What are the performance specifications of electrofusion fittings? How should they be stored?

　　 Electrofusion Fittings What are the performance specifications? How should it be stored?

　　Electrofusion fittings, used in gas and water supply pipelines, are widely applied. When selecting from a wide range of electrofusion fittings, users need only verify the following performance specifications.

　　1. Appearance

　　PE Electrofusion Fittings Both the inner and outer surfaces shall be clean and smooth, with no sink marks, obvious depressions, or color inconsistencies. The two ends of the PE electrofusion fitting shall be cut squarely and perpendicular to the pipe axis. Qualified PE electrofusion fittings must meet these appearance requirements.

　　2. Size

　　The dimensions of PE electrofusion fittings shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 13663.3-2018, with a typical dimensional tolerance of no more than 0.1 mm.

　　3. Degree of Oxidation

　　There is a specialized parameter for assessing the oxidation level of PE electrofusion fittings, known as the oxidation induction time. The oxidation induction time shall be no less than 20 minutes, and the oxidation onset temperature shall not exceed 200°C.

　　4. Ash Content

　　The ash content of PE electrofusion fittings shall comply with the GB/T 9345.1-2008 standard, with a specified limit of less than 0.1%.

　　5. Hydraulic Strength

　　PE Electrofusion Fittings The static hydraulic strength is classified into two standards depending on the temperature. When the temperature is between 20°C and 70°C, the failure time must exceed 100 hours, with no damage or leakage, thereby meeting the strength requirement. When the temperature exceeds 80°C, the damage time must be greater than 1,000 hours, and no damage or leakage is permitted.

　　6. Tensile Toughness

　　The tensile toughness of PE electrofusion fittings shall be tested until failure occurs. When selecting such products, the relevant inspection standards should be clearly indicated on the product surface; typically, these are the GB/T 19810 series standards.

　　There are many precautions to observe when storing and maintaining electrofusion fittings. Let’s take a look at the storage guidelines below.

　　1. Electrofusion fittings are made of corrosion-resistant materials and have relatively low storage requirements. During storage, they should be kept in a well-ventilated warehouse with the temperature maintained below 40°C. If stored outdoors, it is advisable to erect a simple shelter and place the fittings on an elevated surface, avoiding prolonged direct contact with the ground.

　　2. Keep away from open flames, flammable materials, storage areas for toxic chemical gases, and products that may chemically react with polyethylene. If the material is to be stored for an extended period, it should be covered. For long-term storage in humid environments, desiccants may be added.

　　3. When electrofusion fittings are stacked on the opposite side, with a stacking height not exceeding 1.5 m and a total quantity exceeding 300 pieces, it is advisable not to stack them higher than three layers. During handling, non-metallic straps may be used for bundling; care must be taken during bundling to avoid deformation. Dragging and dropping are strictly prohibited.

　　When electrofusion fittings are buried deep underground or in areas where excavation of a trench is impractical, trenchless rehabilitation of that section is required—meaning maintenance must be carried out by bypassing the affected segment. However, bypassing the segment does not imply that no maintenance is performed; rather, after consultation with the relevant authorities, the damaged section can be bypassed or circumvented, rendered inoperative, and replaced with new fittings.

　　When electrofusion fittings are damaged or contaminated and cannot be moved, repair can be carried out using bent PE repair sections and the loop method. For damage in special underwater locations, repairs can be made using joints and electrofusion fitting repair sections; in some complex elevated areas, capacitor-assisted welding may be employed. During maintenance, particular attention should be paid to the selection of electrofusion fitting repair sections. The choice of maintenance section groups is highly specific to the application, and a wide variety of options are available. Different maintenance section groups should be selected to address different types of issues.