Do-it-yourself welding of polyethylene pipes: how to weld, technology

Do-it-yourself welding of polyethylene pipes is carried out using a soldering iron with a coupling. It is first necessary to clean the surfaces from dirt and grease stains. A complete description of the process and common welding techniques can be found in this article.

General recommendations for welding

Welding a polyethylene pipe is performed in different ways, but to obtain the desired result it is important to follow several rules:

1. Use only high-quality products that have certificates of conformity. Otherwise, they will not fit together well, and the structure will turn out to be fragile.
2. The internal clearances (cross-sectional diameters) of different segments must completely coincide with an accuracy of 1 mm.
3. Regardless of the chosen pipe, both ends of it are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and degreased before welding.
4. The procedure is carried out only in a room with moderate humidity and without drafts. It is better not to work outdoors.
5. After both elements are connected, it is necessary to ensure complete immobility until complete cooling.
6. You also need to work away from the window so that direct sunlight does not fall on the pipes.

Socket welding

One of the methods for welding polyethylene pipes is called coupling (that is, welding into a socket). This is due to the fact that in this case a household soldering iron with a coupling is used, where the pipes are inserted. Moreover, their diameter should be no more than 63 mm.

The sequence of actions during operation is as follows:

1. Place the welding machine on the platform and fix the legs.
2. Place a nozzle of the appropriate diameter on the heating surface.
3. Adjust the temperature in the range of 220-230 degrees.
4. The prepared and cleaned pipes are attached to nozzles and allowed to hold for literally 5 seconds so that the plastic melts.
5. Immediately after this, you need to connect the two fragments until they stop with a confident but gentle movement and hold for 10-15 seconds.

Electrofusion welding

This type of welding is used if pipes have different parameters - wall thickness, outer and inner diameter. It is also used during the installation of a sewer system. The technology is quite complex, so certain skills are required. The main stages are:

1. Prepare the pipes, clean them from dirt and grease stains.
2. Clean the internal surfaces of the electric coupling. To do this, it is best to use wipes that are soaked in industrial alcohol.
3. The ends of the pipes are cut evenly so that the edges are strictly perpendicular.
4. Place the pipes at the joints, put on an electric coupling and adjust the temperature in the range of 220-230 degrees.
5. Connect both fragments together and hold for several seconds. Allow to cool completely so as not to displace the fresh seam.

Butt welding

Pipes can also be butt welded. For this purpose, special equipment is used - a mechanical or hydraulic drive. Essentially, this is professional welding that allows you to get a perfectly even joint. The main stages are:

1. Selection and preparation of the surface of pipes (it is best to take products from one pair, that is, perfectly identical).
2. Place the ends of the pipe on the plate and heat it at a temperature of 220-230 degrees.
3. Squeeze and hold for a few seconds.

Then the pipes are allowed to sit until they cool completely. Thus, the technology considered is suitable only for professional purposes, since it requires the use of special equipment. At home, products are welded using a regular soldering iron with a coupling.