Introduction to Buttweld Fittings

By K.K. Fittings

Category: K. K. Industries

A butt weld pipe fitting is designed to be welded on site at its end to connect pipes together and allow the change in direction or pipe diameter, or branching or ending. This pipe fitting then enhances part of a system for carrying liquids (oil, gas, steam, chemicals) in a safe and efficient way, over short or long distances. Butt weld pipe fittings cover long radius elbow, cross, union, nipple, hex plug, concentric reducer, eccentric reducers and Tees, reducing tee equal tee, reducing cross, equal cross etc.

Butt weld fittings are an important part of the industrial piping system to change direction, branch off or to mechanically join equipment to the system. All butt welds appear in different dimensions, shapes, and sizes. Butt welded Pipe fittings offers many advantages compared to threaded and socket weld fittings. The later ones are only available up to 4-inch nominal size whereas butt weld fittings are available in sizes from ½” to 72”. Some of the benefits of butt weld fittings are;

Available Buttweld Fittings:

1. Butt Weld Long Radius 90 Degree Elbow:
Butt weld long radius 90-degree elbow is used for 90-degree turn on piping in butt weld piping system. Long radius elbows are favored due to their low-pressure drop.

2. Butt Weld Short Radius 90 Degree Elbow:
Butt weld short radius 90-degree elbows are preferred where space is inadequate. If needed as per piping arrangement, they can be cut to the lesser degree.

3. Butt Weld Long Radius 45 Degree Elbow:
Butt weld long radius 45-degree elbow is used for 45-degree turn on piping in butt weld piping system. Long radius elbows are preferred due to their low-pressure drop.

4. Butt Weld Long Radius Reducing Elbow:
They are sparingly used where there is a space constraint. Normally a straight elbow with butt weld reducer is used.

5. Butt Weld Straight Crosses:
For economy, availability and to minimize the number of items in inventory, it is preferred to use tees etc. and not crosses except where space is restricted, as in marine piping or revamp work.

6. Butt Weld Reducing Crosses:
For economy, availability and to minimize the number of items in inventory, it is preferred to use tees etc. and not crosses except where space is restricted, as in marine piping or revamp work.

7. Butt Weld Straight Tee:
Butt weld straight tees are used for branch connection of the same size that of the header. These are one of the widely used butt welding fittings.

8. Butt Weld Reducing Tee:
Butt weld reducing tees are used for branch connection of-o smaller size than that of the header. These are one of the widely used butt welding fittings.

9. Butt Weld Concentric Reducer:
These are used preferably in vertical piping. Placing them in horizontal piping changes elevation of piping which can be detrimental.

10. Butt Weld Eccentric Reducers:
These are mostly used in place of concentric reducers as they keep the bottom of pipe unchanged in horizontal piping.

11. Butt Weld Caps:
These are used to close the pipe ends on pipe racks. Are also used at the bottom of condensate drip legs.

12. Butt Weld Short Radius Returns:
180-degree returns are used to construct heating coils, vents on tanks etc. Long radius returns provide minimum pressure drop.

13. Lap Joint Stub End:
These are used when piping is made of a costly material such as stainless steel. Thick flange slips on this stub end. The flange can be made of a cheaper material like carbon steel.