What type of weld is used to join round or formed metal parts?

The appropriate type of weld used to join round or formed metal parts is a flare-groove weld. This type of weld is particularly effective for connecting cylindrical components, such as pipes or tubes, where the joint needs to be strong and seamless. Flare-groove welds involve melting the edges of the parts being joined and allowing a filler material to flow into the joint, which is usually at a specific angle that accommodates the round shape of the materials involved.

While fillet welds, butt welds, and lap welds have their own applications, they are typically used for joining flat edges or surfaces rather than round or curved components. Fillet welds create a triangular cross-section and are suitable for joining two surfaces at a right angle. Butt welds are used when two pieces of metal are joined end to end. Lap welds are used to join overlapping plates. These other types of welds do not offer the design efficiency needed for round parts, making flare-groove welds the most suitable choice in this scenario.