High-Density Polyethylene or HDPE pipe is a flexible plastic pipe which is used in a physically demanding environment to transport things from water to natural gas on landfills. They are made to sustain high-pressure pipelines and are very durable. Its use in multiple applications like irrigation, water mains, gas mains, drainage system, and other fields has increased its demand worldwide.
Generally, HDPE pipes are used underground as it has very high flow capacity. Unlike other pipes, HDPE pipe doesn’t get affected by the environment, and it maintains its flow capabilities for a long time. The pipe has a very important value, and while installing, we must weld them together in a proper to get the utmost usage from it. So, here is a simple step to help you with HDPE pipe fusion.
Safety Warnings
Before taking over any work, it is important to keep precaution in mind, and the same applies to HDPE pipe fusion as well. You must know, what are you are doing and how to operate all the equipment before starting the fusions. To help you out with safety while on work, you can follow simple tips enlisted below.
-Remember not to stick your fingers between pipes while sliding.
-Remember to lock shaver in place before using. If you left them unlocked, then shavers will spring loose of the pit bull and can be problematic.
-Remember not to touch shaver while using it.
-Do not touch the hot plate with bare hands; use the handle.
-For some equipment, it may require the use of power cords with a very long length. So, don’t make the working environment messy and keep things out of the way and tied up as much as possible. Things lying around will cause tripping and falling, and when you are dealing with 350-degree hot plates and pipe shavers, it is more important to look in precautions.
Preparation Direction
Now that you know the safety tips let us move into the preparation direction of fusing HDPE pipes. You will need equipment and materials for the process and make sure they are all laid out and kept in a visible area. Here is the list of general equipment for the generic weld.
-Hot plate
-Pipe shaver
-McElroy Pit Bull
-Timekeeping device
-Electricity
Well, above are the list of general equipment and now, below are the general materials.
-HDPE pipes
-HDPE pipe/fitting of the equal diameter of the first pipe
Remember before beginning the whole welding process, plug in the hot plate and turn in to 350 degrees F. It is done so that no waiting is involved when the hot plate is needed later and do not touch the hot plate face.
Fusing Directions
Fusing is the main part, and you have to know the whole process to do it correctly.
-First, place a pipe in McElroy Pit Bull and fasten it down tightly. Also, the pipe should not be angled in any direction while it is placed in Pit Bull.
-Now place another pipe of the same diameter as first on the other side of Pit Bull and fasten the pipe, so it is tight enough to slide with the sliding tool on Pit Bull.
-Place HDPE pipe fitting of the same diameter into other side of Pit Bull and fasten it as well.
-After placing pipes and pipe fitting, slide them together to where they look attached. Make sure the connection form both sides is right and see from the top if they need any adjustment before welding.
-After the pipes look flushed together, slide them back apart and attach pipe shaver to Pit Bull with each arm of shaver fitting neatly into the bars of Pit Bull. When you attach the second area, it will automatically lock into place.
-Now, after the pipe shaver is locked into place, place it in the middle of two pipes without touching either of them. Turn the shaver and slide the pipes into pipe shaver. You will see small strands of pipe appearing from the shaver but just continue shaving until long strands appears about the circumference of the pipe. It is done to ensure each side has been shaved cleanly and flat.
-After the long strands appear, keep the shaver turned on and slide the pipes away from the shaver. When the shaver is in no longer contact with the pipe, you can turn off the shaver.
-When you are done with pipe shave, slide them together again to make sure the shaver has done its job.
-But if the pipes are flush, slide them apart again. You must do this quickly to ensure efficiency and quality. Remove the hot plate from the glove and place it where the shaver was on Pit Bull. Now, slide the pipes, so they are flush to the hot plate, lock the Pit Bull into place, and wait for 2:00 for pipes between 1 and 4, which includes all sizes that fit in Pit Bull.
-Then around 1:30 you will see a small bead appearing form pipe at point of contact with the hot plate. You must do this step as quickly as you can. Then at 2:00, unlock the Pit Bull, remove the hot plate and slide pipes and fitting together and press so one bead rolls into the pipe from each side looking like a pair of lips. Now, lock the pipe into place using the same feature as the hot plate step and wait 3:00 for the pipe to cool and fuse.
-The process is almost to an end now. After 3:00, you can unlock Pi Bull and remove the fused pipe, and your work is done.