High Density Polyethylene HDPE Pipe is a commonly used piping material, suitable for a variety of applications, such as water supply, industrial water, drainage, chemical fluid transportation, etc. HDPE pipe is mainly connected by HDPE pipe fittings, How to install HDPE pipe fittings is the topic of concern for most customers. This article will introduce several common HDPE pipe fittings installation methods: hot melt connection, mechanical connection, electrofusion connection, socket connection, and heat shrink connection.
How to install HDPE pipe fittings?
Methods of installing HDPE pipe fittings include heat fusion connection, electro-thermal fusion connection, heat fusion threaded connection, heat fusion plug connection, heat shrinkage connection, and mechanical connection.
1. The hot melt connection method is the most commonly used method and involves heating the orifices of two HDPE pipes until they melt, then quickly touching them together to complete the connection after cooling. This method is suitable for smaller-diameter pipes with good sealing and firmness.
2. The electric heat fusion connection method uses an electric heating plate to heat the orifice of the HDPE pipe until it melts, which is suitable for pipes with larger diameters and realizes automatic temperature control to ensure the quality of the connection.
3. The heat fusion thread connection method utilizes heat fusion technology to connect HDPE pipes with metal threaded fittings, which is suitable for solving the problem of connecting HDPE pipes with metal pipe fittings.
4. The hot melt plug connection method involves heating the nozzle of the HDPE pipe and the socket of HDPE pipe fittings until they melt, and then quickly plugging them together, which is suitable for connecting multiple pipes.
5. The heat-shrinkage connection method utilizes heat shrinkage technology to shrink the HDPE pipe fittings onto the HDPE pipe and is suitable for occasions where a quick connection is required.
6. The mechanical connection method connects HDPE pipes with HDPE fittings through mechanical connectors without heating, suitable for avoiding pipe deformation and some special cases.
The selection of a suitable connection method should be based on the pipe diameter, engineering requirements, construction conditions, and other factors for comprehensive consideration.
How to choose between a hot melt connection and an electrofusion connection for HDPE pipe fittings?
Characteristics of hot fusion connection
It is done by heating the two end surfaces of the welding material, so that it reaches the melting temperature, quickly fits, and cools under a certain pressure, to achieve the purpose of a fusion connection. The advantages of this type of connection are:
1, because it does not use electrofusion fittings, it can reduce the cost of the project;
2, the connection process is simple and easy to learn, but there are certain disadvantages, such as vulnerability to the environment, human factors affecting the fusion effect; hot melt equipment investment is higher than the electrofusion welder, and volume and weight is larger;
Features of electrofusion connection
Is pre-buried in the electrofusion fittings on the inner surface of the resistance wire energized heat, so that the inner surface of the electrofusion fittings and the outer surface of the socketed pipe to reach the melting temperature, and at the same time generate pressure, cooling fused together to achieve fusion purpose. The advantages of this connection are:
1, applicable to all specifications size pipe;
2, low investment in equipment, low maintenance costs;
3, connection operation is simple and easy to grasp, high construction efficiency;
4, keep the pipe wall smooth, does not affect the flow;
5, high reliability of the weld port, the only disadvantage is the need for pipe fittings to connect, increasing costs.
Specific selection needs to be based on the actual application to select the appropriate connection.
