Types of Butt Weld Pipe Fittings
What is a butt weld pipe fitting ?
- A butt weld pipe fitting is designed to be welded on site at its end(s) to connect pipe(s) together and allow change in direction or pipe diameter, or branching or ending.
- This fitting then becomes part of a system for transporting fluids (oil, gas, steam, chemicals, …) in a safe and efficient manner, over short or long distances.
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Other types of fittings can be threaded or socket welded.
What are advantages of butt welding over flanges ?
- Flanges connect pipes by bolting them together, whereas butt weld fittings connect pipes by welding them together.
- Depending on size, butt weld fittings require 10% to 75% less material than a flanged connection, which means lower material cost and lower weight.
- Welded construction permits greater freedom in designing a layout; this system uses less space, is more compact, and has greater strength.
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Butt weld fittings provide optimum flow characteristics, without pockets or sharp corners, creating less frictional resistance, no pressure loss, less turbulence, …
What is a seamless butt weld fitting ?
- A seamless butt weld pipe fitting is made directly from a section of seamless pipe material, by applying heat and pressure to transform pipe directly into an elbow or other shape.
- A seamless fitting has no welded parts by itself, a characteristic demanded in some critical applications.
- By comparison, a regular butt weld fitting has one, two or more welds, depending on dimension, shape and manufacturing method.
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No weld means less risk of weld yield and porosities.
What is PVF ?
- PVF means Pipe, Valve and Fittings, and is widely used as short-hand to describe this industry.
- PVFs can be made in a variety of metals or plastics.
- Manufacturers typically specialize in special types of materials; distributors can carry narrow or very broad product lines.