What are the compatibility requirements for electrofusion fittings?

The compatibility requirements for electrofusion fittings primarily include the following aspects:

Time:

2026-07-31

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The compatibility requirements for electrofusion fittings primarily include the following aspects:

Material Compatibility

The material grades of the pipe and the electrofusion fitting (e.g., PE80, PE100) should ideally be identical. When different material grades are used, the following wall thickness relationship must be met:

PE80 fitting with PE100 pipe: Fitting wall thickness E ≥ 0.8 × pipe wall thickness en

PE100 fitting with PE80 pipe: Fitting wall thickness E ≥ en / 0.8

Additionally, pipes and fittings with different Melt Flow Rates (MFR) can be joined via electrofusion, provided their compatibility has been verified.

Pressure Rating Compatibility

The pressure rating of the electrofusion fitting must be no less than that of the connected pipe. For example, a PE80 12bar electrofusion fitting can be used with a PE100 SDR17 (10bar) pipe, but it must not be used with a PE100 SDR11 (16bar) pipe.

SDR (Standard Dimension Ratio) Compatibility

The applicable SDR range of the pipe must be verified for the electrofusion fitting. For instance, PE pipes with SDR11 and SDR17.6 can be connected using electrofusion fittings, but it is mandatory to ensure that the applicable SDR range marked on the fitting covers the specific pipe being used.

Dimensional Compatibility

Outer Diameter: The inner diameter of the fitting socket and the outer diameter of the pipe must match precisely. An excessively large gap can lead to the displacement of the heating wire and uneven heating, while an excessively small gap can make pipe insertion difficult or cause scratches on the inner wall.

Out-of-Roundness: The insertion end of the pipe must fall within the tolerance range specified by the fitting manufacturer. If it exceeds this range, a rounding tool must be used for correction.

Insertion Depth: A marking line for the insertion depth must be drawn on the outer surface of the pipe to ensure it is fully inserted into the fitting.

Application Compatibility

PE gas fittings and PE water supply fittings must not be used interchangeably. Gas fittings are designed with a safety factor of 4, whereas water supply fittings have a safety factor of 1.5. They are governed by different standards (Gas fittings comply with GB/T15558.2, while water supply fittings comply with GB/T13663.2).

More Information

What are the most critical construction steps during the electrofusion welding process?

The core of electrofusion welding lies in "cleaning, scraping, alignment, fixing, and cooling." Among these, scraping off the oxide layer is the most critical step.

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What are the key requirements for matching electrofusion fittings with pipes?

Same polymer family: Fittings and pipes must be polyethylene (PE). Do not mix PE with PVC, PP or other plastics.