Re: Comparing buttweld and socketweld joints

Saha, Tanmoy wrote:

> Butt welds are superior to socket welds. Many companies like SHELL do
> not use SW now only BW is acceptable. Reasons are
>
> - Crevice corrosion in SW, BW do not have this.
> - BW fittings are lighter hence material weight can be reduced.
> Advantageous for offshore projects.
> - for higher classes 6000# 9000# thickness very high. Cracks may develop
> during welding due to uneven heating.
>
> There may be other reasons also. In India IBR also may have some clauses
> as high pressure lines in steam lines we used all BW fittings. Hope this
> helps.

I tend to agree with the above points. With newer, cheaper, better welding technology socketwelding should be abandoned for process piping applications.

In a more abstract sense, buttwelded small bore provides for a cleaner installation (not just for flow considerations) and forces more stringent welding procedures.

Paul Received on Mon Jul 25 02:26:00 2005