Socket welding is used to connect socket flanges to iron pipes, creating a high-strength joint that can withstand high pipeline pressure. A fillet weld is placed around the smaller pipe inserted into the socket, creating a hermetically sealed high-pressure connection. It is important to not push the inner tube all the way into the larger tube during welding to prevent stress failure of the sleeve and weld. Larger diameter pipes commonly use a butt weld instead.
A socket weld is a weld used when connecting socket flanges to iron pipe. The outlet flange allows you to connect two pipes of different diameters together and maintain a high flow characteristic. Exactly as the name suggests, socket welding actually welds a pipe into a socket fitting recessed into the socket flange, creating a high-strength joint that can withstand high pipeline pressure without connection problems. Once the pipe is pushed into the flange, socket welding is used to surround the outside diameter of the pipe, fusing the two components together as one component. The weld varies from a common butt weld in that it surrounds a small diameter pipe where it enters a larger diameter pipe, rather than simply joining two equally sized surfaces.
When socket welding, it is imperative that the inner tube is not pushed all the way into the larger tube so that it sinks into the socket. Failure to lightly pull the inner tube from the bottom surface of the sleeve can cause stress failure of the sleeve and weld. This damage occurs when the heat from the welding procedure causes the two pipes to expand. Without a small gap between the bottom of the inner tube and the bottom of the socket, the two could contact and push against each other, thus compromising the integrity of the socket weld.
The actual type of weld used when making a socket weld is called a fillet weld. With the smaller pipe inserted the correct depth into the socket, a fillet weld is placed around the outside of the smaller pipe while also in contact with the larger outside diameter of the socket. This socket weld creates a hermetically sealed high-pressure connection suitable for the transport of air, liquids and gases. This type of joinery is commonly used on smaller diameter pipe, while larger diameter pipe commonly uses a butt weld to make the connections.
In a butt weld, the two halves or tubes are beveled slightly with a grinder to create a V when seated tightly together. The welder then places the butt weld into the vee, essentially filling the space with weld and creating a solid joint between the two pipes. There is typically no grinding involved in creating a socket weld, although there is some prep work left to complete before the weld is done. Users can prevent the inner tube from bottoming in the socket by measuring and drawing a reference line around the joint or by installing a permanent fitting tool designed to stay inside the joint and then proceeding with socket welding.
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