ASME B31.

4-2019

Figure 434.8.6-2 Acceptable Butt Welded Joint Design for Unequal Wall Thicknesses

GENERAL NOTES:
(a) The illustrations in Figure 434.8.6-2 illustrate acceptable preparations for joining pipe ends having unequal wall thicknesses and/or mate-
rials of unequal specified minimum yield strength by butt welding.
(b) The wall thickness of the pipes to be joined, beyond the joint design area, shall comply with the design requirements of this Code.
(c) When the specified minimum yield strengths ofthe pipes to be joined are unequal, the deposited weld metal shall have mechanical properties
at least equal to those of the pipe having the higher strength.
(d) The transition between ends of unequal thickness may be accomplished by taper or welding as illustrated or by means of a prefabricated
transition nipple not less than one-half pipe diameter in length.
(e) Sharp notches or grooves at the edge of the weld where it joins a slanted surface shall be avoided.
(f) For joining pipes of unequal wall thicknesses and equal specified minimum yield strengths, the rules given herein apply, except there is no
minimum angle limit to the taper.
(g) The effective weld throat, t , shall be used for determining postweld heat treatment requirements.
W

NOTES:
(1) No minimum when materials joined have equal yield strength [see General Note (f)] .
(2) Maximum thickness, t , for design purposes shall not be greater than 1.5 t.
D

(3) In tern al Diam eters Un equal

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(a) Ifthe nominal wall thicknesses ofthe adjoining pipe ends do not vary more than ∕32 in. (2.5 mm), no special treatment is necessary, provided full

penetration and bond are accomplished in welding. See illustration (a).

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(b) Where the nominal internal offset is more than ∕3 2 in. (2.5 mm) and there is no access to the inside ofthe pipe for welding, the transition shall be

made by a taper cut on the inside end of the thicker pipe. See illustration (b). The taper angle shall not be steeper than 30 deg nor less than 14 deg.
(c) Where the nominal internal offset is more than one-half the wall thickness of the thinner pipe, and there is access to the inside of the pipe for

welding, the transition may be made with a taper cut on the inside end ofthe thicker pipe [see illustration (b)] , or by a combination taper weld to one-half
the wall thickness of the thinner pipe and a taper cut from that point [see illustration (d)] .
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(d) For hoop stresses of more than 20% of the specified minimum yield strength of the pipe, where the nominal internal offset is more than ∕32 in.

(2.5 mm) but does not exceed one-halfthe wall thickness ofthe thinner pipe, and there is access to the inside ofthe pipe for welding, the transition may be
made wih a tapered weld. See illustration (c). The land on the thicker pipe shall be equal to the offset plus the land on abutting pipe.
(4) External Diam eters Un equal
(a) Where the external offset does not exceed one-half the wall thickness of the thinner pipe, the transition may be made by welding [see

illustration (e)] , provided the angle of rise of the weld surface does not exceed 30 deg and both bevel edges are properly fused.

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