TYPES OF JOINT

The following are some typical joints:

BUTT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TEE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CORNER

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LAP

PLATE EDGE PREPARATION FOR BUTT WELDS

The illustrations show standard terminology for the various features of plate edge preparations.

Square edged closed butt

strip
3 mm sheet, 3 mm - plate
backing
removed)

Backing bar - ceramic or copper

(copper can cause loquation cracking)

Square edged open butt with backing

(considerations - penetration control,
strip of the same material and usually

Fusible insert - electric bolt (e.b)

(uses TIG process)

Single V

Single bevel

Double V

Double bevel

Single J

Single U

Double J

Double U
included angle
bevel angle
bevel angle

sidewall
face

width

radius
root face

root gap

land

FEATURES OF A COMPLETED WELD

A butt weld in plate, made by welding from both sides, has two weld faces and four toes. In a full
penetration weld made from one side, the protruding weld on the underside is called the
penetration bead, which also has two toes. The root is defined (BS 499) as the zone on the side of
the first run farthest from the welder.
toe

face

toe

root
toe

face

toe

If a weld is sectioned, polished and etched, the fusion boundary can be established. Metal lying
between the two fusion boundaries is weld metal - a mixture of deposited metal and plate metal
that has been melted. The fusion zone is the area of highest dilution between filler metal and
parent plate. Adjacent to the fusion boundary is the heat affected zone (HAZ), in which the plate
material has had its metallurgical structure modified by the heat of welding.
excess
weld metal
fusion zone
throat

fusion boundary / line

HAZ

Excess weld metal is the correct term, not weld reinforcement. Excess weld metal lying
outside the plane joining the toes of the weld.
Fillet welds have similar features.
toes
face
fusion boundary
root

HAZ

The shape of a fillet in cross-section is described in three terms.

Mitre fillet

Convex fillet

Concave fillet

A convex fillet has a poor toe blend - greater notch effect and sharper angle at toe, not used in
fatigue situations. A concave fillet has a better toe blend for fatigue situations, however a reduced
throat. The concave weld may be made by welding alone or by subsequent grinding.