Arctic Insulation and Manufacturing offers  independent testing for both  HDPE Butt Fusion joints  and Electro fusion couplings.  Our field technicians have been trained , and qualified by McElroy Manufacturing, and Central Plastics Company.  Technicians are available  for field gathering of samples  if required or HDPE butt fusion and or electro fusion samples  can be sent directly to our test facility located in Big Lake Alaska .

 

Field Technician for gathering of  fusion samples.              $1000.00 per day
plus all expenses. Technician is on a eight hour day.

Butt Fusion Bend Back Test with test report.                       $25.00 (Per sample)

Butt Fusion Tensile Test with test report.                              $50.00 (Per sample)

Electro Fusion Lab Vise Test with test report.                      $50.00 (Per sample)

 

McElroy Butt fussing and Central Plastics Electro Fusion Training both in house and or field  training .

Field Technician for In Field Training.                                                                                          $1000.00 per day
plus all expenses.  Technician is on a eight hour day.

In House Training. (Anchorage, or Big Lake Alaska.)

McElroy Butt fusion Training with written test and one year qualification.                              $250.00 per test.

McElroy Side Wall Butt Fusion Training with written test and one year qualification.          $250.00 per test.

McElroy Data Logger Training, with written test and one year qualification.                           $250.00 per test.

McElroy In Field Tensile Tester with written test and one year qualification.                         $150.00 per test.

Central Plastics Electro Fusion Training  with written test and one year qualification.         $250.00 per test.

PROCESS FOR TESTING FUSION WELD SAMPLES 

1. Receive paper work and samples from AIM training technician.
2. Prepare sample for testing:
   1.  Coupon for tensile test or
   2. 1” strip for butt fusion bend back weld test.
   3. Tensile test coupon to placed in hydraulic pull tester.  Tensile sample to be pulled apart and record results.
   4. Option b cut a 1”- 1 ½” wide strip from fusion area with a minimum length of 6” or 1.5 times the pipe O.D. from center line of weld on each side, slowly bend strip to were the two ends touch record results.
   5. Testing of a electro  fusion coupler is done by cutting sample in half placing into a vice were coupling is 1-1/4” above vice jaws squeeze pipe together and check to see if there is any separation in the heat area do other side and record results.
   6. Test sample is recorded as a pass (Ductile) if sample separates in pipe wall. Test sample is recorded as a fail (Brittle)if sample separates at the butt weld joint.
   7. If a butt fusion weld fails in a brittle manner another sample will be taken 180 degrees from first sample and re-test, if this test fails client will be notified.
   8. A complete written report will be issued within (7) working days from the time of the fusion being tuned in.

All reports are keep on file at Arctic Insulation and Manufacturing’s QA office, for four years.

SCOPE

Butt and saddle  fusion joining of PE pipe is a relatively simple, forgiving, and dependable process. However, as with any kind of pipe installation, proper procedures and diligence must always be used to consistently make satisfactory joints.  Fusion machine operators should demonstrate an aptitude for using mechanical equipment and be generally familiar with laying pipe.  They should have a demonstrated ability to follow procedures and be conscientious in their work. The amount of time it takes to provide the specified training can vary greatly and depends on the number of individuals being trained as well as their aptitude and willingness to follow directions.  However, participants shall not be considered “trained” until they have demonstrated proficiency on at least two test joints made under circumstances and field conditions representative or similar to those of the project.

The McElroy DataLogger used in conjunction McElroy Hydraulic Fusion Machines will, Record and document key parameters of the fusion process. It will create a joint report that can be saved, viewed, analyzed, printed, and transferred to a desktop computer for archiving.

Saddle Fusion Process for McElroy Hand Operated Equipment
Sidewinder Fusion Machine Up To 4” Branch Saddles

Scope

The program undertaken by the PPI Task Group for the testing of representative materials under a generic set of conditions was designed to reflect the fusion conditions and parameters specified in most joining procedures recommended by pipe producers and qualified by pipeline operators.  It produced a PPI Technical Report (TR-33/99) that reflects a Generic Butt Fusion Procedure that most of the Polyethylene Gas Pipe manufacturer’s recommend. At the conclusion of the butt fusion phase of the program, the task group started its testing to develop a Generic Saddle Fusion Procedure that is based on common interfacial pressures and heater adapter surface temperatures. In anticipation of a change in the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) and the design factor from .32 to .40, it was felt that this procedure was needed to insure safety in saddle fusion on live gas mains. It was intended to provide a technical basis for the development of a proposed generic saddle fusion procedure (see Appendix A) that can be offered to the industry for use with selected PE piping products.  The procedure would be available for use by pipeline operators who would determine whether the procedure is appropriate for their use with the PE piping products they employ.  Pipeline operators may consider recommendations and testing performed by others in their efforts to comply with the fusion procedure qualification requirements of 49 C.F.R. § Part 192.283 (Plastic pipe; qualifying joining procedures).

Butt Fusion Process for McElroy

Small Diameter Hand Operated Equipment

MiniMc Fusion Machine ½” CTS – 1” IPS

1 LC Fusion Machine ½” CTS – 1” IPS

2 LC & 2CU Fusion Machine ½” CTS – 2” IPS

14 Fusion Machine 1” IPS – 4” DIPS

26 Fusion Machine 2” IPS – 6”DIPS

SCOPE

Butt fusion joining of PE pipe is a relatively simple, forgiving, and dependable process. However, as with any kind of pipe installation, proper procedures and diligence must always be used to consistently make satisfactory joints.  Fusion machine operators should demonstrate an aptitude for using mechanical equipment and be generally familiar with laying pipe.  They should have a demonstrated ability to follow procedures and be conscientious in their work. The amount of time it takes to provide the specified training can vary greatly and depends on the number of individuals being trained as well as their aptitude and willingness to follow directions.  However, participants shall not be considered “trained” until they have demonstrated proficiency on at least two test joints made under circumstances and field conditions representative or similar to those of the project.

Butt Fusion Process for McElroy
Mid-Range Hydraulic Operated Equipment

No. 28/250 Class Machine 2” IPS – 8” DIPS
No. 412/618 Class Machine 4” IPS – 16” O.D.
No. 500 Class Machine 6” IPS – 20” O.D.

SCOPE

Butt fusion joining of PE pipe is a relatively simple, forgiving, and dependable process. However, as with any kind of pipe installation, proper procedures and diligence must always be used to consistently make satisfactory joints. Fusion machine operators should demonstrate an aptitude for using mechanical equipment and be generally familiar with laying pipe. They should have a demonstrated ability to follow procedures and be conscientious in their work. The amount of time it takes to provide the specified training can vary greatly and depends on the number of individuals being trained as well as their aptitude and willingness to follow directions. However, participants shall not be considered “trained” until they have demonstrated proficiency on at least two test joints made under circumstances and field conditions representative or similar to those of the project.