What Are Socket Weld Fittings And What Are They Used For?

Socket weld fittings, or SW fittings, are used in various sectors and applications so that pipes can be aligned before welding.

What Are Socket Weld Fittings?

Socket weld fittings are steel pipe fittings with a socket to fit the pipe before welding. This means pipes can be put in place correctly so that the connections remain secure.

Socket Weld Fitting Types

Socket weld fittings differ depending on pipe diameters and direction. Socket weld fittings also have different coupling  threads, detailed below:

Full Coupling

A full coupling connects two pipes with a thread on both ends to join them. Couplers are typically used when joining pipes are the same diameter.

Half Coupling

Half couplings connect a pipe to a fitting or another pipe but only have a thread on one side. These are frequently used with a matching half coupling to complete a connection. A half coupling typically provides a female threaded end.

Reducing Coupling

Reducing couplings are used to connect pipes with different diameters, with different socket widths.

Socket Weld Union

SW unions comprise a three-piece design with two internal threads and a connected rotating centrepiece to bring the pipe ends together.

Socket Weld Elbow

SW elbow fittings can be 45 or 90 degrees to change the direction of a pipe.

Equal Tee

Socket weld tees create 90 degree branches from the main pipe. An equal tee connects pipes of the same diameter, while reducing tees are suitable for different sized pipes.

Socket Weld End Cap

End caps are used at the ends of a pipe to seal it.

Applications of Socket Weld Fittings

Socket weld fittings are used in a variety of industries because of their durability. They are commonly used in:

• Petrochemical and chemical processing industries: Suitable for hazardous and high-pressure fluid pipes.
• Marine environments: Resistant to corrosion and good for confined spaces.
• Oil and gas: Reliable connections for high-temperature and high-pressure systems.
• Food processing: Sturdy connections for industrial pipelines.
• Utilities: Effective in pipe systems that need long-lasting and leak-proof connections.

Common Socket Weld Fittings

Anglo Stainless stocks SW fittings in both 3000lb (high-pressure) and 150lb (low-pressure) configurations.

• SW Elbows (45° and 90°)
• SW End Caps
• SW Equal Tees
• SW Full and Half Couplings
• SW Unions