ADVANTAGES OF SOCKET WELD FITTINGS

Advantages

- The pipe need not be beveled for weld preparation.

- Temporary tack welding is no needed for alignment because in principle the fitting ensures proper alignment.

- The weld metal can not penetrate the bore of the pipe.

- They can be used in place of threaded fittings, so the risk of leakage is much smaller.

- Radiography is not practical on the fillet weld; therefore correct fitting and welding are crucial. The fillet weld may be inspected by surface examination, magnetic particle (MP), or liquid penetrant (PT) examination methods.

- Construction costs are lower than with butt-welded joints due to the lack of exacting fit-up requirements and elimination of special machining for butt weld end preparation.