The butt fusion method, which falls under the larger area of plastic welding, includes a pair of separate plastic components, commonly two tubes or a tube and a covering. This approach was primarily used with polyethylene in the past, although polypropylene has recently expanded at an exponential rate. Nonetheless, most thermoplastic tubes are usually included in the procedure.
Before melting, an electrical heating plate is used to apply heat to the ends of both sections at the same time. After that, a heating plate is removed, and tension is applied for a set amount of time, resulting in "welded beads." The joint has a generic appearance when properly designed, which is widely utilized for safety tests or audits. While the specifics of temperature, stress and duration alter depending on the polymeric material, the basics remain the same.
A butt fusion welding technique is utilized in bigger tubing to carefully monitor many additional aspects such as ovality and orientation, surface squareness, heat soak duration and heat plate temperature, to name a few.
It's also crucial to ensure that your materials and work surfaces are free of contaminants, and that all vital conditions are met in order to get a high-quality joint. All of these factors are frequently blended if properly built and maintained equipment is utilized by a qualified and certified joiner. Once a suitable welded joining procedure has been conducted successfully, it will be as powerful and ductile as the original pipe.
McElroy Parts provides technically advanced, dependable, sturdy and efficient pipe fusion equipment solutions. Our versatile tools are designed to be used for just about any project and we have a team of professionals thoroughly trained in working with McElroy parts and equipment, including McElroy Certified Instructors and McElroy Certified Master Mechanics. For information on McElroy fusion parts please fill out the form on our McElroy Parts Finder page.