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Socket welding (SW) is used for welding pipes and fittings including reducers, tees and
elbows.
Socket weld pipe fittings are used to permanently join pipes that are inserted into a recess
in the fitting, flange or valve. Once correctly inserted, fillet type sealing welds are applied to
These fittings are commonly known as SW pipe fittings, with SW couplings, SW elbows and
Socket welds can be used to change the direction of travel for pipe networks as well as join
The high leakage integrity and structural strength of socket welds allow them to be used for
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a range of piping network applications.
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Socket welding is named for the fittings into which the pipes are placed for welding. These
fittings include recessed sockets into which the pipes are inserted before being welded into
place.
When inserting the pipe into the socket it is important to leave a gap between the end of
the pipe and the bottom of the socket. This gap prevents a stress failure from occurring
when the heat from the welding process causes the pipes to expand against the socket. This
gap can be manually measured and marked with a reference line on the pipe, or a
permanent fitment tool can be inserted into the fitting to ensure the pipe does not bottom
out into the socket. Once placed in position, the pipe is fixed in place by fillet welding where
Socket welds create sealed, leak-proof, high pressure pipeline configurations for the
transporting of liquids or gases. Unlike butt welding, socket welds don’t require any pre-
weld machining, although the pipe ends should be clean in order to assure the integrity of
the weld.
Types
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Full Coupling
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This socket connects two pipes together, with threads at both ends to join the pipes.
Half Coupling
Half couplings are similar to full couplings, but only have threads on one end. With half
coupling, the non-threaded end is usually welded or fastened to piping using other means.
Reducing Coupling
These fittings are used to join two pipes of different diameters, using different width
This reducing fitting also allows for pipes of different diameters to be connected.
Made up of two internal threads either side of an interconnected centrepiece, these three-
part fittings use rotation to bring the pipe ends closer together. Because of this, the socket
weld union must be screwed up tightly before welding the ends, which will minimise seat
warping.
Available at90 degree and 45-degree angles, these fittings allow pipe runs to change
direction. SW elbows can be either short radius or long radius designs as required.
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Socket Weld Tee latest news and events from TWI:
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A socket weld tee fitting allows >
a T-junction to be inserted into a pipe network, creating a
90-degree branch off from a straight pipeline. A socket weld reducing tee can be used to
create a same T-junction using a smaller diameter pipe as the branch.
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Sockolet
Like the threadolet and the weldolet, the sockolet can be used to join a smaller diameter
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pipe with a larger one. The sockolet includes a socket in the olet (hence the name), which
makes welding convenient. Able to create a 90 degree direction change, the sockolet is also
This cross-formation fitting allows for two branches travelling in the same direction to make
Socket Weld Cap: A socket weld cap is used at the end of a pipe in order to seal it.
Socket Weld Flanges: SW flangeshave a recessed shoulder on the inner diameter which
allows the pipe to be fitted correctly. These fittings are typically used for small diameter
pipes and can work at higher pressures, offering excellent flow characteristics. There are a
number of different SW flange designs, including flat and raised face versions, each with
Socket weld fittings have a number of inherent advantages for joining pipes, including:
The socket easily enables proper alignment, meaning that tack welds are not needed to
align the pipes for welding
Socket weld fittings have a lower risk of leakage than threaded fittings
The socket design means that weld metal does not flow into the pipe bore
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Socket weld fittings are cheaper to install than butt weld fittings, as they do not require
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Disadvantages of Socket Weld Fittings
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Because the sockets do not allow complete penetration and must include an expansion gap
between the socket shoulder and the pipe, socket weld fittings have areas where
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substances can build up that are difficult to clean.
These areas mean that socket weld fittings are unsuitable for use in the food industry for
hygiene reasons and are also unsuitable for use with radioactive or corrosive substances
As seen above in the ‘disadvantages’ section, there are some applications that are not
suitable for socket weld use, but the high pressure ratings associated with socket weld
fittings mean that they are ideal for a wide range of other industrial applications.
chemicals safely due to the lowered risk of leakage compared to other joining techniques.
Creating a leak-free permanent join, SW pipe fittings also allow for excellent flow
fittings are shown to have met requirements for performance, including tolerances,
Socket weld pipe fittings are divided according to material type, such as alloy or carbon
steel and stainless steel pipes. The different types of fitting lend themselves to different
applications, whether couplings, reducers, reducing and regular socket weld tees, elbows,
FAQs
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Socket weld and butt weld fittings are governed by different applicable standards (socket
weld fittings are ASME B16.11 and butt weld fittings are ASME B16.9), as there are
Socket welds involve the insertion of the pipe into a recess at the joint and there is no need
to bevel the pipe ends or prepare the materials other than to ensure they are clean.
Butt welds require the fittings to be the same thickness as the pipes so that they can be
In addition to these practical differences, there are differences in performance, with butt
weld fittings tending to be stronger. For this reason, socket weld fittings tend to be reserved
for pipes with relatively small diameters. This difference in strength also means that butt
welds are preferred for high temperature and pressure applications or where the weld joint
A socket weld is generally considered to be different from a fillet weld, although there are
To fit a socket weld, a pipe is inserted into the fitting’s recess, allowing a gap of at least 1/16”
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to allow for thermal expansion of the pipe under welding pressure. Once the pipe is in
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position, it can be welded in place with a series of fillet-type welds. The thermal expansion
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gap will prevent the weld from cracking should the pipe expand against the fitting.
What is a Socket Weld Flange?
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Socket weld flanges tend to be updates. You can
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diameter, high pressure pipes. The pipes
are inserted into the socket end and fillet style welds are applied around the top to hold it in
X-rays can be used to examine socket welds, using radiographic inspection techniques
Socket welds can be radiographed, although it is not an ideal method for determining the
quality of the weld, it will tell you if there is an appropriate root gap.
Socket weld fittings are best used for small diameter pipes of NPS 2 or less. They can be
used to join small bore pipe sections together using fillet weld type joins to seal the pipes to
the fitting.
Socket weld fittings join lines of small diameter pipe used to convey flammable, toxic or
expensive materials that cannot be allowed to leak. Socket weld fittings can also be used for
steam with a pressure of 300-600 psi. They can create a high strength union with a high
Conclusion
Mainly used for smaller sized pipes, socket weld fittings provide leak-proof joins that can
withstand high pressures and deliver high-flow characteristics. The fittings are available in a
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