Butt Weld Vs. Socket Weld

Butt and socket are two methods of welding metal together.

The butt weld and the socket weld are two different ways to weld two pieces of material together. The joint weld is specific to pipe or tubing, but there is a similar condition for flat stock.

Butt Weld

A butt weld is two pieces of metal butted against each other and welded. Several different methods exist for beveling the two pieces for good weld penetration. Both flat stock and pipe or tubing can be butt welded. Generally, the weld is ground flush with the material surface.

Socket Weld

A socket weld involves two different sized pieces of pipe. The smaller pipe is inside the larger pipe. The weld is completely around the outside circumference of the larger pipe.

Lap Joint

A lap joint is the flat equivalent of a socket weld. A piece of flat stock is on top of a second piece with two overlaps. The weld can be on both edges, or along one edge.

References

• The Oilfield Glossary: Butt Weld
• Welding Solutions: Welding Procedure Specification
• Weld Guru: Weld Types and Positions