Abstract

Fatigue and squeeze tests have been undertaken to investigate if electro- fusion couplers can be used to joint cross-linked polyethylene pipes . Two types of polyethylene pipes, each with 63 mm outside diameter and 5 .8 mm wall thickness, are irradiated to various doses (5-200kGy) and are joined by electrofusion method . According to experimental results, the gel content varies with dose . All joints have passed the sgeeze test, regardless of the gel content of the pipes radiation . All joints have also passed 170 h of fatigue loading which is an indication of a reasonable joint strength . The results with cross-linked PE pipe further indicate the flexibility bf electrofusion jointing, showing again that the process is able to joint a very wide range of polyethylene resins . Electrofusion welding necessitates only a few manual actions from the operator . However, it is essential that these are carried out carefully . The key to success is the joints preparation.