Non-Destructive Testing of Electrofusion Welds for Gas and Water Distribution Networks

Plastic pipelines are an integral part of utility infrastructure. For quality assessment of electrofusion welds on construction sites, welds are removed on a random-sampling basis and mechanically tested in a shear or peel test. As only a small proportion of the welds carried out is inspected in this way, a non-destructive testing (NDT) method is to be investigated that could enable comprehensive and reliable quality assurance of electrofusion joints in construction-site use. The investigations conducted here have shown that NDT methods have the potential to detect flaws in electrofusion joints; however, the assessment with regard to the mechanical properties must be optimised.