Technical Reference on Crossfusion Joining of Polyethylene Pipe Materials Used inGas Distribution Systems. Final Report, November 1992-November 1994

摘要

The objective of this research was to evaluate the possibility of classifying gasdistribution polyethylene (PE) pipeline materials with respect to crossfusion compatibility. A variety of PE materials is used in gas distribution piping. Heat fusion is widely used to join PE gas distribution piping. 'Crossfusion' is the process of fusing different materials. There is uncertainty about the appropriate joining conditions for materials for which manufacturers' guidelines are unavailable. If materials could be classified into groups with respect to their crossfusion compatibility, materials in any one group could be fused at one set of conditions. Furthermore, materials in different groups could be fused at a set of conditions determined by the two groups rather than the two materials. The specific approach was to obtain and analyze the physical properties of the five materials most extensively used by New York Gas Group (NYGAS) and then to classify the materials into groups with similar properties. For butt joints and saddle joints, the joint strength could be correlated with a parameter based on material properties and joining conditions. This analysis resulted in a particular example of classification of the materials that were tested. The study suggests that a methodology based on classifying polyethylene gas distribution pipeline materials according to similarity of properties is possible and beneficial.