Test for bonded sleeves at plastics pipe joints, for gas or water pressure supplies, applies heat to sleeve, followed by readings of heat field, shown by color changes at test unit to confirm a fault-free bond or indicate a fault

摘要

To test the bond of bonded sleeves at the joints between plastics pipes, a heater applies heat at 40-70 deg C to the sleeve, then the heater is removed and a test unit is applied. Thermography readings are taken of heat field, which indicate a fault-free bond or a fault by color changes at test unit. The test unit is in place for 1-4 minutes. To test the bond of welded or adhesive-bonded sleeves at the joints between plastics pipes, the sleeve (3) is shrouded by a heater (4) in a tight, secure and positive fit. The delivered heat (6) is at a test temperature of 40-70 deg C, preferably 50 deg C. The heater (4) is removed and, directly after, a test unit is applied to the sleeve (3) in a tight, secure and positive fit. The heated field from the heat flow to the polyethylene pipes (1,2) is shown at an indicator using thermography. The indicator uses a reversible thermo-color embedded in a plastics foam, with a tightly limited color change temperature of 1 deg K or a reversible indicator carrier, placed in the test unit. The indicator gives a consistent colored and geometric isotherm image of a fault-free bond between the socket and the pipes, and an inconsistent image to show a faulty bond. The test unit is in place at the sleeve for a test duration of 1-4 minutes, preferably 2 minutes.