Butt welding is the principal method for creating a join between two ends of material. This can include but is not limited to various metals, plastics and other materials. A butt weld requires three key elements under carefully controlled parameters - these include temperature, time and pressure. Application Butt welding is a commonly used technique in welding that can either be automated or done by hand. It is used to attach two materials together such as pipe, framework in factories, and also flanges. A flange is something that either is internal or external that provided to strengthen a piece of material. In factories butt welding has shown how economical it can be for companies to use when building things out of metal. This is because if they wanted to make something out of metal without welding it together they would have to bend everything and reinforce the structure which costs more than welding the two pieces together. Butt welding is accomplished by heating up two pieces of identical material, and applying pressure under a controlled period of time. Butt welding metal requires maintained penetration while welding, and with thin pieces this is possible however, with thick pieces edge preparation may have to be done to prepare the metal. Full penetration butt welds are made when they are in the within the parent(bigger, stronger) metal. Butt welding of plastics requires a machine, in order to align the ends and heat under a controlled temperature and pressure. In butt welding, the strongest welds are those with the best execution of the three key elements (temperature, time and pressure). Butt welding metal Metal butt welding is best performed with MIG or TIG welding applications due to their natural ability to connect two pieces of metal together. Using different types of welding electrodes for the welder will determine the properties of the weld such as its resistance against corrosion and strength. Electrodes conduct current through the metal being welded in order join the two pieces. The metal determines the type of welding that is required. The electrodes are either heavily or lightly coated. For the heavily coated electrodes are commonly used in structural welding because they are much stronger and corrosion resistant. The lightly coated electrodes are not as structurally sound. Butt welding is performed with the Arc, TIG, or MIG welder held at a slight angle the weld if the weld is laying