mark heathcote
Mark has over 30 experience in the pipe industry initially in asset owner roles, then as an asset management consultant before moving to roles in PIPA and now back as a consultant. He has represented industry on numerous occasions and as an industry advocate across a wide range of stakeholders. He continues to play an active role within PIPA in aspects of Corporate Governance and technical developments and for this project was engaged by Polymer Direct.
ABSTRACt
ID29
Case Study - Fusion parameters for large diameter PE pipes
Case Study - Fusion parameters for large diameter PE pipes
Mark Heathcote - Polymer Direct
Lucy Croker - Vinidex
Matthew Hynes - Iplex Pipelines
Matthew Pearson - GEM Industrial
In 2023 PIPA undertook an extensive revision of their Industry Guidance document known as POP003 Butt Fusion Jointing of PE Pipes and Fittings – Recommended Parameters and Practices. This revision introduced a new section providing additional guidance around best practices for butt fusion. One of the best practice elements focussed on optimising the fusion parameters particularly as PE pipelines are increasingly being used in larger diameter critical applications.
A group of PIPA members collaborated to examine the impact of differing parameters within the ISO21307 Plastics pipes and fittings — Butt fusion jointing procedures for polyethylene (PE) piping systems. The work specifically focussed on the single high pressure fusion envelope to see if additional detail could be provided in relation to optimising outcomes. A DN800 SDR11 PE100 pipe was fused using a range of different parameters, sectioned and destructively tested.
This paper details the outcome of that work and draws conclusions about fusion of large diameter PE100 pipe.