Morris, Gill
# 1992 Eindhoven
The introduction of a new grade of polyethylene for pressure pipes has presented a challenge to the UK Water Industry. Some aspects of the performance of the pipe itself are claimed to be significantly better than those of existing MDPE grades which would offer significant economic and operational benefits. However, there has been a need to ensure that fusion joints can be made that do not provide a point of weakness within the pipeline. Results from this investigation are presented.
The UK Water Industry is a major user of plastic pipelines both for the delivery of raw and processed water and for the disposal of sewage and waste water. With the increased performance of current pipe grades of polyethylenes (PE) there is a corresponding need to produce joints that consistently perform as near to the pipe itself as is possible under UK operating conditions.
