Electrofusion Joining Technology for Polyethylene Pipes Using Carbon Fiber

Abstract

Fuel gas is an important energy source that is being increasingly used because of the convenience and clean energy provided. Natural gas is supplied to consumers safely through an underground gas-pipe network made of a polyethylene material. In electrofusion, which is one of the joining methods used, copper wire is used as the heating wire. However, it takes a long time for fusion to occur because the electrical resistance of copper is low. In this study, therefore, electrofusion was conducted by replacing the copper heating wire with carbon fiber to reduce the fusion time and improve the production when joining large pipes. Fusion and tensile tests were performed after the electrofusion joint was made in the polyethylene pipe using carbon fiber. The results showed that the fusion time was shorter and the temperature inside the pipe was higher with an increase in the current value. The ultimate tensile strength of specimens was higher than that of virgin polyethylene pipe, except for polyethylene pipes joined using a current of 0.8 A. The best fusion current value was 0.9 or 1.0 A because of the short fusion time and lack of transformation inside the pipe. Thus, it was shown that carbon fiber can be used to replace the copper heating wire.