What Does
Circumferential Weld Mean?
A circumferential weld is a type of weld that is used to join two round objects around their circumference. A circumferential weld can be carried out by many different types of welding processes, and a variety of material diameters and material types can be joined together by a circumferential weld. The weld area may be prone to corrosion.
Corrosionpedia Explains Circumferential Weld
A circumferential weld consists of joining two round objects together by butting them up along their circumferences and coalescing the material at their faying surfaces. This is quite a bit different from another type of round object welding, known as longitudinal welding. Longitudinal welding is when a plate or sheet of metal is formed into a circle and the faying surfaces are coalesced so that the plate is converted into tubing. A longitudinally welded tube may be subsequently joined with another longitudinally welded tube by butting their circumferences up to one another and performing a circumferential weld.
A circumferential weld can be subject to corrosion. The inside of the tubing or pipe can collect debris around the weld area, increasing the risk of corrosion. Furthermore, the material properties of the tubing or pipe near the circumferential weld area could be altered during the weld process, allowing different types of corrosion to occur around the weld, both on the inside diameter and the outside diameter. It may be necessary to apply a coating to the circumferential weld area after the welding has been performed to protect the weld.