Socket Weld (SW) 몭ttings are de몭ned in the ASME B16.11. As with socket weld, a pipe is inserted
into a recessed area of the 몭tting. Both the pipe and the 몭tting are square cut, with no need for
beveled end or preparation other than cleaning the outside, which allows easy welding and
installation.

Butt weld (BW) 몭ttings are de몭ned in the ASME B16.9. They are welded at their ends to pipe end,
with the same thickness as pipes. The end of butt weld 몭ttings shall be beveled.

Butt weld elbow

 Socket weld elbow

Thread elbow

Application
Socket weld (the 몭llet weld) resists around 1/2 the strength of butt welding. So it is mainly used for
small pipeline (Small Bore Piping) with diameters NPS 2 or smaller.

Butt weld keeps better strength, good for high pressure or high temperature pipelines. So it is used
when a welded joint with strength not lower than that of the base metal itself is needed.

Feature
Socket weld is easy to install. But it requires approx. 1/16″ of gap at the bottom of the pipe to socket
into, to allow thermal expansion. This gap can lead to over stress problem that cracks the 몭llet weld
of the 몭tting. Socket weld is troublesome in corrosive 몭uid service due to crevice corrosion. And it is
easy to corrode due to the discontinuity of the smooth pipe internals.

Butt weld is the “best” in terms of strength, fatigue, and corrosion resistance, and temperatures
compliance. However, it is more di몭cult to 몭t-up and weld properly, needing skilled welder and
much time.

Price
Normally, the price of Socket weld 몭ttings is higher than Butt weld 몭ttings in similar size. But the
extra cost of butt weld is higher for installation, considering labor cost and skilled welder.

To speak with a piping expert, please email info@tpmcsteel.com.

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