A Brief Introduction to Buttweld Pipe Fittings

Posted by Armstrong Louis on September 19th, 2019

Buttweld pipe fittings are used to connect pipes and equipment and to change their direction of flow. They serve as an integral part of industrial piping systems for branching off, changing directions or joining piping components mechanically. Pipe fittings are available in a range of material choices like carbon steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys. (Information Credit - https://www.eurosteel.co.za/stainless-steel/buttweld-fittings/buttweld-elbows)

Some of the most common buttweld fittings include buttweld elbows, tees, reducers etc. They are all available with pipe fitting suppliers easily, in all standard configurations, ensuring that they are compatible with most pipe fittings.

Types of Buttweld Pipe Fittings:

Depending on their application, shape and design, buttweld pipe fittings can be distinguished into the following:

1. Buttweld Elbows – Buttweld elbows are used to connect two straight pipes, changing the direction of flow. The curved looking component is generally manufactured in two angles of the bend – 45 and 90. The angle of the bend determines the change in direction. The radius of the buttweld elbow also varies. You can choose from a short radius or long radius.

2. Buttweld Tees – Tee fittings are called so as they are shaped like a capital ‘T’. The shape of the fitting dictates its utility, characteristics and functionality. These are used in T-joints to allow equal circulation of the flow in two different directions and to maintain equal levels of water between two tanks.

3. Buttweld Reducers – Reducers are used to join two pipes of different sizes, reducing the flow from one pipe to the other. This is useful when the flow from and to the pump needs to be controlled. When used inversely, the reducer can be used to increase the flow of the fluid or gas. Reducers are generally available in two variants – concentric and eccentric.

  • In a concentric reducer, both the ends or openings of the fittings are aligned in a straight line along the centre.
  • In an eccentric reducer, the ends of the fittings are not aligned. One side of the fitting is aligned to the source pipe while the other side is slanted, allowing non-parallel pipes to be joint.

4. Buttweld End caps – As the name suggests, the buttweld end caps are attached to the ends of the pipes as a precautionary measure, ensuring the safety of the pipe ends. These are instrumental in applications where the connections need to be waterproof in order to avoid any leakage. High temperature and pressure situations are ideal for use of these pipe fittings. The end caps are available in various shapes like square, hexagon, round and many more.

These are the most popular buttweld pipe fittings that are used across various industries like oil and gas, petroleum and power generation; where leak-proof piping systems are a prerequisite. These fittings allow multiple connections of the pipes while preventing any leakage of the fluids flowing through these pipelines. Manufactured in strict accordance with international standards, these are used in applications where the toxic and corrosive fluids need to be handled.

Features and Advantages of Buttweld Pipe Fittings

Buttweld elbows, tees, reducers and other buttweld pipe fittings offer a variety of advantages that make them so widely used in industrial piping systems. Some of the advantageous features of these fittings include:

  • The buttweld fittings can be manufactured in varying thicknesses depending upon the sensitivity of the application.
  • They are corrosion resistant, allowing them to handle corrosive and hazardous fluids.
  • They offer more robust connections as compared to threaded fittings.
  • The continuous metal structure of the buttweld fittings contributes to the strength of the piping system.
  • The buttweld pipe fittings generally have bevelled ends. This allows for full penetration and proper fitting without any extra preparation. As the fittings match with the pipes and seal with great penetration, it ensures seamless flow of the liquid inside the pipe.

These are some of the advantageous features of buttweld pipe fittings. The fittings are sold according to the schedule and size of the pipe to ensure the perfect fit. Buttweld pipe fittings are available in both welded and seamless fittings. The seamless configurations are made especially for seamless pipes and are not commonly seen in bigger pipes. You should remember to specify all these details when ordering a buttweld pipe fitting.

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Armstrong Louis

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Armstrong Louis
Joined: August 9th, 2016
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