AstroForge Fitting Industries delivers precision-engineered fasteners built for strength, reliability, and extreme industrial environments.

Leading Buttweld Fittings Manufacturer in India – In-Depth Guide to Types, Materials & Industrial Applications

What Are Buttweld Fittings?

Buttweld fittings are weldable pipe fittings designed to be permanently welded to a piping system. They are commonly used in high-pressure applications due to their strength, leak-proof nature, and minimal pressure drop across the connection. These fittings include elbows, tees, reducers, caps, and more, all conforming to standard dimensions and specifications like ASME B16.9 and MSS-SP-75.

Buttweld fittings offer superior mechanical strength, better flow characteristics, and ensure continuity of the pipe system due to their smooth inner surface. They’re ideal for use in oil & gas, chemical, power, and process industries.

a. Buttweld Elbows

Used to change the direction of flow.

  • 90° Elbow (LR & SR) – Long Radius (1.5D) or Short Radius (1D)
  • 45° Elbow – Creates a gentle directional change
  • 180° Return Bends – Used in U-shaped piping arrangements

c. Buttweld Reducers

Change the pipe size gradually.

  • Concentric Reducer – Keeps the centerline aligned
  • Eccentric Reducer – Used when top or bottom pipe alignment is critical

b. Buttweld Tees

Used to create a branch line from the main pipe.

  • Equal Tee – All three sides have the same diameter
  • Reducing Tee – Branch has a smaller diameter than the run

d. Buttweld Caps

Used to close pipe ends or isolate lines temporarily/permanently.

e. Crosses, Stub Ends, Nipples

Used in special assemblies and complex routing or flange joint requirements.

a. Carbon Steel

Grades: ASTM A234 WPB/WPC, A420 WPL6
Used in industrial services where corrosion resistance is not a primary concern but pressure and temperature handling are critical.

b. Stainless Steel

Grades: 304/L, 316/L, 321, 347, 310, 904L
Highly corrosion-resistant, ideal for chemical, dairy, and food-grade environments.

c. Alloy Steel

Grades: ASTM A234 WP1, WP5, WP9, WP11, WP22, WP91
Used in high-temperature services like boilers and heat exchangers.

d. Nickel Alloys

Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, Alloy 20
Extremely corrosion- and heat-resistant, ideal for offshore, marine, and critical process environments.

e. Duplex & Super Duplex Stainless Steel

Grades: UNS S31803, S32750
Excellent mechanical properties and pitting resistance. Used in desalination plants, oil rigs, and coastal refineries.

  • ASME B16.9 – Factory-made wrought buttweld fittings
  • MSS-SP-43 – For stainless steel fittings for low-pressure use
  • ASTM A403 / A234 / A815 / B366 – Covers material requirements
  • Size Range – From ½” NB to 72” NB
  • Wall Thickness – SCH 5S, 10S, 40, 80, 160, STD, XS, XXS
  • NACE MR0175 – Compliance for sour service

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  • Seamless flow path (no turbulence)
  • Stronger, leak-proof joints
  • Suitable for large bore pipelines
  • Reduced pipe stress due to gradual changes in direction or diameter
  • Lower cost per unit in long-run projects
  • Easy to radiograph and inspect weld quality
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  • Ensure pipe and fitting bevels align correctly
  • Use matching filler metals (E7018 for CS, ER316L for SS)
  • Maintain 1.5–2 mm root gap
  • Preheat carbon steel to avoid HAZ cracks
  • Use back purging for stainless and alloy steels
  • Conduct 100% radiographic testing for critical welds
  • Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) may be required for alloy steels
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  • Material Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1/3.2
  • Third-Party Inspection (TPI) – SGS, BV, TUV
  • NDT Reports – RT, UT, PT, MT
  • Hydro Test Reports
  • IBR (India), PED (EU), ISO 9001 compliant manufacturing
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Before ordering, make sure to define:

  • Pipe Size (OD/NB) and Schedule (Sch 40/80/160 etc.)
  • Material grade and standard (e.g. ASTM A234 WPB)
  • Type and angle (90° LR Elbow, Reducer, Tee)
  • Quantity and End Connection (Beveled, Plain)
  • Compliance needs (NACE, IBR, ISO)
  • Surface finish or special requirements (e.g. pickled, passivated)

If you’re looking for precision-engineered buttweld fittings backed by certifications, expert guidance, and competitive pricing — you’re in the right place.

Contact us today to get:

  • Technical support for material & size selection
  • Bulk supply capabilities for large projects
  • Compliance with IBR, NACE, PED, and more
  • Fast dispatch and quality assurance
Mechanical strength varies by material, but general expectations include:
 
Material Tensile Strength (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa) Elongation (%)
Carbon Steel (WPB) 485 240 22
Stainless 316L 485 170 40
Alloy Steel (WP22) 620 415 20
Inconel 625 827 414 30

a. Oil & Gas

Used in upstream, midstream, and downstream operations for high-pressure fluid transfer and corrosion resistance.

b. Power Plants

Used in superheated steam lines, feedwater systems, and condensate return due to high-temperature endurance.

c. Chemical & Petrochemical

Resistant to acidic and hazardous chemicals. Stainless steel and nickel alloys are commonly used.

d. Marine & Offshore

Nickel alloys and duplex stainless steel resist saltwater corrosion.

e. Pharmaceutical & Food Processing

Sanitary-grade fittings with electro-polished finishes.

 
Feature Buttweld Socket Weld Screwed/Threaded
Pressure Capacity High Moderate Low
Size Range ½” – 72” Up to 2” Up to 4”
Strength & Durability Excellent Good Poor (leak-prone)
Maintenance Requirement Low Medium High
Applications Industrial, Critical General Pipeworks Temporary/low-cost use

a. Hot Forming

A seamless pipe or plate is heated and molded using dies and hammers. It is then heat treated to restore mechanical strength.

b. Cold Forming

For small diameter fittings where precise tolerances and surface finish are required.

c. Beveling and Machining

Ends are prepared for welding with a 37.5° bevel and 1.6 mm root face.

d. Heat Treatment

Normalization, annealing, quenching, or tempering is applied based on material standards.

e. Testing

  • Visual inspection
  • Radiography (RT)
  • Ultrasonic (UT)
  • Hydrostatic testing
  • PMI (Positive Material Identification)
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Reliable, durable, and precise Buttweld for pipe fittings

FAQs - Buttweld Fittings

Buttweld fittings are used to connect pipes and allow for changes in direction, branching, or pipe diameter in high-pressure, high-temperature applications. Their seamless design provides structural strength and leak-proof performance.
Key standards include ASME B16.9, MSS SP-43, ASTM A234/A403/A815, and DIN/EN equivalents. These cover dimensional tolerances, wall thickness, material grades, and testing requirements.
LR elbows have a center-to-end dimension of 1.5 times the pipe diameter, offering smoother flow and reduced pressure drop. SR elbows are more compact (1.0x diameter) and used in space-constrained areas.
Yes, when made from appropriate materials like 316L, 904L, or Hastelloy, they are highly resistant to corrosion and ideal for use in chemical, marine, and offshore industries.
Yes. Manufacturers like AstroForge offer custom sizing, bevel angles, thickness, and special materials to suit project-specific needs, including sour service (NACE), high-temperature, or cryogenic conditions.